Public Universities in Australia
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.
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.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| #19 |
#39 |
|
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW) |
#20 |
#83 |
| The University of Sydney |
#25 |
#61 |
| #32 |
#73 |
|
| #36 |
#58 |
|
| The University of Queensland |
#42 |
#77 |
| #77 |
#149 |
|
| The University of Adelaide |
#82 |
#128 |
| The University of Technology Sydney |
#96 |
#154 |
| #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:
- Charles Darwin University
- James Cook University
- La Trobe University
- Macquarie University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- University of Canberra
- University of Tasmania
- Western Sydney University
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.
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