Australia University Rankings 2026 - Best universities in Australia
Discover the Times Higher Education Australia University Rankings 2026 and compare the 37 institutions that rank the highest in the country.
THE’s list ranks the best universities in Australia based on a comprehensive evaluation that covers areas such as teaching quality, research excellence, industry partnerships, and international outlook.
The solid methodology behind the rankings is trusted by students, academic, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide.
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Top universities in Australia 2026
| Australia Rank 2026 | WUR Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37 | University of Melbourne | 79 | 67.7 | 75.5 | 87.8 | 99.3 | 91.6 |
| 2 | =53 | The University of Sydney | 75 | 59.2 | 67.5 | 91.5 | 98.9 | 88.2 |
| 3 | =58 | Monash University | 74.1 | 54.3 | 65.5 | 94 | 99.6 | 91.9 |
| 4 | =73 | Australian National University | 71.1 | 56.7 | 62.6 | 85.7 | 86.3 | 94.2 |
| 5 | 79 | UNSW Sydney | 70 | 50.2 | 57.7 | 91.9 | 96.7 | 93.7 |
| 6 | =80 | The University of Queensland | 69.7 | 50.9 | 60.9 | 87.6 | 97.6 | 91.2 |
| 7 | 133 | University of Adelaide | 60.2 | 34.4 | 43 | 89.5 | 99.7 | 89.8 |
| 8 | =145 | University of Technology Sydney | 62 | 36.8 | 42.6 | 94.1 | 88.7 | 92.9 |
| 9 | 153 | The University of Western Australia | 61.7 | 38.7 | 45.1 | 87.6 | 98.4 | 93.4 |
| 10 | =166 | Macquarie University | 60.7 | 35.9 | 42.5 | 90.9 | 97.2 | 88.5 |
| =11 | 201–250 | Deakin University | 56.4–58.6 | 31.6 | 38.4 | 91.7 | 86.3 | 87.7 |
| =11 | 201–250 | Queensland University of Technology | 56.4–58.6 | 33 | 40.4 | 89.6 | 88.1 | 81.9 |
| =11 | 201–250 | University of Wollongong | 56.4–58.6 | 34.3 | 36.6 | 85.4 | 89.8 | 93.4 |
| =14 | 251–300 | Curtin University | 54.3–56.3 | 28.5 | 34.2 | 87.5 | 80.4 | 95.1 |
| =14 | 251–300 | Griffith University | 54.3–56.3 | 30.5 | 37.3 | 83.7 | 80.8 | 87.2 |
| =14 | 251–300 | La Trobe University | 54.3–56.3 | 29.5 | 36.8 | 88.9 | 79 | 88.7 |
| =14 | 251–300 | RMIT University | 54.3–56.3 | 35.2 | 36.2 | 82.5 | 78.2 | 93.1 |
| =14 | 251–300 | Swinburne University of Technology | 54.3–56.3 | 33 | 33.6 | 91.4 | 78.1 | 81.8 |
| =14 | 251–300 | University of Newcastle | 54.3–56.3 | 30 | 36.8 | 84.9 | 86.5 | 84.2 |
| =14 | 251–300 | University of Tasmania | 54.3–56.3 | 34.3 | 36.9 | 84.5 | 82.8 | 89.3 |
| =21 | 301–350 | Flinders University | 51.6–54.2 | 27.9 | 36.9 | 82.9 | 68.7 | 88.3 |
| =21 | 301–350 | Western Sydney University | 51.6–54.2 | 30.6 | 31.8 | 88 | 68.3 | 88.5 |
| =23 | 351–400 | Edith Cowan University | 49.9–51.5 | 22.5 | 25.8 | 89.2 | 69.6 | 89 |
| =23 | 351–400 | James Cook University | 49.9–51.5 | 28.8 | 31.9 | 82.3 | 67.8 | 81.5 |
| =23 | 351–400 | University of Southern Queensland | 49.9–51.5 | 29.3 | 26.8 | 87.1 | 51.3 | 81.5 |
| =26 | 401–500 | Australian Catholic University | 46.2–49.8 | 17.7 | 24.7 | 97.1 | 28 | 83.9 |
| =26 | 401–500 | Bond University | 46.2–49.8 | 26.8 | 21.9 | 87.3 | 25.8 | 80.4 |
| =26 | 401–500 | Central Queensland University | 46.2–49.8 | 18 | 26.9 | 86.6 | 50.2 | 80.4 |
| =26 | 401–500 | Charles Darwin University | 46.2–49.8 | 22.7 | 29.9 | 78.9 | 50.4 | 82.4 |
| =26 | 401–500 | Murdoch University | 46.2–49.8 | 25.9 | 27.4 | 80.2 | 72.7 | 94.7 |
| =26 | 401–500 | Southern Cross University | 46.2–49.8 | 24.4 | 29.9 | 72.8 | 66.9 | 79.1 |
| =26 | 401–500 | University of Canberra | 46.2–49.8 | 25.7 | 31 | 76 | 57 | 89.1 |
| =33 | 501–600 | Federation University Australia | 43.6–46.1 | 20.9 | 18.2 | 81.5 | 70.5 | 87.5 |
| =33 | 501–600 | University of the Sunshine Coast | 43.6–46.1 | 21.9 | 29.5 | 72.2 | 64.5 | 68 |
| =33 | 501–600 | Victoria University | 43.6–46.1 | 22.9 | 24.7 | 74.5 | 55.9 | 71.5 |
| 36 | 601–800 | Charles Sturt University | 39.0–43.5 | 18.8 | 20.2 | 72.3 | 52.2 | 59.2 |
| 37 | 801–1000 | The University of Notre Dame Australia | 35.5–38.9 | 32.4 | 18 | 56.5 | 27.8 | 59.1 |
Key Insights from the 2026 THE Australia University Rankings
- 37 Australian universities are featured in the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2026 showing the country’s strong presence in global higher education.
- The University of Melbourne remains the highest-ranked Australian institution holding the top spot in the country for over a decade. The University of Melbourne is recognised by its excellent research quality, contributions to the industry, and its international outlook.
- Monash University and The University of Sydney follow closely with outstanding scores for the Industry metric which reflects a universities abilities to drive innovation and collaborate with businesses through research, consultancy, and technology transfer.
- New South Wales has the most universities in the rankings, including UNSW Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, and Macquarie University, reflecting the state’s academic excellence.
- Public universities have a strong presence, with institutions like Australian National University, The University of Queensland, and The University of Western Australia.
Choosing the right university in Australia
Australia has the third-highest number of international students in the world, behind only the UK and the US – that's impressive for a nation of just 25 million people.
Students that consider the top universities in Australia should evaluate relevant factors such as programme offerings, campus culture, location, and tuition fees. Australia’s institutions offer a range of options whether you are seeking world-class research, strong industry connections, or a vibrant student experience.
Use the Australia university rankings above to explore institutions that align with your academic and career goals.
The table for the best universities in Australia was derived from data collected from the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry and international outlook. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page.
