Commencement checklist

Complete your enrolment

Visit the Get started page to make sure you have completed your enrolment.

Order your student card

Once your graduate research administrator advises that your enrolment is finalised, please arrange your student card. Since some University systems update overnight, we recommend that you do this the day after your enrolment has been finalised. You will need this card for identification and to access University facilities.

Remember to organise your unique student identifier (USI)

If you don’t already have a USI, now is the time to create your USI. You will need at least one valid form of identification for this. If you are an international student, you can create your USI once you have arrived in Australia.

Meet with your supervisors

Your first week is a great chance to have an informal meeting with your supervisors. This could be as simple as getting a coffee together. This meeting is a good opportunity to get to know each other and ask any questions about your degree.

Connect with your graduate research administration staff

Get in touch with your local graduate research administration staff to find information about your induction tasks.

Find your workspace and meet other researchers

As you settle in for your first week with your colleagues or others in your department, take the chance to introduce yourself and start building connections. Why not get lunch together at some point in the week?

Learn about the graduate researcher orientation

Find out when the next graduate researcher orientation is and explore our online orientation resources.

Access the student portal and check your details

Take a moment to ensure your address and contact details are correct, and remember to update any changes in the future to keep your information up to date.

Explore the Graduate Research Hub

The Graduate Research Hub will be your first point of information throughout your degree. Here, you’ll find helpful guides and resources for all stages of your candidature. You can even bookmark the website and you’ll easily be able to refer to it whenever you need.

Start looking at your mandatory training

It’s important that you start thinking about these early as you’ll need to complete these within six months of starting your degree. These include:

• Research integrity online training (RIOT)
• Preventing Sexual Misconduct training
• Conflict of Interest
• Managing data @ Melbourne online training – this training isn’t mandatory but is highly recommended so you can create a data management plan for your research project.

Start looking at your mandatory health and safety risk inductions

Depending on your project, you may need to complete specific health and safety inductions for lab work, field research or handling hazardous materials. These assessments are often required for gaining access to certain buildings and labs, so it’s best to complete them as soon as possible. You will be advised of these by your supervisors or at your local induction.

Check your student email

This is the University’s primary way to contact you, so make sure you’re keeping an eye on it (at least twice per week). You can also set up automatic forwarding to your personal email account.

Find out what facilities and resources are available

The University has a wide range of facilities and resources to support your work. Visit the resources and facilities pages to learn about is already available to you.

Familiarise yourself with the health and wellbeing support services

It’s important you know where to go for help. The University of Melbourne offers a range of resources and services via the student health and wellbeing digital hub and the student services directory.

Download the SafeZone mobile app

We’re committed to ensuring that our staff and graduate researchers feel safe. You can download the free mobile phone app SafeZone from Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store.

Explore how the library supports you as a researcher

The Researcher@Library is an excellent resource hub that offers access to valuable materials, training and the latest updates to support your research. Find more information via Resources for candidates.

Discover your network

You can explore the Graduate Student Association, the University of Melbourne Student Union, and departmental and other seminars and events related to your research. Networking is a great way to meet people and learn about opportunities related to your research.

Explore peer activities

Visit the Peer activities page to see what social and academic events are available.

Start preparing your Supervisory Agreement

As you begin working with your supervisors, you can use the Supervisory Agreement as a guide to discuss how you’ll work together and any specific arrangements for your project. Remember, this agreement should be completed as soon as possible.

Start reviewing University policies and guidelines

There are a number of policies you should be familiar with as you move forward with your research to ensure you are  fulfilling your academic responsibilities.

• Graduate Research Training Policy (MPF1321)
• Academic Progress Review Policy (Graduate Research) (MPF1363)
• Responsible Research and Research Integrity
• Intellectual Property Policy (MPF1320)
• Authorship Policy (MPF1181)
• Managing Conflicts of Interest Policy (MPF1366)
• Research integrity
• LMS Subjects and Communities Catalogue: Conflict of Interest
• Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research

Review the graduate research processes

Get familiar with essential graduate research processes, including important milestones such as confirmation and thesis preparation.

Get familiar with the Learning Management System (LMS)

Log into the University’s Learning Management System (LMS) and explore the GradSpace community.

Determine any additional facilities and resources

Your project might require additional resources (such as unique software and equipment) or access to other facilities. Now is a good time to figure out what you might need to support your research.

Establish your routine

By this point, you should have a better idea of your schedule, including your research and personal commitments. Try to establish a routine that balances study, work and downtime to keep you organised and refreshed. Don’t forget that you can reach out to your supervisors if you need support.

Develop your skills

Are there new skills you think you might need to learn to support your research? You can visit the Skills development page to find resources and development opportunities.

Complete your mandatory training and risk assessments

You’ll need to ensure these are completed by the time your confirmation comes around.

Register for an ORCID number

Your ORCID number (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is your international and digital identifier, which distinguishes you from other researchers and is one of the first steps towards building your identity as a researcher.

Complete your Supervisory Agreement

You should complete your Supervisory Agreement as soon as possible to ensure you can submit it by the deadline listed on the form. Once the agreement is complete, remember to attach this to your commencement form and submit them together.

You should then review your supervisory agreement as needed throughout your candidature. Your progress review meetings might be a good time to do this.

Submit your commencement form

Now is the time to submit your commencement form. This will verify that you understand your commitments as a graduate researcher. Make sure you include your ORCID number on the form.

Start thinking ahead to pre-confirmation

It may seem like a while away, but your pre-confirmation will be here before you know it.

Start developing your communication skills early

Complete the Diagnostic English Language Assessment (DELA) to receive a custom plan on how to enhance your academic language skills and find out which aspects you most need to focus on.

Celebrate your progress

You’ve made it through your first three months! It might not seem like much, but this is a big achievement, so take pride in your progress and give yourself credit for every step you take.

Organise your unique student identifier (USI)

Don’t forget to organise your USI. If you are an international graduate researcher, you will need to create and submit your USI once you arrive in Australia.

Check your commencement date

Your commencement date will usually be the same for both institutions. However, this can vary depending on which partner institution you are completing your joint PhD with. You can contact your IRTG Coordinators if you are unsure what your commencement date should be.

Make sure you have completed your Individual Graduate Researcher Agreement (IGRA)

Your IGRA represents the contract between you, your supervisors and both institutions and will confirm details of your joint PhD candidature. Your IGRA should be completed within the first three months of candidature.

Meet with your supervisors

As a joint PhD graduate researcher, you will be jointly supervised by supervisors from both institutions. You should find an opportunity to get to meet with your supervisors and ask any questions about your degree. This meeting can be in person or online.

This is also a good opportunity to discuss any specific requirements for your project, which can then be included within your Supervisory Agreement. While some elements in the Supervisory Agreement may already be in your IGRA, you are required to complete both forms.

Visit the Being a joint PhD candidate page

Here, you’ll find information on how to manage your joint PhD candidature, including your expectations and annual reviews, and other requirements and obligations for PhD candidates.

Apply for Study Away

If you are commencing at your partner institution you will need to request a Study Away for the entire duration of your stay. Ideally, this should be completed at the time of your enrolment so your Study Away is approved by the time you commence at your partner institution. For detailed instructions, visit the Study Away page.