Education verification & authentication

The Australian National University (ANU) provides several methods for verifying the authenticity of current and former students' academic status or qualifications to third parties. If you require verification of an individual's ANU studies, please utilise the methods below.  

NOTE: ANU does not provide document verification services by telephone or email. 
 

Verification through the Graduation Search Function

For graduates from 1995 onwards, ANU offers a Graduate Search function. This online tool allows third parties to authenticate the alumni status of ANU graduates quickly and reliably. 

The information displayed through the Graduate Search is a matter of public record, and can be used to confirm the name, award, honours level and conferral date of individuals who have graduated from ANU from 1995 onwards. 
 

Verification through Official Academic Documents

ANU issues several types of official academic documents, which can be used to verify relevant information about an individuals studies at ANU. The below official academic documents are available as a certified physical or certified electronic document. 

• Academic Transcript: 
  • Provides a detailed record of a student's full academic record including course enrolment, marks and grades and degree program(s).
  • More information about the document and purchase instructions can be found on the Transcript webpage. 
• Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS): 
  • Provides a record of the course enrolment and marks and grades for a degree program, information about the degree program and awarding institution. 
  • Only available to individuals who have graduated from ANU on or after December 2009. 
  • More information about the document and purchase instructions can be found on the AHEGS webpage. 
• Testamur:
  • The official certificate awarded at graduation verifying the qualification, featuring the University seal and signatures from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. 
  • Only available to individuals who have graduated from ANU. 
  • More information about the document and replacement instructions can be found on the Testamur webpage. 

NOTE: Certified electronic documents may not be available for all past students. Electronic Testamurs and AHEGS are available to those who graduated from July 2010 onwards. Electronic Academic Transcripts are generally only available to those who graduated from 1995 onwards. 
 

Document authenticity

• Physical documents:
  • Official printed ANU academic documents feature specific security features such as watermarks, holograms, and authorised signatures to verify authenticity. 
• Electronic documents:
  • For a more secure verification process, ANU issues digital academic documents through My eQuals, an online platform for secure academic record sharing. 
  • My eQuals documents are issued using advanced electronic signatures, and are both legally valid and tamper evident when viewed and shared via the My eQuals platform. 
     

Verification for pre-1995 graduates

To verify the academic record of a student who completed their ANU studies before 1995:

• Request an official physical or electronic copy of their Academic Transcript, AHEGS and/or Testamur. These documents service as official proof of the individual's studies with ANU. 
• See above for information regarding document authenticity. 
• ANU does not provide online verification for records prior to 1995. 
   

Authentication service by DFAT

As of 1 July 2014, Australian University documents (either the original or a notarised true copy) can only be legalised by DFAT if they satisfy one of the processes of verification outlined below.

Awards obtained on or after 1995

• ANU Awards obtained on or after 1995 can be verified through the Graduate search as a matter of public record.
• There is no requirement to present these documents to Student Central to verify the content:
  • Original ANU award documents containing signatures or seals obtained on or after 1995 can be authenticated or apostilled by DFAT directly on the original. 
  • Photocopies of ANU award documents must be certified as a true copy by an Australian Notary Public. The Notary Public can state in their certification that the award confers with the Graduate search.

Awards obtained before 1995

• ANU awards obtained before 1995 (including academic transcripts) cannot currently be verified through the Graduate search. 
• These documents must be verified by the ANU as a true and accurate record prior to DFAT issuing an Authentication or Apostille:
  • Documents must be presented to Student Central in person or by mail for verification. 
  • Please note that ANU will not write on an original Testamur, if you need your Testamur verified you must provide a colour photocopy which has been certified as a true copy by an Australian Notary Public. 
• You must submit your application to DFAT and complete a 'consent to verify form'. This process can take 2-3 days to complete.