The biggest and best Australian universities for online degrees.
The latest ranking of online universities places Deakin University as the best online university in Australia. According to Australian Universities statistics, Deakin excels with 21,864 online students, a satisfaction rating of 3.9 out of 5, and a world ranking of 215.
The University of New England (UNE) follows, ranking second with 16,580 online students and the highest satisfaction rating of 4.2 among the top institutions. Despite a world ranking of 924, UNE remains competitive due to its excellent teaching and support systems.
Swinburne University secures third place with 16,814 online students, a satisfaction score of 3.5, and a global ranking of 443. Known for its focus on technology and innovation, Swinburne attracts students who value academic reputation alongside online accessibility.
Ranking of Online Universities
Australian universities were ranked for online study. Three factors were considered: popularity (number of students), student experience (recent graduate ratings), and academic reputation (world ranking). These metrics balance scale, quality, and standing.
Online degrees and postgraduate courses are offered by all but one Australian university. Additionally, 36 out of 42 universities have at least 1,000 external students. The highest rated unis tend to specialise in online education and offer a wide range of online bachelor degrees.
Online Schools with 10,000+ Students
Here are the largest universities for distance education in Australia. Each university has 10,000+ students in online university courses.
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University is a multi-campus, regional university that delivers many courses online. CSU has a relatively modest world ranking.
Curtin University
Curtin University is generally ranked among the top dozen universities in Australia, and is rated the 2nd-best uni in Perth behind UWA.
Deakin University
Deakin University is a highly ranked university from Australia, rated close to the top 10 and as one of the best unis outside the Group of 8.
Griffith University
Griffith University is ranked third in Queensland and in the top 20 in Australia. It's behind UQ and QUT but ahead of JCU, USC and UniSQ.
QUT
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a strong performer in world university rankings and comes second in the state of Queensland.
Swinburne University
Swinburne University of Technology is reputable and ranked about mid-table in Australia. Its ranking is well ahead of Victoria University.
Torrens University
Torrens University Australia is ranked outside the top 1000 universities in the world, which is unsurprising for a young uni in this country.
University of New England
The University of New England's low ranking reflects a focus on teaching rather than research. UNE is a mostly distance education university.
University of South Australia
UniSA will be a top 500 university in the world but just in the bottom half in Australia when it merges to form Adelaide University.
University of Southern Queensland
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is one of the 1000 highest-ranked universities in the world and among the top 30 in Australia.
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is a top 20 university in Australia and is often ranked among the top 300 universities in the world.
Lerna Courses Ranking
The Lerna Courses ranking identifies Australia’s top online universities based on graduate satisfaction, course flexibility, and program depth. Top performers include UNE, Deakin University, and Charles Sturt University, each standing out for high satisfaction rates and diverse online programs.
This ranking favours institutions with extensive online options and positive student feedback. By focusing on satisfaction and flexibility, Lerna Courses highlights universities that best support distance learners in Australia.
The best university for an online degree depends on your study field and level. Some universities specialise in areas such as business, healthcare, or technology. Others focus mainly on postgraduate courses or offer a broad range of undergraduate options.
Best Online Masters Degrees
The top spot for Best Online Masters Degrees goes to Deakin University, with 11,125 postgraduate students, a satisfaction score of 3.9, and a world ranking of 215. CSU and QUT follow closely. Each has high satisfaction ratings of 4.0 and serves a large number of online postgraduate students.
Lerna Courses has an extensive list of the best online masters by field of study. Drawn from all the top universities for distance education, popular categories include business, management, healthcare, technology, education and psychology.
Postgraduate Courses
Working professionals can complete fully online postgraduate courses with Australian universities. Earn a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or master’s degree by studying part-time in your spare time.
ECU Online Courses
Edith Cowan University has a platform with 100% online postgraduate courses. ECU covers fields such as psychology, education and business.
JCU Online Courses
JCU Online is a platform where you can do 100% online postgraduate courses. Study for a Master of Nursing or Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
RMIT Online Courses
RMIT Online offers 100% online bachelor degrees, postgraduate masters degree programs, and self-paced Future Skills short courses.
SCU Online Courses
SCU Online is a platform where you can do 100% online postgraduate courses. The masters programs are designed exclusively for online study.
UNSW Online Courses
UNSW offers online masters and postgraduate courses. Specialisations include analytics, data science, finance, HR, technology, management.
UTS Online Courses
UTS Online is a platform where you can do 100% online postgraduate courses. The degree programs are designed exclusively for online learners.