Universities in Australia

Australia is home to 42 universities: 36 public and 6 private, according to the government's Study Australia portal. Together with other higher education providers, they offer degrees at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate level. Most universities have more than one campus, often in several cities or states. Our directory lists 36 active universities and higher education providers in Australia, with the largest group in Sydney and others in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, the Gold Coast and regional centres.

The sector includes some of the oldest institutions in the country and newer, specialised ones. The University of Sydney says it has been "challenging traditions for 175 years" and has more than 70,000 students. UNSW Sydney was founded in 1949, and the Australian National University (ANU) was founded in 1946 in Canberra as the country's national university. Alongside the universities, the directory also lists private colleges that teach higher education courses or pathway programmes for international students.

How Australian universities work

Degrees are organised in three levels: undergraduate (bachelor's degrees), postgraduate (including master's degrees) and doctorates. Qualifications sit within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the national system for recognised qualifications. A course taken online under the AQF leads to the same qualification as the on-campus version.

Higher education providers are registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) under a provider category; Torrens University, for example, shows its TEQSA provider ID with the category "Australian University". Any provider that teaches students on a student visa must also be listed, with each course, on CRICOS, the official Australian Government register of institutions and courses for overseas students. Checking a course on CRICOS is a quick way to confirm that it can be studied on a student visa.

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, pathway studies prepare you for an undergraduate degree. They can include English language preparation, vocational (VET) qualifications and foundation studies, which usually last one year. Some universities have formal agreements with pathway providers that give credit for these studies.

Admission for international students

Australian school leavers are selected mainly on their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), a rank between 0.00 and 99.95 that is comparable across all states and territories. Most universities also use other criteria, such as a personal statement, a portfolio, an audition, an interview or a test. Applicants with foreign qualifications are assessed by each university, and entry requirements, including the English level, vary by course. If English is not your first language, most courses ask for proof of English proficiency.

The application follows a fixed order:

• apply to the university and receive a Letter of Offer
• accept the offer and pay the deposit to receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) with the CoE
• arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the whole stay

The Student visa (subclass 500) lets you stay for the length of your course, up to five years. It allows work of up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session; students who have started a research master's or a doctorate have no work-hour limit. After graduating, eligible students can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). Check current conditions with the Department of Home Affairs before applying.

Costs and funding

Tuition fees for international students are set by each provider and depend on the institution, the level of study and the location. Fees and start dates for every course are listed in the Study Australia course search and on university websites. Other fixed costs include the visa application fee, which is from AUD$2,500 per application from 1 July 2026 unless you are exempt, and OSHC, which is compulsory. Basic OSHC does not cover dental, optical or physiotherapy treatment.

Scholarships come from the government and from universities:

• Australia Awards Scholarships: government-funded grants for students from selected developing countries
• Research Training Program (RTP): support for domestic and international students in research master's and doctoral degrees, applied for through the university
• university scholarships for international students, usually based on academic merit

How to choose a university in Australia

• Course and level: check the qualification, its length and whether it is listed on CRICOS
• Type of provider: public or private university, or a college offering pathway and higher education courses
• Location: large cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, the capital Canberra, or smaller cities and regional campuses, where Study Australia notes there can be financial advantages
• Entry route: direct entry with your school results, or a foundation or pathway programme first
• Research or coursework: research degrees have no work-hour limit on the student visa and may be funded through the RTP
• Total budget: tuition, visa fee, OSHC, housing and daily living

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Australia?

According to Study Australia, there are 42 universities: 36 public and 6 private. Most have several campuses.

Can I work while studying at an Australian university?

Yes. The Student visa (subclass 500) allows up to 48 hours of work a fortnight while your course is in session. Students who have started a research master's or a doctorate have no limit.

What is the ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that shows a school leaver's position compared with other students. Universities use it, often with other criteria, to select students.

How much does an Australian student visa cost?

From 1 July 2026, the Student visa (subclass 500) costs from AUD$2,500 per application, unless you are exempt. You also need Overseas Student Health Cover for your whole stay.