Earning a master’s degree in public health can help students build advanced skills for roles in health policy, epidemiology, health promotion, program evaluation, and public health leadership. Public health careers vary by role, but demand remains strong in several areas; for example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% employment growth for epidemiologists from 2024 to 2034.
According to Payscale, the average annual base salary for a Master of Public Health degree holder in the U.S. is about $81,000. Such programs are offered at numerous universities in Australia, which has a well-developed higher education system. That’s why we’re discussing leading schools offering master’s programs in public health in Australia.
Top Schools Offering Public Health Master’s Programs in Australia
1. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne, founded in 1853, is one of Australia’s leading universities. Current international rankings place it 19th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, 37th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, and 38th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025. The university has more than 58,000 students, and its main campus is in Parkville.
At UniMelb, students typically need two years to earn a Master of Public Health degree in full-time format and four years in part-time format. The program is delivered in mixed-attendance mode at Parkville, with online study options available.
The program includes core subjects, electives, and a capstone experience. Core subjects cover public health foundations, biostatistics, epidemiology, qualitative research, program development, and public health leadership and policy. Electives allow students to develop interests across areas such as global health, epidemiology and biostatistics, health policy and systems, infectious disease epidemiology, health economics, Indigenous health, climate, environment and health, and more.
Finally, the capstone options allow students to integrate and apply their learning through a professional practice unit, Public Health in Practice, or a research project.
2. Australian National University
Based in Canberra, the Australian National University is one of Australia’s leading universities and is currently ranked among the world’s top universities, including equal 32nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 73rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. It was founded in 1946 as a postgraduate research university, with undergraduate studies introduced later.
The ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy offers a Master of Public Health and a Master of Public Health (Advanced). The standard MPH is a 96-unit, two-year full-time degree, while the Advanced program is also a 96-unit, two-year full-time degree that includes a research project and thesis. ANU also lists a Graduate Certificate of Public Health and a Graduate Diploma of Public Health; the Graduate Diploma is an exit award rather than a direct-admission program.
The MPH can be completed fully in person, fully online, or as a combination of online and in-person courses. Students may study full time or part time, but international students should follow visa conditions when choosing online or part-time study. A full-time student usually needs two years to complete an MPH degree at ANU.
3. Monash University
Monash University is a Melbourne-based public university established in 1958. It has Victorian campuses at Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula, and Parkville. Current rankings place Monash equal 36th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and equal 58th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
Monash’s Master of Public Health is offered through the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, with learning connected to the Alfred Health Precinct and the Alfred Campus. Students can tailor their studies through specializations including epidemiology, global and planetary health, health economics, health policy, health promotion, and a general public health stream. A research pathway is also available.
Depending on prior qualifications, the program can be completed in one, one and a half, or two years full time. The standard entry level is 96 credit points, usually taking two years full time or four years part time, while students with relevant qualifications may receive credit and finish sooner. The program is delivered through a flexible blend of online and block-mode teaching; international students should note that Monash lists the course as available to them in on-campus mode, which includes a mix of online learning and on-site teaching.
4. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney was founded in 1850 and is Australia’s first university. It is currently ranked in the global top 25 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Its main Camperdown/Darlington campus is in Sydney’s inner west.
Sydney’s Master of Public Health is offered through the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The MPH is a 72-credit-point postgraduate coursework degree that includes 36 credit points of core units, 24 to 30 credit points of electives, and 6 to 12 credit points of capstone experience. Students can use electives toward an optional specialization in chronic disease prevention, communicable disease control, health promotion and advocacy, or research methods.
Students may complete their capstone requirement through a capstone unit, a research project, or a practice placement in public health. The program is commonly advertised as an 18-month or 1.5-year full-time degree; students should confirm current delivery options before applying.
5. Adelaide University
Adelaide University officially opened in January 2026 and began its first year as a global top 100 university. Its Master of Public Health is offered through the College of Health at Adelaide City Campus.
Adelaide University’s current Master of Public Health is advertised as an on-campus, two-year full-time program. International students should note that part-time study is not available. The program covers key areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, communicable diseases, global public health, environmental and occupational health, and health systems management.
Students can choose a pathway aligned with their interests, such as a research dissertation, thesis, or practical industry placement.
6. University of Queensland
Beginning in 1909, the University of Queensland has major campuses in St Lucia, Herston, and Gatton. The public research institution is currently ranked equal 42nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 80th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Students can earn a full-time Master of Public Health degree at UQ in two years.
The program is offered by UQ’s Faculty of Medicine and lists External and Herston as locations. Students can study online, on campus, or through a combination of both. Courses include Introduction to Environmental Health, Foundations of Public Health, Introduction to Epidemiology, and Health Systems.
Students can choose from three capstone options: a research project, a placement, or participation in the Public Health Connect Collaborative.
7. University of Western Australia
Finally, we end our list of the Australian schools offering a Master’s in Public Health degree with the University of Western Australia. UWA was established as Western Australia’s first university in 1911 and is based in Perth. It is currently ranked 77th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, placing it in the QS global top 100.
UWA’s School of Population and Global Health offers a 1.5-year Master of Public Health and a two-year Master of Public Health with Specialisation. The specialist version gives students the chance to focus on Public Health Foundations, Applied Public Health, or Public Health Methodology.
The Master of Public Health with Specialisation is available full time or part time at the Perth (Crawley) campus, with partially online delivery. It can be completed by coursework only, coursework with a practicum, coursework with a dissertation, or coursework with both practicum and dissertation options, depending on the pathway. The 1.5-year MPH is listed as ideal for domestic students, while the two-year specialist course is listed as ideal for international students.
Thanks to Australia’s education system and the range of learning resources available, local and international students interested in a public health master’s program have several strong options. The universities listed above can help you compare programs and choose the one that suits your goals, but always check the official university pages for the latest entry requirements, fees, delivery modes, and visa-related study conditions before applying.
We hope this article about Australia’s best universities offering Master’s degrees in Public Health was helpful. To learn more about learning opportunities in the country, explore our Study in Australia guide and check out the Available Programs for International Students for more open courses abroad!
