RANZCP 2026 College Ceremony

The College Ceremony formally welcomes and congratulates those who have been admitted as Fellows of the College, as well as those who have achieved Certificates of Advanced Training. The outstanding achievements of a group of our members and individuals are also recognised through the presentation of several College awards.

All those who qualify for the May 2026 College Ceremony will receive a personal invitation. 

Those who have become a new Fellow or achieve/d a Certificate of Advanced Training after 31 March 2026, will be invited to the next College Ceremony.

You can attend the College Ceremony as a stand-alone event, without Congress registration, if you wish; there is no cost for participants or their guests to attend the College Ceremony or the refreshments that follow.

If you wish to attend both Congress and the College Ceremony, you will need to register separately to both events.

This page is updated regularly, and detailed information about the Ceremony will be emailed to attendees the week before the Ceremony event.

Please contact collegeceremony@ranzcp.org for any queries.

Schedule (AEST)

Portrait photography – 12.30 – 3.30 pm

Participant registration: 3.00 – 3.45 pm

Ceremony seating: 3.30 – 4.15 pm

Ceremony: 4.30 – 7.15 pm

Refreshments: 7.15 pm onwards

Live streaming of the College Ceremony

The College Ceremony will be streamed live from the venue, viewable by family, friends, colleagues and invitees unable to attend in person.

The stream will also be recorded and available to view on-demand.

Guest tickets

Participants are allocated up to three guests to attend the College Ceremony, but we can accommodate more if required and you inform us in advance. Please ensure you highlight the number of guests you require when you register to attend the College Ceremony. 

Please note that all guests, including children, will be seated separately from College Ceremony participants in the free seating area of the hall (guest seating is unallocated). While the College Ceremony is a family-friendly event, all children will need be accompanied by an adult guardian (other than the Ceremony participant) in the guest seating area. If both yourself and your partner are being recognised at the Ceremony, and you have children, you will need to either arrange for another adult to accompany your children in the guest seating area or make alternate arrangements.

Children or babies who do not require their own seat (e.g. in a pram) are able to attend in addition to any registered guests.

Dress code 

Participants of the College Ceremony should wear business attire, academic gown or traditional/cultural clothing to the Ceremony.

If you would prefer to wear an academic gown (optional), please note that the College does not lend or rent RANZCP Fellows gowns to wear during the Ceremony.

The College does not have a graduation cap. Optional ‘RANZCP’ sashes will be provided for all participants. Sashes will be available at the registration desks for the College Ceremony on the day. Please note that the sashes have been produced specifically for the occasion of the College Ceremony and are not official College regalia.

Photography

To mark your achievement, the opportunity to access portrait photography with family and friends will be available before the Ceremony takes place on on Monday 4th May.

Portrait photography will be available from 12.30 – 3.30pm in Main Foyers 2 & 3 on the ground floor of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Please note each participant is limited to three portrait photographs to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to receive a professional photo. Whilst gowns won’t be available to borrow/rent for wearing during the Ceremony, there will be a small number of gowns available for participants to borrow and wear during the portrait photography sessions.

Professional photographs will also be taken throughout the evening and whilst participants cross the stage. Details on how to view and download the free, high-resolution photographs will be sent to you after the Ceremony.

Guests are permitted to take photos during the Ceremony; however, we request that the flash is turned off on your device.

A photo zone will also be available in the foyer for attendees to take their own photos against a RANZCP backdrop.

On the night

Registration

The registration desk will be located in Main Foyers 2 & 3 on the ground floor of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be open from 3.00pm – 3:45pm. An email with your seat and row number will be emailed to you prior to the Ceremony, and this will act as your ‘ticket’ to the Ceremony when you check in at the registration desk. It is essential that you register, otherwise your name will not be called out during the official proceedings.

After you have registered, you will be encouraged to take your allocated seat by 4:15 pm to ensure the prompt start of the Ceremony at 4.30 pm.

Presentation

On stage, new Fellows and recipients of Certificates of Advanced Training will receive a commemorative certificate of their achievement/s to mark the occasion of the College Ceremony (please note that official certificates and FRANZCP badges are not presented on the night but are sent to you by post). Award winners will have their official framed award certificates and medallions presented at the Ceremony.

During the Ceremony, rows of participants will be ushered to the side of the stage and you will have your name checked in anticipation of your name being called to cross the stage. Staff will be on hand to assist, as well as indicate where to stand.

When your name is called, you will proceed across the stage. You will be handed your certificate, then you can pause to have your photograph taken with RANZCP President Dr Astha Tomar.

If you are being recognised as both a new Fellow and a recipient of one or more Certificates of Advanced Training, or for more than one Certificate of Advanced Training, you will cross the stage once and be recognised for all achievements at the same time.

If you are being recognised as a new Fellow and/or a recipient of a Certificate of Advanced Training as well as for a College award, you will cross the stage a second time to receive your award.

If you are being recognised for more than one College award, you will cross the stage once for each award received.

Please note, we anticipate a large number of participants in the Ceremony this year. As we will be trying hard to keep the Ceremony to time, we will be moving individuals on and off stage as quickly and efficiently as possible whilst still giving due recognition of everyone’s achievements. Due to the large and complex nature of the Ceremony, unfortunately special requests to take to the stage in a particular order or with particular individuals/children are unable to be accommodated.

Cloakroom and pram parking

A cloakroom and pram parking will be available to participants and their guests throughout the Ceremony and celebratory refreshments, from 3.00 pm – 8.30 pm in Main Foyers 2 & 3 on the ground floor of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Participants will not return to the original seats after crossing the stage, it is therefore strongly recommended that you do not bring to your seat any items you don't wish to cross the stage with. Consider using the cloak room, leaving items with your guests, or wearing clothing with pockets or a small bag.

Accessibility

We will ensure that any accessibility requirements you advise us of during the registration process are catered for. If you require assistance on the night, please speak with RANZCP staff upon arrival.

Refreshments

Stand-up drinks and canapés will be served following the conclusion of the Ceremony from approximately 7.15 – 8.15pm in Main Foyers 2 & 3 on the ground floor of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.  If you have notified the organisers of any dietary requirements, please make yourself known to a venue staff member on the evening, during the reception.

Contact

Should you have any queries, please contact the College via email at collegeceremony@ranzcp.org.