Best Online Universities in Australia | Australian Universities

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 Ranking	University	Online Students	Satisfaction (Out of 5)	World Ranking
37	Australian Catholic University	1,249	3.3	674
31	Australian National University	691	3.7	78
40	Avondale University	234	4.6	9864
41	Bond University	184	4.0	735
39	Charles Darwin University	5,431	2.4	697
5	Charles Sturt University	23,324	3.3	822
20	CQUniversity	6,746	3.4	691
11	Curtin University	11,855	3.3	216
1	Deakin University	21,864	3.9	215
6	Edith Cowan University	7,933	3.8	510
35	Federation University Australia	1,954	3.2	895
27	Flinders University	4,580	3.2	364
4	Griffith University	10,205	3.7	267
30	James Cook University	3,738	3.2	429
24	La Trobe University	6,553	3.1	278
23	Macquarie University	5,549	3.2	190
14	Monash University	6,820	3.4	60
32	Murdoch University	2,026	3.2	501
8	QUT	10,101	3.5	225
26	RMIT University	4,327	3.2	237
19	Southern Cross University	7,988	3.3	713
3	Swinburne	16,814	3.5	443
9	Torrens University Australia	13,237	3.7	1883
10	UniSQ	12,357	3.5	691
34	University of Adelaide	2,331	3.0	125
33	University of Canberra	1,641	3.3	614
36	University of Divinity	283	5.0	11339
18	University of Melbourne	3,432	3.4	31
2	University of New England	16,580	4.2	924
17	University of Newcastle	5,066	3.6	307
42	University of Notre Dame	0	3.3	2638
12	University of Queensland	3,354	3.9	57
7	University of South Australia	16,114	3.3	372
15	University of Sydney	3,556	3.7	52
13	University of Tasmania	16,866	3.1	320
28	University of the Sunshine Coast	1,767	3.8	876
38	University of Western Australia	585	3.5	122
25	University of Wollongong	1,768	3.8	250
16	UNSW Sydney	7,751	3.2	55
22	UTS	3,787	3.4	163
21	Victoria University	4,878	3.5	713
29	Western Sydney University	4,454	3.1	363
Ranking	All Universities	279,973	3.5	368

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.

Masters Ranking	University	Online Postgraduates	Satisfaction (Out of 5)	World Ranking
35	Australian Catholic University	1,063	3.3	674
30	Australian National University	631	3.7	78
40	Avondale University	145	4.6	9864
38	Bond University	184	4.0	735
41	Charles Darwin University	1,328	2.7	697
2	Charles Sturt University	8,788	4.0	822
28	CQUniversity	2,047	3.5	691
18	Curtin University	2,820	3.5	216
1	Deakin University	11,125	3.9	215
12	Edith Cowan University	3,802	3.8	510
31	Federation University Australia	816	3.8	895
23	Flinders University	3,131	3.4	364
5	Griffith University	4,896	3.8	267
21	James Cook University	2,632	3.6	429
26	La Trobe University	2,990	3.3	278
27	Macquarie University	1,772	3.6	190
8	Monash University	5,871	3.4	60
39	Murdoch University	579	3.2	501
3	QUT	5,932	4.0	225
24	RMIT University	3,654	3.3	237
7	Southern Cross University	3,618	4.0	713
25	Swinburne	2,593	3.6	443
19	Torrens University Australia	3,199	3.7	1883
6	UniSQ	3,768	4.1	691
32	University of Adelaide	2,221	3.0	125
33	University of Canberra	1,548	3.3	614
36	University of Divinity	157	5.0	11339
14	University of Melbourne	3,246	3.4	31
4	University of New England	4,530	4.2	924
11	University of Newcastle	4,078	3.7	307
42	University of Notre Dame	0	3.8	2638
13	University of Queensland	2,269	3.7	57
22	University of South Australia	3,456	3.4	372
9	University of Sydney	2,856	3.7	52
16	University of Tasmania	6,947	3.2	320
37	University of the Sunshine Coast	475	3.5	876
34	University of Western Australia	399	3.7	122
20	University of Wollongong	1,520	3.9	250
10	UNSW Sydney	7,671	3.2	55
17	UTS	3,652	3.4	163
15	Victoria University	3,952	3.7	713
29	Western Sydney University	1,832	3.3	363
Ranking	All Universities	128,193	3.6	368