Choosing graduation gift wording helps family and friends celebrate your achievement whilst contributing toward your future. Based on hundreds of Australian graduation celebrations using PocketWell, here are 20 wording examples for university, high school, and other educational milestones.
Why Graduation Wishing Wells Work
Modern Australian graduates prefer practical contributions toward their next chapter over random gifts. Graduation wishing wells let guests contribute toward:
- Travel and gap year adventures
- Job search and interview expenses
- Professional wardrobe and equipment
- Further study or training costs
- First apartment setup and moving
According to PocketWell data, graduation wishing wells receive an average of $600-$3,000 across 15-50 contributors, with most guests giving $30-$150 depending on relationship closeness and graduation level.
20 Graduation Gift Wording Examples
University Graduation (5 Examples)
Example 1: Future-Focused "I did it – graduated with a [DEGREE] from [UNIVERSITY]! If you'd like to celebrate with a gift, contributions toward my job search and starting my career would be incredibly helpful. Thanks for supporting me through this journey!"
Example 2: Starting Career "Finally finished my degree! If you're thinking of a graduation gift, contributions toward professional clothes, equipment, and setting up for job interviews would help launch my career. Grateful for all your support!"
Example 3: Gap Year Plans "Graduated! Before starting work, I'm planning a gap year adventure through Southeast Asia. If you wish to give a gift, contributions toward my travels would help make this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible."
Example 4: Further Study "Finished my undergrad and heading to [POSTGRAD PROGRAM]! If you'd like to contribute toward my graduation, cash for books, equipment, and further study costs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for believing in my education!"
Example 5: Real World Ready "Degree complete! Now comes the fun part: adulting. If you're thinking of a graduation gift, contributions toward moving, job searching, and starting real life would be amazing. Can't believe I actually made it!"
High School Graduation (5 Examples)
Example 6: Year 12 Achievement "Finished Year 12! If you'd like to celebrate my graduation, contributions toward my gap year travels before uni would help create amazing experiences. Thanks for supporting me through high school!"
Example 7: University Preparation "HSC done! Heading to [UNIVERSITY] next year. If you're thinking of a graduation gift, contributions toward textbooks, laptop, and uni setup would be incredibly helpful. So excited for this next chapter!"
Example 8: Trade/TAFE Path "Graduated Year 12 and starting my [TRADE/APPRENTICESHIP]! If you wish to give a gift, contributions toward tools and equipment would help set me up for success. Thanks for all your support!"
Example 9: Achievement Celebration "Made it through Year 12! If you'd like to mark this milestone, contributions toward my future plans would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to celebrating with everyone!"
Example 10: Next Chapter "High school graduate! If you're thinking of a gift, cash toward my plans (still figuring them out!) would give me options as I work out my next move. Thanks for being part of my journey!"
Postgraduate & Masters (3 Examples)
Example 11: Masters Achievement "Finished my Masters in [SUBJECT]! If you'd like to celebrate, contributions toward moving cities for my new job would be incredibly helpful. Thanks for supporting my extended student years!"
Example 12: PhD Completion "Doctor at last! After [X] years of research, I'm finally graduating. If you wish to give a gift, contributions toward my career transition and relocation would be amazing. Grateful for all your support!"
Example 13: Professional Qualification "Completed my [PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION]! If you're thinking of a graduation gift, contributions toward setting up my practice/business would help turn years of study into career reality."
Career Change Graduation (3 Examples)
Example 14: Mature Age Graduate "Did it – graduated at [AGE] with a degree in [FIELD]! If you'd like to celebrate this achievement, contributions toward my career change transition would be incredibly helpful. Never too late to follow your dreams!"
Example 15: Second Career "Career change complete! Graduated from [PROGRAM] and starting fresh in [FIELD]. If you wish to give a gift, contributions toward professional setup would help launch this new chapter. Thanks for supporting my leap!"
Example 16: Mid-Career Study "Balanced full-time work and study for [X] years and finally graduated! If you're thinking of a gift, contributions toward celebrating properly (maybe a holiday!) would be well-deserved. Thanks for understanding all those cancelled plans!"
Achievement Focus (4 Examples)
Example 17: Against the Odds "They said I couldn't do it, but I graduated! If you'd like to celebrate this achievement, contributions toward my next adventure would help prove them even more wrong. Thanks for believing in me!"
Example 18: First in Family "I'm the first in my family to graduate university! If you wish to mark this milestone, contributions toward starting my career would help make everyone's support worthwhile. So grateful for this opportunity!"
Example 19: Overcoming Challenges "Despite [CHALLENGE], I graduated! If you're thinking of a gift, contributions toward my future would help make those tough years pay off. Thanks for supporting me through it all!"
Example 20: Team Effort "We did it! (Yes, 'we' – I couldn't have graduated without your support!) If you'd like to contribute toward my graduation celebration, cash for job searching and career setup would be amazing. This degree belongs to all of us!"
How to Share Your Graduation Wording
1. Graduation Invitations Include wording with your celebration invitations, keeping it grateful and forward-looking.
2. Social Media Announcement Share your graduation news with wording and wishing well link on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.
3. Family Message Send personal messages to family with your wording and direct link, emphasizing your plans.
4. Email Announcement Send graduation update email with wording and link to extended family and friends.
5. At Graduation Party Display a sign with your wording and QR code for guests who want to contribute.
Setting Up Your Graduation Wishing Well
PocketWell makes it simple:
- Create your graduation event (2 minutes, free)
- Add your chosen wording and achievement details
- Upload graduation photos
- Share link or QR code with family and friends
- Receive contributions directly to your account
You receive 100% of gift amounts – guests pay a small service fee (3-3.5%) plus standard payment processing costs.
Graduation Wishing Well Best Practices
Wording Tone:
- University grads: Professional, career-focused
- High school grads: Excited about future possibilities
- Postgrad/mature students: Grateful for long-term support
- Career changers: Emphasize fresh start and courage
What to Mention:
- Specific plans (travel, job search, further study)
- Gratitude for support through education
- Future goals and next steps
- Keep it humble but proud of achievement
Common Graduation Wishing Well Questions
Q: Is it appropriate to ask for money for graduation? Absolutely in 2026 Australia. Most guests prefer contributing toward your future over guessing what you need.
Q: How much do Australian guests give for graduation? University graduation: $50-$200 (family), $30-$80 (friends). High school: $30-$100 (family), $20-$50 (friends). Postgraduate: $80-$300 (close family), $50-$150 (friends).
Q: Should I specify what I'll use graduation money for? General categories like "travel," "job search," or "career setup" work well. Avoid overly specific expense lists.
Q: Can I have a graduation wishing well for Year 12? Yes! Many Australian Year 12 graduates set up wishing wells for gap year travels or university preparation.
Q: What if I'm not sure what I'm doing after graduation? That's perfectly fine! Use wording like "contributions toward my next adventure" or "helping me start the next chapter."
Q: Should graduation wording be humble or confident? Balance is key. Be proud of your achievement whilst grateful for support. Avoid sounding entitled or demanding.
Q: Can mature age students have graduation wishing wells? Absolutely! Your achievement is equally worthy of celebration. Emphasize the courage of career change and fresh starts.
Next Steps
Ready to set up your graduation wishing well?
- Choose your favorite wording example (or customize!)
- Create your free graduation wishing well
- Add your graduation photos and achievement details
- Share with family and friends
Your graduation wording helps loved ones contribute meaningfully to your next chapter rather than giving random gifts. Keep it genuine, forward-looking, and grateful for the support that got you here.
For more graduation celebration guidance, explore: