• Section 1 - Purpose / Objectives
• Section 2 - Scope / Application
• Section 3 - Definitions
• Section 4 - Policy Statement
• Section 5 - Procedures
• Part A - Roles/Responsibilities
• Part B - Identifying Students for Completion
• Part C - Producing a Testamur
• Part D - Conferring an Award and Issuing a Testamur
• Part E - Replacing a Testamur
• Part F - Revoking and Surrendering a Testamur
• Part G - Authenticity
• Section 6 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose / Objectives

(1) This procedure describes the process by which students who have successfully completed the requirements for an Award of Victoria University have their Award conferred by the issuance of a Testamur.

Section 2 - Scope / Application

(2) This procedure applies to all Higher Education and Vocational Education students who have completed an Award course and are entitled to receive the following at the time of conferral:

1. Testamur; and
2. Academic Transcript; and
3. AHEGS (for Higher Education graduates of Self Accredited Awards only).

Section 3 - Definitions

(3) AHEGS (Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement)

Section 4 - Policy Statement

(4) Nil

Section 5 - Procedures

Part A - Roles/Responsibilities

Part B - Identifying Students for Completion

(5) The Victoria University Student Management System, VU Connect, identifies those students who may have potentially fulfilled the course requirements based on the course completion rules. Each College representative assesses eligibility by checking the student's academic report on the on-line completions webform and formally approves or rejects eligibility. Once the approved status has been set, the Completions Officer runs a final system report and if all data is valid, the student is conferred an award of the University. All awards are conferred on the 22nd of each calendar month (excepting December which is the 15th.) All eligible students receive email notification of their successful completion and conferral of the award. Higher Education students are advised that they may receive their Testamur at the closest graduation ceremony round or inabsentia.

(6) AQF certification documentation related to vocational education qualifications will be issued within 30 calendar days of all requirements being met.

(7) No student is eligible to be issued a Notification of Completion, Transcript, AHEGS or Testamur if they have any results or fees outstanding, or does not have a valid USI (vocational education students only unless exemption applies).

(8) If a higher education graduand does not return the graduation attendance form the Testamur will be held by the University until the graduate arranges to collect it.

Part C - Producing a Testamur

(9) The title of the Award which appears on the Testamur is as recorded on the schedule.

(10) The name printed on the Testamur is the student's legal name as recorded on the student management system at the time of printing the Testamur.

(11) Testamurs are printed on parchment paper, 375mm by 265mm, as approved by the University Council.

(12) Testamurs must include the following elements:

1. an embossed Victoria University logo (includes RTO Name);
2. NRT Logo (Vocational Education only);
3. National Provider Number 3113 (Vocational Education only) (Note - Reference to be changed to RTO Code 3113 for new parchment Testamur paper order);
4. the wording: This is to certify that;
5. the full name of the graduate;
6. the wording; for higher education qualifications: having satisfied the requirements of the University were granted the.. ; for vocational education qualifications: has fulfilled the requirements for;
7. the full title of the Award conferred (for Self Accredited Awards) OR the title of the AQF Award by its code and full title (for Externally Registered Awards);
8. for higher education (if applicable), the course or specialisation undertaken;
9. for vocational education qualifications if applicable:
   1. Achieved through Australian Apprenticeship Arrangements industry descriptor;
   2. Identify units / modules are delivered other than English, These units / modules have been delivered and assessed in;
   3. State / territory training authority logo;
10. the date, month and year of the Award;
11. the wording, The qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework;
12. the name and signature of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor;
13. the University Seal; and
14. the unique certificate identifier.

(13) In addition to the above Testamurs produced for Affiliate and Dual Awards must also include the following information:

1. Inclusion of the partner institution's official logo (only if agreed at the time of course approval). No other form of endorsement of acknowledgement can be approved.
2. For Affiliate Awards the relationship is acknowledged by the words 'This programme of study for this course was undertaken in affiliation with the [name of institute].
3. For Dual Awards the relationship is acknowledged by the words: 'This course was undertaken jointly with [name of institution]. It is also expected that the Testamur issued by the partner institution will acknowledge Victoria University in a similar manner.

Part D - Conferring an Award and Issuing a Testamur

(14) On completion of the requirements for a:

1. single Award course students will be eligible to receive a Testamur for that Award;
2. double Award course students will be eligible to receive a Testamur for each Award;
3. dual Award students will be eligible to receive a Testamur from VU and the partner institute.

(15) Students who are enrolled in a nested Self Accredited Award, and who are continuing their studies towards a higher qualification, will be eligible to receive evidence of completion of the first Award, by way of a Notification of Completion.

(16) Students who are not continuing their studies towards a higher Award must withdraw and by exiting their studies will be eligible to receive a Testamur for the completed qualification.

(17) All University Awards are conferred by Council and are certified by the issuance of a Testamur.

(18) Testamurs are issued to Graduands at a designated University ceremony or in absentia.

(19) VU maintains a Graduation Register of all Testamurs issued to graduates. The records are retained for a minimum period of 30 years. This register contains sufficient information to identify correctly the:

1. holder of the Award;
2. Award by its full title (and code for externally registered Awards);
3. date of issue/conferral.

(20) Prior to the conferral of the Award graduands, can apply to the Assessment and Completions Unit for an official Notification of Completion if they require it for employment, Visa or further study purposes.

Part E - Replacing a Testamur

(21) A Testamur will be replaced for a fee. The relevant form must be completed which can be downloaded from the student portal. An authorised statutory declaration must be submitted at the time of application.

Part F - Revoking and Surrendering a Testamur

(22) An Award must be formally revoked under the authority of University Council following an investigation that the Award has been incorrectly conferred on a recipient:

1. for which that recipient was not qualified; or
2. because of fraud or dishonesty; or
3. as a result of administrative error.

(23) A memo outlining the reason for the revocation is prepared for the Vice-Chancellor's consideration by the Assessments and Completions Unit. The Vice-Chancellor, after conducting an investigation, will recommend revocation if appropriate to University Council. The process for conducting the investigation and providing the graduate with an opportunity to respond is detailed in Part 5 of the Awards Regulations 2014 .

(24) If revocation occurs, the graduate is advised to return all official artefacts associated with the issuing of the Award. The details of the revocation will be noted on the Graduation Register and the student record.

(25) In situations where a student has completed an Award which articulates directly into a higher AQF level Award there is no requirement for the student to surrender the Testamur at the time of enrolment, or when the higher Award is conferred.

Part G - Authenticity

(26) The use of the University Seal deems that the award has been conferred by Council. The seal will appear in raised relief on both the front and back of the parchment. A unique identifier is also printed on the Testamur. This number is recorded on the register of all awards conferred in accordance with the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy. The date of collection of all Testamurs also forms part of the register. The official Statement of Attainment is also printed on our secured foiled paper. All results and wording related to the record is generated from the Victoria University Student Management System, VU Connect. The official paper has the following wording preprinted at the bottom of each page:

1. Security and Verification
   1. The VU logo in the top left hand corner of an original transcript includes a blue embossed VU diamond with a gloss overlay and plain black text. The embossed diamond will appear in raised relief on the front of the transcript and as an indentation on the back. The authorised signatory of Victoria University, indicates the transcript is valid. If an enquirer has the written authority from the named student, Victoria University will check the accuracy of information in this document.

Section 6 - Guidelines

(27) Nil