Good Universities in Australia: How to Choose the Right One for You
TL;DR: Good universities in Australia are the ones that are properly registered, strong in your subject, realistic for your grades and budget, and that lead to good graduate outcomes. UNSW Sydney and the University of Western Australia rank highest of the options compared here, while Curtin, the University of Wollongong and Deakin offer realistic options at lower entry scores. Prosper can apply to each of them for you.
"Good" means something different to every student. A university that ranks 20th in the world is not good for you if your grades do not meet its entry level or the fee breaks your budget. This guide shows how to judge an Australian university in four checks, then compares universities Prosper works with. If you want a quick view of where your results fit, check your eligibility with Prosper.
What makes good universities in Australia good for you?
Use these four checks, in this order:
- Registration. Every legitimate higher education provider in Australia is on the national register kept by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). For a student visa, your course must also be on CRICOS, the government register of courses open to overseas students.
- Subject strength. A world rank describes the whole university. Look at the subject ranking for your field too, as our guide to uni rankings explains.
- Graduate outcomes. The government's ComparED site shows results from the Student Experience Survey and the Graduate Outcomes Survey, so you can compare how students rate teaching and how graduates fare in work.
- Fit. Entry level, English score, fee, city and intake. This is where most students narrow their list.
How do these Australian universities compare?
| University | QS World Rankings 2026 | City | Group of Eight | IELTS for most master's | Example international fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNSW Sydney | 20th | Sydney (Kensington) | Yes | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | Set per course; check the course page |
| University of Western Australia | 77th | Perth (Crawley) | Yes | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | Master of Information Technology, A$52,000 a year (2026 fee) |
| Curtin University | 183rd | Perth (Bentley) | No | 6.5, no band below 6.0 (some courses 6.0) | Bachelor of Commerce, A$41,146 in Year 1 (2027 fee) |
| University of Wollongong | Joint 184th | Wollongong, New South Wales | No | 6.5, no band below 6.0 (Master of Information Technology) | Master of Information Technology, A$21,384 a session (2026 fee) |
| Deakin University | Joint 207th | Melbourne (Burwood) | No | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | Master of Information Technology, A$45,800 a year (2027 fee) |
The Group of Eight is an alliance of eight research-intensive Australian universities. Membership signals research strength and usually higher entry levels and fees, but it is not the only marker of a good degree. For a fuller fee picture, see our Australia tuition fees guide.
Which university suits which student?
| If you want | Look first at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A top-20 world rank and a Sydney base | UNSW Sydney | 20th in QS 2026 and 19th in QS 2027 |
| Group of Eight research strength in Perth | University of Western Australia | 77th in QS 2026, with a 10% or 20% master's scholarship tied to your grades |
| Engineering, mining or computing in Perth | Curtin University | Mineral and Mining Engineering is 4th in the world by QS subject |
| A coastal city near Sydney with a strong IT master's | University of Wollongong | A 30% scholarship for applicants with 85% or more in their degree |
| Melbourne with a wide course range | Deakin University | Trimester intakes in March and July; read our Deakin University guide |
Intakes and scholarships
| University | 2027 intakes | Flagship international scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| UNSW Sydney | Terms start 15 February, 31 May and 13 September (no July intake) | International Scientia Coursework Scholarship: full tuition or A$20,000 a year |
| University of Western Australia | February and July | Global Excellence Scholarship: 10% (average 65+) or 20% (average 75+) off master's tuition |
| Curtin University | February and July | John Curtin Global Excellence Scholarship: 40% off tuition |
| University of Wollongong | Autumn from 1 March, Spring from 26 July | Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship: 30% off tuition (85%+ prior degree) |
| Deakin University | March and July | Deakin Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: 50% or 100% of tuition (85%+ prior average) |
Scholarship terms and closing dates change with each intake, so confirm the current rules on each university's page before you rely on them.
Course choice matters more than the badge
Two universities with similar ranks can differ a lot in the course you want. Compare the actual programme: length, entry route, English score and fee. For IT, our guide to the Master of Information Technology in Australia lines up several universities side by side.
Visa rules to plan around
From 2 October 2026, new Department of Home Affairs rules limit who can apply for a student visa while already in Australia and whether partners and children can be included. You will also need to meet the genuine student requirement and show living-cost funds, set at A$29,710 a year for a single student under the rule in force since May 2024.
Applying from Sri Lanka
- A/L results: each university converts Sri Lankan A/Ls in its own way. Curtin, for example, lists a Sri Lankan A/L equivalent on each course page (5 for the Bachelor of Commerce, 8 for Engineering), so check your course page or send your results for assessment.
- Degrees from Sri Lanka: for master's entry, universities set grade averages such as 65% or 75% for UWA's scholarship tiers and 85% for the Wollongong and Deakin awards above. Your transcript average decides which awards you can reach.
- Process: our guide on how to apply to university in Australia covers each step from offer to Confirmation of Enrolment and the visa.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest ranked university in Australia among these options?
UNSW Sydney is the highest ranked of the universities compared here, at 20th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 19th in the 2027 edition.
What is the Group of Eight?
The Group of Eight is an alliance of eight research-intensive Australian universities, including UNSW Sydney and the University of Western Australia.
How do I check that an Australian university is genuine?
Check the provider on the TEQSA National Register and the course on CRICOS, the Australian Government register of courses open to international students on student visas.
What IELTS score do good universities in Australia need?
Most master's courses at UNSW Sydney, the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, the University of Wollongong and Deakin University ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
Do Australian universities offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. Examples include the UNSW International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, the UWA Global Excellence Scholarship and the Deakin Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship, each with its own grade requirement.
PS: The right Australian university depends on your grades, subject and budget, not on the ranking alone. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will shortlist the universities on this page that fit your profile.
References
- Checking provider registration or course accreditation, TEQSA, https://www.teqsa.gov.au/students/checking-provider-registration-or-course-accreditation (accessed 05/11/2026)
- CRICOS, Australian Government Department of Education, https://cricos.education.gov.au/ (accessed 05/11/2026)
- ComparED, QILT, https://www.qilt.edu.au/comparED (accessed 05/11/2026)
- QS World University Rankings 2026, Study Australia, https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/qs-world-university-rankings-2026 (accessed 05/11/2026)
- UNSW claims Australia's top spot in world university rankings, UNSW Sydney, https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2026/06/unsw-claims-australias-top-spot-for-the-first-time-in-preeminent-world-university-rankings (accessed 05/11/2026)
- The Group of Eight, Go8, https://go8.edu.au/about/the-go8 (accessed 05/11/2026)
- English language requirements, UNSW Sydney, https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Academic calendar, UNSW Sydney, https://www.unsw.edu.au/student/managing-your-studies/key-dates/academic-calendar (accessed 05/11/2026)
- International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, UNSW Sydney, https://www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au/scholarships/id/1988 (accessed 05/11/2026)
- English language requirements, University of Western Australia, https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/pathways-and-eligibility/english-language-requirements (accessed 05/11/2026)
- International Course Guide, University of Western Australia, https://www.assethub.uwa.edu.au/api/public/content/6c9d60476b3d4e75afe43f5efb9b9373?v=0781fb37 (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Global Excellence Scholarship, University of Western Australia, https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/scholarships-and-fees/scholarships/international-scholarships/global-excellence-scholarship (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Curtin University, QS Top Universities, https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/curtin-university (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Bachelor of Commerce, Curtin University, https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/offering/course-ug-bachelor-of-commerce--b-comrce/?region=int (accessed 05/11/2026)
- International scholarships, Curtin University, https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/scholarships/international-scholarships/ (accessed 05/11/2026)
- University of Wollongong, QS Top Universities, https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-wollongong (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Master of Information Technology, University of Wollongong, https://www.uow.edu.au/study/courses/master-of-information-technology/ (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Wollongong, https://www.uow.edu.au/study/scholarships/international/postgraduate-academic-excellence-scholarship/ (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Deakin University, QS Top Universities, https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/deakin-university (accessed 05/11/2026)
- International Course Guide, Deakin University, https://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0034/274669/deakin-international-course-guide.pdf (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Deakin Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship, Deakin University, https://www.deakin.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/deakin-vice-chancellors-international-scholarship (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Changes to Student visa application rules (subclasses 500 and 590), Department of Home Affairs, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/changes-to-student-visa-application-rules-500-590 (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Migration (financial capacity) instrument, explanatory statement, Federal Register of Legislation, https://legislation.gov.au/F2024L00529/asmade/2024-05-09/es/original/pdf (accessed 05/11/2026)
