General FAQs

I've received my Fellowship, when will I receive an invitation to attend a ceremony?

An invitation is emailed each year in February, to new Fellows who were admitted in the period from 01 February – 31 January.

I have not been admitted to Fellowship, but I have completed a Clinical Diploma/Clinical Foundation in Palliative Medicine. Can I attend the ceremony?

Yes, you will receive an invitation to register to attend the ceremony if you have only completed the Clinical training.

Can I accept both my Fellowship and my Clinical Diploma/Clinical Foundation in Palliative Medicine at the same ceremony?

Yes, if you have been admitted to Fellowship and have also completed the Clinical Diploma/Clinical Foundation, you can attend the ceremony for both of these achievements.

What if I can’t attend?

There will be an option on the invitation to register for the following year’s ceremonies. You will then receive the invitation again the next year.

What if I haven’t received an invitation?

You can contact us if you believe you should have received an invitation.

How many convocation ceremonies are held each year?

There are 3 to 4 ceremonies held each year:

1. Alternating in larger capital cities: Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane each year.
2. In the city where Congress will be held for that year.
3. Regional ceremonies are held every two years in alternating Australian states.
4. Aotearoa New Zealand will host a ceremony every two years.

Do I have to wait to attend a ceremony in my home city?

No, the invitation will list all the ceremonies being held that year, and you will be able to register for any one of them being held in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand.

When I receive an email invitation, does this automatically secure me a spot at the ceremony?

No, you will need to register for your preferred ceremony to secure your spot. Places fill up quickly, so it’s recommended to register as soon as you receive the invitation.

If I don’t accept an invitation to a ceremony, will I receive another one?

You won’t receive another automatic invite. To receive an invitation for the following year, you will need to register or join the waitlist through the invite.

Before attending Ceremony

If I can no longer attend the ceremony that I’ve registered for, can I attend another ceremony at a later date?

Contact us as soon as possible if you’re not able to attend, as this will help us with our arrangements for the day. You can then either register for a place at another ceremony that year, if any spots are available, or register to receive the invitation again for the following year.

I’ve given the wrong bonnet and gown size, can I change these?

Yes, contact us and provide the correct details, and we’ll update them for you.

Will I receive any information prior to the day?

We’ll send out a briefing to new Fellows attending four weeks prior to the event. This’ll provide you with information about the venue, how to collect your academic gowns, professional photography, an overview of what happens at the ceremony, and other relevant details for the day.

How many guests can I invite?

When you register, the guest allowance will be advised. Guest numbers depend on the venue capacity for each individual ceremony. Children under the age of two who don’t require a seat are not included in this allocation.

Will I receive tickets for my guests?

Your guests won’t receive a physical ticket for their seats. Family and friends can sit in any of the unreserved seating areas when the hall opens. There’ll be ushers who can assist them once they’re in the hall.

On the day

Where and when do I pick up my academic dress?

College-supplied academic dress can be collected in the Robing Room before the start of the ceremony. Please note: the room will close 30 minutes before the event starts.

The Robing Room details, including opening and closing times, will be in your briefing document.

Can I wear my own personal academic dress?

Yes, you can wear your own academic dress and, if needed, you can store it in the Robing Room before the ceremony begins.

What side is the tassel on my bonnet worn?

The tassel is worn on the right. After you’ve been on stage, introduced to the President of the College, and congratulated by your Division, Faculty, or Chapter President, you can move it to the left side.

What happens if I know I’m going to be running late to the ceremony?

If you won’t make it before the Robing Room closes, please contact us and we can make sure your academic attire and gift bag are placed on your allocated seat.

You’ll receive a briefing four weeks before the event, which’ll provide you with a contact number for the day.

Is there a cloakroom or anywhere I can store my personal belongings during the event?

We recommend leaving valuables with family or friends who are attending. If needed, you can leave items in the Robing Room, but the College accepts no responsibility for any lost personal items.

Will I receive my testamur (certificate) on the day?

No, you’ll receive your testamur a couple of months after obtaining your Fellowship, sent via registered post. If you have already received your testamur, you can bring it with you on the day to be framed. On the day, you’ll receive a letter of congratulations to take on stage for photos.

Are children allowed in the Ceremony Hall?

Yes, children can attend the ceremony. If children or babies get restless during the ceremony and you or your guest(s) need to leave the hall, there’ll be a designated family area with a live stream of the ceremony so you won’t miss out on seeing the full event.

Can my guests take a pram into the Ceremony Hall?

We recommend leaving prams outside the hall, as they may block doors when guests are exiting or in case of an emergency evacuation.

Is there allocated seating for my guests?

Your guests won’t have allocated seats. They can choose their own seats in the area designated for guests.

If your guests need accessible seats, please note this in your registration so we can do our best to accommodate them.

What photography will be available on the day?

A professional photographer will be available before and after the ceremony for individual and family photos. There’ll also be photographs taken of all new Fellows on stage being welcomed by College representatives.

There’ll be kiosks where you can preview and pay for your photos on the day. Alternatively, you can prepay for your photography before the event. A link’ll be provided in the briefing you receive before the event.

We recommend arriving early to avoid any queues, as both the Robing Room and Photography areas get very busy from midday onwards.