When you think of the best colleges in the world, you probably think of the United States, the United Kingdom, or even France. Over the years, a new student destination has made a firm name for itself in education and research: Australia. Its education system, and perhaps the country itself, is known for appreciating hard work. It also has its way of carrying out its job quietly and producing a large body of highly skilled individuals every year. And so it is with this nation’s universities.
The institutions are known for their comparatively easy-going demeanor, but the results they have produced over the years are astounding. Getting into an Australian university is relatively easy compared to Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford. Still, the rigorous training students undergo during their tenure in college makes them among the most employable individuals in the world.
The list below includes some of the finest schools to study in this nation and worldwide. Since Australian universities do not publicly announce their acceptance rates like other colleges in the United States, the percentages below could vary slightly from reality. The acceptance rate is usually different for each course—undergraduate, postgraduate, and even individual courses. The numbers listed are averages of all these, so read the article below.
Universities in Australia with Low Rates of Acceptance
1. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is Australia’s first higher institution, founded in 1850 as a member of the Group of Eight. Its almost 200-year-old rich history has made it one of the most prestigious academic schools in the continent. The Daily Telegraph and The Huffington Post also rank its campus among the top 10 most beautiful university properties in the world.
USYD has nine academic faculties and a vibrant body of alums: five Nobel laureates and seven Australian prime ministers. Nearly 70,000 students house its nine schools as of the 2022 data. With a campus worth any tourist spot, replete with museums of arts and academics, the institute has been ranked 25th globally by academic reputation.
Moreover, graduates from the University of Sydney are highly sought after by companies worldwide, making them the fourth most employable pool of individuals in the world based on the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
2. Australian National University
Australian National University was the first institution created by the Parliament of Australia in 1946. Located on its main campus in Canberra, ANU has been consistently ranked fourth-best in the country and 30th worldwide by QS World University Rankings 2024.
Across seven arts and social sciences, Asia and Pacific, business and economics, law, engineering, computer science, medicine and biology, and physical and mathematical sciences schools, ANU provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. education to over 17,000 students. Its vast body of alumni includes six Nobel laureates and several Rhodes Scholars.
3. University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia is a public research institution located in Perth, the state capital. Situated in the heart of Western Australia, UWA is the sixth-oldest university in the country and proudly holds the title of being the oldest institution in the entire state. With over seventy-five research and training centers, the school receives about 80% of the funds that WA universities receive yearly.
Offering a large selection of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the University of Western Australia has consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. Many peer reviews have ranked most of its academic programs as world-class.
4. Monash University
Monash University is a public institution and part of the Group of Eight, a coalition of eight leading research schools in Australia. It is based in Victoria and is the most popular one in the region. The acceptance rate in this institute in Australia is pretty competitive, with a 40% acceptance rate. It operates four campuses in Victoria and one in each of Malaysia, India, China, and Italy.
The institute houses over 80,000 students, with over 35% of students from all over the world. According to the QS World University Ranking 2025, the university was rated 37 overall worldwide, and its pharmacy and pharmacology course was the second best globally. Students can apply to its ten colleges, which comprise world-class faculties and give individuals a diverse and rich environment to hone their skills.
FAQs: Studying in Australia
Which University in Australia Has the Lowest Acceptance Rate?
The University of Sydney has the lowest acceptance rate of all the institutions above, at 30%. Low acceptance rates could be due to high academic rankings, renowned academic programs, or research-intensive environments.
Which University in Australia Has the Highest Acceptance Rate?
The University of Newcastle has the highest acceptance rate among Australian universities, with an estimated admission rate of 87%. To boost its international student body, this country’s school might accept more applicants than usual.
Unsurprisingly, the universities in this article made this list, as they are part of Australia’s most prestigious academic institutions. They all attract international students in abundance, thereby making admission very competitive. If you are readily interested in getting accepted at a well-established institution, consider the schools listed above.
We hope this article on Australian universities with low acceptance rates was helpful. To learn more about learning opportunities in this country, feel free to explore our Study in Australia and check out the Available Programs for International Students for open courses abroad!
