Public Universities in Australia

Public Universities in Australia

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Dec 8, 2025 17:20 IST

Looking for admission in Australia? Check out the top public universities in Australia for studying in this article along with all major details about them. Also check why they are popular in this article.

public universities in australia

Majority of the universities in Australia are government held and are called public universities. These public universities in Australia are TEQSA and AQSA accredited and known for offering quality education, high end research and good graduate outcomes. They are also top ranked not just globally but also nationally. Millions of international students apply to study at public universities in Australia.

The public universities in Australia are not just a few but more than 80% of higher institutions are government held and funded. Admissions here are competitive but acceptance rates are not very low. There is a common eligibility criteria for Indian students and their qualifications have to be in sync with ATAR in Australia. There are also multiple benefits of studying in Australia at public universities. These universities are best in terms of reputation, education and global recognition for research. If you want to know more then check out this article.

Table of contents
  • What are Public Universities in Australia?
  • List of Public Universities in Australia
  • Best Public Universities in Australia for Studying
  • Other Public Universities in Australia
  • Why Study at Public Universities in Australia?

What are Public Universities in Australia?

Public universities in Australia are those that are run and administered by the government of Australia. Out of 47 universities in Australia, 37 are public universities. Majority of these public universities are ranked globally for their education, research and employment rates. To name a few - UniMelb, UTS, USyd, UNSW and others are some popular public universities in Australia which are also Level 1 universities in Australia.

List of Public Universities in Australia

Here is a list of top 10 public universities in Australia for international students:

Public Universities in Australia 

QS - World University Rankings 2026

THE - World University Rankings 2025

The University of Melbourne

#19

#39

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) 

#20 

#83

The University of Sydney 

#25 

#61 

Australian National University 

#32

#73

Monash University 

#36 

#58

The University of Queensland 

#42 

#77

The University of Western Australia 

#77 

#149

The University of Adelaide 

#82

#128

The University of Technology Sydney 

#96 

#154

RMIT University

#125

201-250

Top public universities annually rank among the top 100 universities in the world. Let us now discuss them in detail.

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Best Public Universities in Australia for Studying

Based on the list, let us discuss each public university in Australia:

University of Melbourne

A classic sandstone university with a strong research pulse. It’s particularly known for humanities, medicine, and law. The campus feels like a mix of Hogwarts and a tech incubator with heritage buildings wrapped around cutting-edge labs. Students have access to industry networks across Victoria.

Location

Melbourne, Victoria

Known For

Research excellence, medicine, law, humanities

Top Courses

Medicine, Law, Business, Arts, Computer Science

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 38,000–65,000/year

Scholarships

Melbourne International Scholarships, Graduate Research Scholarships

Graduate Outcomes

Very high employability; strong global placements

UNSW

Engineering and business are its crown jewels, but UNSW is also known for its entrepreneurial culture. It’s plugged tightly into industries, which means internships aren’t a treasure hunt as they’re built into the system.







Location

Sydney, New South Wales

Known For

Engineering, business, innovation culture

Top Courses

Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Law

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 40,000–60,000/year

Scholarships

UNSW International Scientia, Future of Change Scholarships

Graduate Outcomes

High industry absorption, strong tech & finance pathways

University of Sydney

The grand sandstone archways hide a vibrant ecosystem of arts, health sciences, business, and engineering. The University of Sydney blends old school academic prestige with modern research horsepower.

Location

Sydney, New South Wales

Known For

Australia’s oldest university; prestige

Top Courses

Health Sciences, Law, Engineering, Business, Arts

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 42,000–65,000/year

Scholarships

Sydney Scholars Awards, Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships

Graduate Outcomes

Global recognition; strong employment in healthcare, law & business

ANU

ANU sits in the heart of the nation’s capital Canberra, surrounded by policymakers and researchers. It’s a magnet for academics who live and breathe data, evidence, and big questions.

Location

Canberra, ACT

Known For

Policy research, social sciences, sciences

Top Courses

Political Science, Economics, Data Science, Physics

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 38,000–50,000/year

Scholarships

ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship

Graduate Outcomes

Excellent for research, public policy, government roles

Monash University

A global giant with campuses spread across the world. Monash shines in medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and international research collaborations.

Location

Melbourne, Victoria

Known For

Medicine, pharmacy, global campuses

Top Courses

Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, IT, Business

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 35,000–60,000/year

Scholarships

Monash International Merit, Research Training Program

Graduate Outcomes

Strong in healthcare, pharma, engineering & research roles

UQ

Known for life sciences, environmental science, and business, UQ mixes a relaxed Brisbane vibe with serious academic rigour. Its research institutes keep rolling out breakthroughs.

Location

Brisbane, Queensland

Known For

Biotechnology, environmental science

Top Courses

Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Business, IT

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 38,000–55,000/year

Scholarships

UQ Academic Excellence, International Science Scholarships

Graduate Outcomes

Strong research pathways; high employability in life sciences

UWA

UWA stands out for earth sciences, ocean studies, engineering, and life sciences. Its location gives it a unique edge, close to major mining, energy, and marine industries.

Location

Perth, Western Australia

Known For

Earth sciences, marine sciences, engineering

Top Courses

Earth Science, Marine Science, Engineering, Medicine

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 35,000–55,000/year

Scholarships

Global Excellence Scholarships

Graduate Outcomes

Strong placements in mining, energy & environmental sectors

University of Adelaide

One of the Group of Eight, and strong in engineering, agriculture, wine studies, and health sciences. University of Adelaide known for personalised teaching and a calmer, student-friendly city.

Location

Adelaide, South Australia

Known For

Agriculture, engineering, wine research

Top Courses

Agriculture, Engineering, Health Sciences, Wine Studies

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 32,000–50,000/year

Scholarships

Global Citizens Scholarship, Higher Education Scholarships

Graduate Outcomes

Strong industry ties in agriculture, engineering & research

UTS

UTS is modern, industry driven, and practical. It is especially respected for communications, design, engineering, and IT. The vibe: sleek buildings, startup energy, hands-on learning. Check why UTS is a popular public university in Australia.

Location

Sydney, New South Wales

Known For

Tech, design, industry-driven courses

Top Courses

IT, Design, Engineering, Communication

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 35,000–50,000/year

Scholarships

UTS International Scholarships for Excellence

Graduate Outcomes

High employability in creative, tech & engineering sectors

RMIT

RMIT is the go-to university for design, architecture, media, aviation, IT, and vocationally oriented programs. There’s a strong global industry link, especially in design and tech sectors.

Location

Melbourne, Victoria

Known For

Design, architecture, applied technology

Top Courses

Design, Architecture, Media, Aviation, IT

Fees (Approx.)

AUD 32,000–45,000/year

Scholarships

RMIT International Excellence Scholarship

Graduate Outcomes

Excellent for creative industries, tech & hands-on role

Other Public Universities in Australia

Other public universities in Australia apart from the already mentioned ones are:

Why Study at Public Universities in Australia?

Studying at public universities in Australia offers numerous advantages, including access to globally ranked institutions, a strong emphasis on practical and research-focused learning, and excellent post-study work opportunities. Other reasons are:

  • Many public Australian universities consistently rank among the world's top universities. 
  • Degrees from these institutions are highly valued and recognised by employers worldwide, enhancing your career prospects.
  • As government-funded entities, public universities in Australia operate under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000. This ensures high educational standards and legal protection for international students throughout their studies.
  • The curriculum offered at public universities in Australia links experience based learning and allows placements, helping them grow professionally as well. 
  • Public universities in Australia are hubs of innovation, offering extensive research opportunities across medicine, IT, and engineering.
  • International students can work part-time in Australia (up to 48 hours per fortnight) while studying. They may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) after graduation, allowing them to stay and work in Australia for two to several years.
  • Most of these public universities are located in popular Australian student cities that are ranked for their safety, convenience and facilities.

If you are also interested in studying at public universities in Australia then sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling to seek guidance.

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About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i Read Full Bio
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Anuradha
All courses in ANZ
Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp Read Full Bio
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