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59 Best Public Universities in Australia

University of Melbourne tops our list of 59 Public universities in Australia at #19 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is followed by University of New South Wales (QS World #19) and University of Sydney (QS World #25). Across the whole list there are 1,159 courses to choose from.

59 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
25Ranked
MU Murdoch University logo
QS World #423 #25 in Australia Australia

Murdoch University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#423 QS World University Rankings 2026
#25 in Australia
27Ranked
EC Edith Cowan University logo
QS World #487 #27 in Australia Australia
#487 QS World University Rankings 2026
#27 in Australia
29Ranked
SC Southern Cross University logo
QS World #576 #29 in Australia Australia

Southern Cross University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#576 QS World University Rankings 2025
#29 in Australia
31Ranked
SU Swinburne University of Technology logo
#31 in Australia Australia

Swinburne University of Technology

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#31 in Australia · by research impact
3,042,028 citations · h-index 513
32Ranked
UW University of Western Sydney logo
#32 in Australia Australia

University of Western Sydney

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#32 in Australia · by research impact
2,982,636 citations · h-index 478
34Ranked
UN University of New England logo
#34 in Australia Australia

University of New England

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#34 in Australia · by research impact
1,375,401 citations · h-index 357
35Ranked
CQ Central Queensland University logo
#35 in Australia Australia

Central Queensland University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#35 in Australia · by research impact
1,260,153 citations · h-index 414
36Ranked
CS Charles Sturt University logo
#36 in Australia Australia

Charles Sturt University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#36 in Australia · by research impact
1,119,617 citations · h-index 323
37Ranked
AC Australian Catholic University logo
#37 in Australia Australia

Australian Catholic University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#37 in Australia · by research impact
986,073 citations · h-index 308
38Ranked
CD Charles Darwin University logo
#38 in Australia Australia

Charles Darwin University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#38 in Australia · by research impact
903,898 citations · h-index 295
40Ranked
FU Federation University Australia logo
#40 in Australia Australia

Federation University Australia

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#40 in Australia · by research impact
487,777 citations · h-index 223
41Ranked
AD Australian Defence Force Academy logo
#41 in Australia Australia

Australian Defence Force Academy

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#41 in Australia · by research impact
316,524 citations · h-index 195
44Ranked
AM Australian Maritime College logo
#44 in Australia Australia

Australian Maritime College

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#44 in Australia · by research impact
96,188 citations · h-index 113
45Ranked
LS Linuwel School logo
#45 in Australia Australia

Linuwel School

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#45 in Australia · by research impact
45,409 citations · h-index 98
47Ranked
BH Box Hill Institute logo
#47 in Australia Australia
#47 in Australia · by research impact
11,930 citations · h-index 55

How these universities are ranked

30 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #19 (University of Melbourne) to #587 (Bond University); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: University of Melbourne is cited most (31,503,308 citations). 8 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

59 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, Victoria (2), New South Wales (2) and Australian Capital Territory (1) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is University of Sydney, founded in 1850. Monash University is the largest, with 86,000 students.

Inside the course list

By level: 677 bachelor's, 247 diploma, 114 master's and 20 foundation. The most common subjects are Business & Management (214), Arts, Design & Architecture (125), Engineering (111) and Medicine & Health Sciences (93). The usual length is 4 years and 2 years. 98% are full-time and 16 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Spring (93% of courses with a stated intake) and Fall (84% of courses with a stated intake). Western Sydney University offers the widest choice, with 294 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 6 of these universities. Monash University is the least expensive at USD 30,000 a year and University of Sydney the most at USD 33,000; the middle of the range is about USD 32,000. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Public in Australia?

University of Melbourne (QS World #19), University of New South Wales (QS World #19) and University of Sydney (QS World #25) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Public in Australia?

Of those with published fees, Monash University is the least expensive at about USD 30,000 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many public universities offer Public in Australia?

59 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public course take in Australia?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with 2 years the next most common.

When do Public courses start in Australia?

Spring is the main intake — 93% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Fall is the second.

Can I study Public online with a university in Australia?

16 of these courses are listed as online.

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