25 Best Universities In Australia For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Australia, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 42 universities and colleges in Australia, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 42 universities in Australia, University of Melbourne and University of Sydney are the top-performing schools in Australia. This list covers both public and private institutions in Australia.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Australia. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Australia.

Rank University Founded Year City Type
1 University of Melbourne 1853 Melbourne Public
2 University of Sydney 1850 Sydney Public
3 Monash University 1958 Melbourne Public
4 University of New South Wales 1949 Sydney Public
5 University of Queensland 1909 Brisbane Public
6 Australian National University 1946 Canberra Public
7 University of Adelaide 1874 Adelaide Public
8 University of Western Australia 1911 Perth Public
9 University of Technology Sydney 1988 Sydney Public
10 University of Wollongong 1951 Wollongong Public
11 Macquarie University 1964 Sydney Public
12 Curtin University 1966 Perth Public
13 Queensland University of Technology 1989 Brisbane Public
14 Griffith University 1971 Brisbane Public
15 RMIT University 1992 Melbourne Public
16 Deakin University 1974 Melbourne Public
17 Swinburne University of Technology 1908 Melbourne Public
18 James Cook University 1961 Townsville Public
19 University of Newcastle 1965 Newcastle, Australia Public
20 University of South Australia 1856 Adelaide Public
21 Western Sydney University 1989 Sydney Public
22 Flinders University 1966 Adelaide Public
23 La Trobe University 1964 Melbourne Public
24 University of Tasmania 1890 Hobart Public
25 Victoria University 1916 Melbourne Public

How do I get admission to the best universities in Australia?

Applying to the universities in Australia involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Australia to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Australia?

Tuition fees at Australia’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 12,000 AUD to 114,000 AUD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 16,400 AUD to 89,000 AUD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Australia!

As we cover the best universities in Australia for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Australia for International Students

1 University of Melbourne

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#1 in Australia
#1 in Oceania
#22 in World
Percentage of International Students
41%
Total Number of students - 52,151
International Number of students - 21,381

The University of Melbourne is the top university in Australia and among the best in the world. It is also among the oldest as it was established in 1853, more than a century ago. The institution has several locations, with the main campus being in Parkville. The rest are located in Southbank, Burnley, Dookie, Creswick, Werribee, and Shepparton.

Agriculture
Biomedicine
Design
Fine Arts
Music

2 University of Sydney

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#2 in Australia
#2 in Oceania
#32 in World
Percentage of International Students
35%
Total Number of students - 73,000
International Number of students - 25,532

The University of Sydney, founded in 1850, is one of the top universities in the world. It caters to around 73,000 students and offers degree programs in Arts, Sciences, Business, and Medicine. With more than 170 years in history, the university has built several campuses across Sydney and a research station to oversee the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef.

Science
Visual Arts
Social Work
Advanced Computing
Applied Science

3 Monash University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#3 in Australia
#3 in Oceania
#33 in World
Percentage of International Students
45%
Total Number of students - 60,211
International Number of students - 27,393

Monash University is acknowledged for its brilliance in the research and teaching field. The institution belongs to the list of top 100 universities globally in the three major world university rankings. It has a dynamic community made up of its diverse population of staff and students.

Actuarial Science
Computer Science
Engineering
Health Sciences
Information Technology

4 University of New South Wales

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#4 in Australia
#4 in Oceania
#34 in World
Percentage of International Students
44%
Total Number of students - 48,077
International Number of students - 21,170

The University of New South Wales, also known as UNSW, has been a consistently top-performing institution in Australia. It belongs with other research-focused universities in the country in the so-called Group of Eight. Aside from this, the school’s excellent performance is also acknowledged globally. Students will surely get a top-notch quality of education with brilliant facilities and expert teachers.

Environmental Management
Music
Economics
Commerce
Engineering

5 University of Queensland

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#5 in Australia
#5 in Oceania
#35 in World
Percentage of International Students
37%
Total Number of students - 56,278
International Number of students - 20,982

One of the most prestigious universities in Australia is the University of Queensland. This internationally recognized institution started its humble beginnings in 1909. And at present, it enjoys its position as one of the leading and top-ranked universities globally. It has been providing top-quality teaching and research in higher education and has generated outstanding graduates that have been successful in different industry sectors.

Agricultural Science
Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management
Journalism
Social Work
Wildlife Science

6 Australian National University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#6 in Australia
#6 in Oceania
#36 in World
Percentage of International Students
36%
Total Number of students - 22,527
International Number of students - 8,000

A globally recognized institution, Australian National University takes pride in providing quality research and education. Since its establishment in 1946, they have received numerous achievements for its contribution to academic and research fields in Australia and globally. Today, both local and international students in the university are highly satisfied with the excellent educational services given to them.

Environment and Sustainability
International Business
Visual Arts
Applied Data Analytics
Psychology

7 University of Adelaide

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#7 in Australia
#7 in Oceania
#59 in World
Percentage of International Students
41%
Total Number of students - 22,181
International Number of students - 9,003

The University of Adelaide is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Australia. It consistently achieves high rankings, placing in the top 1% of universities in the world. The university offers a broad range of programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels taught by an academic staff composed of experts, Rhodes scholars, and five Nobel laureates.

Marine Biology
Mineral Geoscience
Music Theater
Project Management
Software Engineering

8 University of Western Australia

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#8 in Australia
#8 in Oceania
#94 in World
Percentage of International Students
16%
Total Number of students - 25,000
International Number of students - 4,000

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a public educational institution. Its main campus is situated in the vibrant city of Perth. While it was founded in 1911, it officially opened its doors to students in 1913. Today, it is known as one of Australia’s highly distinguished centers of learning known for its impactful research and high-quality education.

Modern Languages
Sport and Exercise Sciences
Human Rights
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Agribusiness

9 University of Technology Sydney

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#9 in Australia
#9 in Oceania
#107 in World
Percentage of International Students
26%
Total Number of students - 45,221
International Number of students - 11,944

The University of Technology Syndey is a research-intensive institute of higher education. It is located in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Ultimo. Furthermore, it is recognized as the Land Down Under’s best young university.

Biomedical Physics
Sustainability and Environment
Interior Architecture
Media Arts and Production
Creative Intelligence and Innovation

10 University of Wollongong

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#10 in Australia
#11 in Oceania
#137 in World
Percentage of International Students
37%
Total Number of students - 34,554
International Number of students - 12,800

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a public institute of tertiary studies. It is located in the Illawarra region’s famous city of “The Gong.” Moreover, UOW is known not just in Australia, but worldwide, for being a top center of learning that utilizes modernized techniques in education and research.

Journalism
Writing and English Literatures
Ecology and Conservation Biology
Physical Geography
Social Work

11 Macquarie University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#11 in Australia
#12 in Oceania
#153 in World
Percentage of International Students
30%
Total Number of students - 30,249
International Number of students - 8,951

Known to be one of the best higher education institutions in Australia, Macquarie University also belongs to the top 1% of universities all across the globe based on the major World University Rankings. It excels in both research and specialized teaching for the different subject areas it offers. With superb facilities and exceptional opportunities, the students will definitely have a great study experience at this university.

International Studies
Applied Finance
Biodiversity and Conservation
Game Design and Development
Engineering

12 Curtin University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#12 in Australia
#13 in Oceania
#167 in World
Percentage of International Students
23%
Total Number of students - 59,221
International Number of students - 13,598

Curtin University is one of the well-respected institutions in Australia. It is a globally recognized university that has partnered with different institutions and industry sectors to provide high-quality education. Aside from having several international campuses, it also offers online courses and academic programs for students who are unable to study on one of its campuses while still providing the same quality of higher education.

Animation and Game Design
Theatre Arts
Architectural Science
Tourism and Hospitality Essentials
Early Childhood Education

13 Queensland University of Technology

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#13 in Australia
#14 in Oceania
#174 in World
Percentage of International Students
19%
Total Number of students - 38,432
International Number of students - 7,414

Queensland University of Technology is focused on providing their students with real-life experiences. With over 50,000 students, they are committed to providing the best education so their students can face the world and fulfill their desires in their field of choice. Learn to face the world with this Queensland University as they provide excellent courses in the fields of research, teaching, and entrepreneurship.

Architecture and Built Environment
Education
Information Technology
English Language and Pathway Programs
Engineering

14 Griffith University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#14 in Australia
#15 in Oceania
#203 in World
Percentage of International Students
18%
Total Number of students - 49,595
International Number of students - 9,019

Griffith University is a top-ranked public institution in Brisbane, Australia. It is part of the world’s top 2% universities, a testament to its academic and research excellence. Its six campuses – Digital, Gold Coast, Logan, Mount Gravatt, Nathan, and South Bank – welcome around 50,000 students.

Acting
Applied Financial Advice
Biomedical Science
Child, Youth and Family Practice
Clinical Exercise Physiology

15 RMIT University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#15 in Australia
#16 in Oceania
#215 in World
Percentage of International Students
21%
Total Number of students - 84,267
International Number of students - 18,000

RMIT University is a public research university whose academic focus is primarily on STEM fields. The university is one of the most prolific universities in terms of research, funded by a 1.5 billion AUD endowment. Students considering research should definitely have this university on their list of potential universities to apply.

Architecture
Design
Art
Social Science
Mathematics

16 Deakin University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#16 in Australia
#17 in Oceania
#219 in World
Percentage of International Students
20%
Total Number of students - 66,262
International Number of students - 13,000

Deakin University is an excellent university in Australia, being ranked in the top 1% of the universities in the world. With its various courses in different subjects and high-quality professors, Deakin University also places high in student satisfaction rankings. Ever since its founding in 1974, the university have been providing its students with an excellent education.

Biomedical Sciences
Civil Engineering
Information Technology
Public Health
Software Engineering

17 Swinburne University of Technology

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#17 in Australia
#18 in Oceania
#221 in World
Percentage of International Students
29%
Total Number of students - 16,186
International Number of students - 4,667

Established in the early years of the 1900s, Swinburne University of Technology consists of four total campuses in the city of Melbourne, Australia. The university is focused on providing students with an education that will push them to their limits and better themselves. They are centered on teaching their students to make a difference in the world through innovative programs.

Design
Aviation
Education Studies
Science
Law

18 James Cook University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#18 in Australia
#20 in Oceania
#241 in World
Percentage of International Students
30%
Total Number of students - 21,927
International Number of students - 6,639

James Cook University is a public institution in Townsville, Australia. This university welcomes 21,000+ students yearly and is part of the Top 300 universities worldwide. Moreover, it is leading in several fields, such as marine and freshwater biology and biodiversity conservation.

Advanced Science
Business
Engineering
Environmental Science and Management
Geology

19 University of Newcastle

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#19 in Australia
#21 in Oceania
#242 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 39,137

Founded back in 1965, the University of Newcastle has always presented excellence in both fields of research and teaching ever since. The school focuses on coming up with solutions to problems internationally. Its diverse community works on achieving this along with the university’s partnerships all over the globe.

Business Analytics
Computer Science
Education
Information Technology
Nursing

20 University of South Australia

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#20 in Australia
#22 in Oceania
#282 in World
Percentage of International Students
18%
Total Number of students - 37,000
International Number of students - 6,800

The University of South Australia offers numerous diverse academic programs at all levels. Students have a wide array of options as its courses and programs are designed explicitly for industry-specific fields. In addition, the institution’s teaching approach relies on the traditional and modern ways of learning but has put more priority on providing online courses, making them readily available for students across the globe.

Aboriginal Cultures and Australian Society
Primary Education
Contemporary Art
Film and Television
Data Science

21 Western Sydney University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#21 in Australia
#23 in Oceania
#285 in World
Percentage of International Students
13%
Total Number of students - 48,450
International Number of students - 6,300

Western Sydney University (WSU) is a reputable Australian public university. It is based in Sydney’s Greater Western region. Furthermore, it is known as a leading center of excellence in the country. Other than that, WSU is also popular worldwide as it is included in various global rankings’ top 400 higher education institutes.

Arts
Business
Communication
Midwifery
Information Systems

22 Flinders University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#22 in Australia
#24 in Oceania
#307 in World
Percentage of International Students
20%
Total Number of students - 26,139
International Number of students - 5,099

Flinders University takes pride in being part of the top 2% of universities worldwide and the leading university in its region. The university is also deeply committed to research and is even a founder of the Innovative Research Universities network. The institution, which welcomes 26,000+ students every year, offers more than 500 programs.

Accounting
Commerce
Creative Arts
Creative Industries
Civil Engineering

23 La Trobe University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#23 in Australia
#25 in Oceania
#314 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 38,639

La Trobe University has built a reputation for itself, being one of the top-performing institutions in Australia for over 50 years now. Aside from its main campus in Melbourne, the school also has other campuses in Albury-Wodonga, Mildura, Sydney, and more. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, ranging from arts and humanities to business, engineering, sciences, and law.

Archaeology
Cybersecurity
Civil Engineering
Early Childhood Education
Dental Science

24 University of Tasmania

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#24 in Australia
#26 in Oceania
#324 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 33,879

As one of Australia’s oldest institutions, the University of Tasmania (UTAS) acknowledges and takes pride in its rich history, even promoting indigenous culture and life on campus. UTAS offers many outstanding undergraduate and graduate programs that can surely engage students’ minds and broaden their learning experience.

Agribusiness
Maritime Engineering
Philosophy
Laboratory Medicine
Environmental Design

25 Victoria University

View Page
StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#25 in Australia
#28 in Oceania
#414 in World
Percentage of International Students
28%
Total Number of students - 40,000
International Number of students - 11,000

Victoria University is a public educational institute for students at the tertiary level. It is situated in the modernized city of Melbourne. Adding to this, VU is a multi-campus institution that is consistently included in various world university rankings, signifying its excellence in education and research.

Counselling
Finance
Global Public Health
Human Resource Management
International Community Development

We know that choosing your dream school in Australia not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Australia, make sure to visit our list of the best public and private universities in Australia! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!