Australia's top universities revealed in global rankings list
University of Melbourne retained its position as the top-rated Australian institution in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
But it slid six places, from 13th to 19th in the world.
University of NSW ranked 20th, down from 19th in the 2025 edition, while Sydney University dropped seven spots to 25.
Australian National University ranked 32nd in the world, dropping two places compared to last year.
Regional universities didn't fare much better, also tumbling down the prestigious world rankings.
The University of Wollongong was the top regional uni at 184th, down 17 places.
The University of Newcastle came in next at 227th, down 48 places while La Trobe University fell to 233rd from 217th,
The University of Tasmania was down 21 places to 314th.
The most jaw-dropping fall went to the University of Canberra, which plummeted 91 places to 494.
Charles Sturt University slipped down two ranking bands from 851-900 to 951-1000, but the Australian Catholic University improved one ranking band from 901-950 to 851-900.
Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said the results remained "impressive".
"This comes against a backdrop of global uncertainty and mixed messaging from our largest research partner, the US, which threatens our very capacity to deliver on our mission of education and research," she said.
"And yet despite these headwinds, Australia continues to punch above its weight, ranking fifth overall as the best higher education system in the world.
"The rankings take into account academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, the faculty members per student ratio, international student and staff ratios and sustainability."
University of Melbourne retained its position as the top-rated Australian institution in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
But it slid six places, from 13th to 19th in the world.
University of NSW ranked 20th, down from 19th in the 2025 edition, while Sydney University dropped seven spots to 25.
Australian National University ranked 32nd in the world, dropping two places compared to last year.
Regional universities didn't fare much better, also tumbling down the prestigious world rankings.
The University of Wollongong was the top regional uni at 184th, down 17 places.
The University of Newcastle came in next at 227th, down 48 places while La Trobe University fell to 233rd from 217th,
The University of Tasmania was down 21 places to 314th.
The most jaw-dropping fall went to the University of Canberra, which plummeted 91 places to 494.
Charles Sturt University slipped down two ranking bands from 851-900 to 951-1000, but the Australian Catholic University improved one ranking band from 901-950 to 851-900.
Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said the results remained "impressive".
"This comes against a backdrop of global uncertainty and mixed messaging from our largest research partner, the US, which threatens our very capacity to deliver on our mission of education and research," she said.
"And yet despite these headwinds, Australia continues to punch above its weight, ranking fifth overall as the best higher education system in the world.
"The rankings take into account academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, the faculty members per student ratio, international student and staff ratios and sustainability."
University of Melbourne retained its position as the top-rated Australian institution in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
But it slid six places, from 13th to 19th in the world.
University of NSW ranked 20th, down from 19th in the 2025 edition, while Sydney University dropped seven spots to 25.
Australian National University ranked 32nd in the world, dropping two places compared to last year.
Regional universities didn't fare much better, also tumbling down the prestigious world rankings.
The University of Wollongong was the top regional uni at 184th, down 17 places.
The University of Newcastle came in next at 227th, down 48 places while La Trobe University fell to 233rd from 217th,
The University of Tasmania was down 21 places to 314th.
The most jaw-dropping fall went to the University of Canberra, which plummeted 91 places to 494.
Charles Sturt University slipped down two ranking bands from 851-900 to 951-1000, but the Australian Catholic University improved one ranking band from 901-950 to 851-900.
Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said the results remained "impressive".
"This comes against a backdrop of global uncertainty and mixed messaging from our largest research partner, the US, which threatens our very capacity to deliver on our mission of education and research," she said.
"And yet despite these headwinds, Australia continues to punch above its weight, ranking fifth overall as the best higher education system in the world.
"The rankings take into account academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, the faculty members per student ratio, international student and staff ratios and sustainability."
University of Melbourne retained its position as the top-rated Australian institution in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
But it slid six places, from 13th to 19th in the world.
University of NSW ranked 20th, down from 19th in the 2025 edition, while Sydney University dropped seven spots to 25.
Australian National University ranked 32nd in the world, dropping two places compared to last year.
Regional universities didn't fare much better, also tumbling down the prestigious world rankings.
The University of Wollongong was the top regional uni at 184th, down 17 places.
The University of Newcastle came in next at 227th, down 48 places while La Trobe University fell to 233rd from 217th,
The University of Tasmania was down 21 places to 314th.
The most jaw-dropping fall went to the University of Canberra, which plummeted 91 places to 494.
Charles Sturt University slipped down two ranking bands from 851-900 to 951-1000, but the Australian Catholic University improved one ranking band from 901-950 to 851-900.
Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said the results remained "impressive".
"This comes against a backdrop of global uncertainty and mixed messaging from our largest research partner, the US, which threatens our very capacity to deliver on our mission of education and research," she said.
"And yet despite these headwinds, Australia continues to punch above its weight, ranking fifth overall as the best higher education system in the world.
"The rankings take into account academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, the faculty members per student ratio, international student and staff ratios and sustainability."
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