Attendance at a graduation ceremony

Do I have to attend a graduation ceremony?

Answer ID 202 | Last updated on 03/04/2024 01.38 PM

From 01 January 2023, it is a requirement of the Australian Government for all students who have studied any units in Australia, in person, to have a current Unique Student Identifier (USI) number or an approved exemption. You can record and verify your USI in studentConnect under the Personal Information tab. The University of Western Australia cannot confer any awards without a USI or approved waiver from the Australian Government.

You do not have to attend a ceremony to formally graduate with your award; just apply to graduate. When you apply to graduate in studentConnect, we give you the option to choose:

  1. Attend and receive your certificate during a Graduation Ceremony, held in Winthrop Hall on the Crawley campus in Perth; or
  2. Graduate in-absentia and have your certificate mailed to you.

If you do not apply to graduate within two years of completing your course, your award will be automatically conferred in-absentia. Once your award is conferred in absentia you will miss out on the opportunity to attend a future graduation ceremony for your award.

In addition to receiving a hard copy of your original award certificate (Testamur) at your ceremony (or posted if selected in-absentia); you will have access to certified digital copies of your award certificate and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) via My eQuals.

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