Level 1 universities in Australia refers to the most prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, reputed, and top-rated in terms of education, facilities, faculty, and even placements. These include the Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, The University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, Monash university, University of Western Australia, and University of Adelaide. A lot of international students dream about applying to the level 1 universities in Australia 2025 to pursue various courses. Australia is home to many reputed universities offering a wide range of courses. Academic excellence and growing career opportunities are also a few factors contributing to the rising popularity of Australian universities among international students. The general requirements for getting into these level 1 universities in Australia for international students include scoring a higher GPA, English proficiency exam proof (IELTS/TOEFL), GRE or GMAT scores, valid student visas for Australia from India, etc. The fee range for these Top Universities in Australia is expensive.The average fee range for level 1 universities in Australia 2025 is anywhere between AUD 40,000 to AUD 90,000 per annum. Read this article to learn more about level 1 universities in Australia for international students 2025.
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The following are some of the key features of level 1 universities in Australia:
High Rankings: The level 1 universities in Australia are always among the high-ranking universities as per the QS, THE, and US News Report rankings.
Strong Research Focus: They are specially recognised for their excellent research facilities and contributions to different fields.
Global Recognition: Once a student graduates from these universities, they get placed in top-reputed companies all over the world.
Vibrant Student Culture: Many Level 1 universities provide a dynamic and engaging student experience
Also known as tier 1 universities, level 1 universities are the most prestigious educational institutions that consistently rank at top positions worldwide. The level 1 universities in Australia are those that rank among the top positions in the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) assessment framework. Only a handful of colleges get this prestigious accreditation, pointing towards the highest quality of education, research and 24*7 student support. All these universities fall in the category of top-ranker.
International students can go through the below-mentioned overview of Level 1 Universities in Australia in 2025.
Level 1 Australian Universities for International Students 2025::
Particulars | Details |
Top Level 1 Universities in Australia Universities |
|
Level 1 Universities in Australia Fees | AUD 40,000 to AUD 90,000 |
Level 1 Universities in Australia Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree, GRE/GMAT, IELTS/TOEFL, Academic Transcripts, LOR, and other supporting documents. |
Salary after Level 1 Universities in Australia | AUD 70,000 - AUD 150,000/ per annum |
The first step to Study in Australia for Indian Students is to choose which is the best education institution based on university ranking Australia 2025, availability of courses, and tuition fees. Therefore, we have created a level 1 universities in Australia 2025 list for international students as per QS World University Rankings 2025 and Times Higher Education’s Rankings.
University Name | QS Rankings 2025 | University ranking Australia 2025 |
13 | 39 | |
18 | 61 | |
19 | N/A | |
30 | =73 | |
37 | =58 | |
40 | 77 | |
77 | =149 | |
82 | =128 | |
167 | 201-250 | |
N/A | =154 |
These level 1 Australian universities rank among the top as per the QS world rankings 2025. Here is why you should apply to these level 1 universities in Australia.
To get admission in level 1 Australian universities, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Criteria | Requirement |
Academic (UG) | Year 12 with 65–75% / ATAR ~70+ |
Academic (PG) | Bachelor’s with GPA 5/7 or 2.5–3.0/4 |
IELTS (UG/PG) | 6.5 overall (min 6.0 per band); some courses: 7.0+ |
TOEFL / PTE | TOEFL 79–95, PTE 58–65 |
Entrance Tests | GMAT/GRE for some PG courses (e.g. MBA, Engineering) |
Other Requirements | SOP, LORs, resume; portfolios for creative courses; subject prerequisites |
PhD/MRes | Strong GPA, research proposal, supervisor approval |
Age | Minimum 17 years at course start |
Visa Requirements | CoE, Subclass 500 visa, proof of funds (~AUD 24K+), OSHC, GTE statement |
There are several reasons to study at level 1 universities in Australia as an international student. Below is a list of factors that are exciting enough to make you apply to the level 1 universities in Australia.
All the level 1 universities in Australia are globally ranked and have a great reputation to uphold. Therefore, graduating from such esteemed institutions will give one an amazing kickstart in a career in a foreign country.
Level 1 Australian Universities | QS - World University Rankings 2025 |
The University of Melbourne | #13 |
The University of Sydney | #18 |
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) | #19 |
Australian National University | #30 |
The University of Queensland | #40 |
Monash University | #37 |
The University of Western Australia | #77 |
The University of Adelaide | #82 |
The University of Technology Sydney | N/A |
University of Wollongong | #167 |
These top-ranked universities in Australia offer modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art research labs, clean and inclusive environment. These are some of the very factors based on which level 1 universities in Australia are ranked by global ranking bodies.
All these level 1 universities in Australia for international students offer quality education with some of the most experienced faculties, extensive curriculum, popular courses, and specialisations, as well as industry-relevant subjects.
Education Level | Average Cost/Year |
Undergraduate or Bachelor Degree | AUD 20,000 - AUD 45,000 |
Postgraduate or Master’s Degree | AUD 22,000 - AUD 50,000 |
Doctoral or Research Degree | AUD 18,000 - AUD 42,000 |
Vocational Education and Training (VET) | AUD 4,000 - AUD 22,000 |
English language studies | AUD 300 per week |
Short Courses | AUD 100 - AUD 5,000 |
Students can find immense support via many student activity cells and college societies that are specifically designed to keep their needs in mind. One of the best parts of being enrolled in level 1 universities in Australia is that they provide such student bodies where you can develop your interpersonal skills and leadership abilities.
One thing that is certain with all these level 1 universities in Australia is that they offer great placement opportunities to all international students at top-notch companies across the globe.
Level 1 Australian Universities | THE - Employability Rankings 2025 |
The University of Sydney | #62 |
The University of Melbourne | #44 |
Monash University | #108 |
The University of Technology Sydney | #157 |
The University of Queensland | #95 |
Australian National University | #32 |
The Go8 universities is a group of eight most distinguished universities in Australia, and level 1 universities are a part of the Go8 universities. These are top research-universities which receive 71% grant every year. These are highly competitive Australian universities but once a student gets admission in these colleges, they surely get placed at reputed companies worldwide. Following are those eight universities in Australia:
Read more: Benefits of Studying in Australia for International Students
There are level 1 universities in nearly every province and city of Australia depending upon the availability, courses, requirements, and some other factors. Therefore, we have created tables for city-wise level 1 universities in Australia for international students 2025.
University Name | QS WUR Rankings 2025 |
University of Melbourne | 13 |
Monash University | 37 |
Australian National University | 30 |
741-750 |
University Name | QS WUR Rankings 2025 |
University of Sydney | 18 |
University of Technology, Sydney | - |
University of New South Wales | 19 |
133 |
University Name | QS WUR Rankings 2025 |
University of Western Australia | 77 |
516 | |
174 | |
436 |
University Name | QS WUR Rankings 2025 |
University of Queensland | 40 |
901-950 | |
445 | |
Griffith University | 255 |
University Name | QS WUR Rankings 2025 |
University of Adelaide | 82 |
336 | |
University of South Australia | 340 |
- |
The following are some of the advantages of studying in level 1 universities in Australia.
There are certain prerequisites for admission into Level 1 Universities in Australia for international students in 2025. Therefore, to make it easier we have mentioned some of the basic and necessary requirements for international students that are as follows:
An international student planning to apply for a Level 1 Universities in Australia should have an excellent academic transcript and a high GPA.
One must have completed their Bachelor’s degree in a relevant stream if applying for a master's degree at a Level 1 Universities in Australia 2025.
As an entrance requirement, many universities for Level 1 Universities in Australia demand acceptable GRE or GMAT scores.
There is also a mandatory requirement of proof of English proficiency in the form of examinations like IELTS, or TOEFL by various colleges for Level 1 Universities in Australia.
The most important requirement is to secure a student visa for Australia 2025 from India for any Indian student planning to pursue a Level 1 Universities in Australia 2025.
A candidate might also need to submit relevant LORs and SOPs at the time of admission, stating their significance and background that makes them eligible to complete a Level 1 Universities in Australia.
Moreover, the candidate should be able to afford the expenses of studying at a Level 1 university in Australia or search for a reliable means to do so such as sponsorship, scholarships, etc.
The international students will at last be evaluated based on their outstanding academic records, overall achievements, leadership qualities, and involvement in community service.
The most important factor when it comes to applying for Level 1 universities in Australia is the tuition fees for international students. Therefore, we have mentioned the average tuition fees one can expect while enrolling in Level 1 universities in Australia.
Level 1 Universities in Australia Fees
University Name | Average Tuition Fees |
The University of Melbourne | AUD 44,000 - AUD 54,000 |
The University of Sydney | AUD 52,000 - AUD 56,000 |
The University of New South Wales | AUD 25,000 - AUD 63,000 |
Australian National University | AUD 41,000 - AUD 54,000 |
Monash University | AUD 30,000 - AUD 50,000 |
The University of Queensland | AUD 31,000 - AUD 52,000 |
The University of Western Australia | AUD 34,000 - AUD 48,000 |
University of Adelaide | AUD 39,000 - AUD 52,000 |
University of Wollongong | AUD 14,000 - AUD 28,000 |
University of Technology, Sydney | AUD 21,000 - AUD 41,000 |
Just like level 1 universities in Australia, level 2 universities also get a lot of attention of the international students worldwide. Here re the differences between both.
Criteria | Level 1 Universities | Level 2 Universities |
Examples | Melbourne, Sydney, ANU, Monash, UNSW, UQ | Deakin, La Trobe, Wollongong, Swinburne, Flinders |
QS/THE Rank | QS: Top 100–150 THE: Top 150 | QS: 200–600 THE: 200–800 |
Tuition Fees | AUD 40K–55K/year | AUD 28K–40K/year |
Admission Requirements | High (IELTS 7.0+, top grades) | Moderate (IELTS 6.0–6.5) |
Graduate Outcomes | Strong global recognition | Regional/domestic value |
Visa Processing | Streamlined (low risk) | Higher scrutiny in some cases |
Campus & Research | Advanced facilities, high research funding | Decent facilities, moderate research |
Go8 Membership | Yes | No |
Several level 1 universities offer scholarships and other financial aids to help international students get admission and manage their expenses effectively. Start applying before the application deadline and enhance the chances of studying in these universities.
Scholarship | What it covers? | Level 1 University | Deadlines |
Melbourne Graduate Research | Full tuition + AUD 34K stipend | University of Melbourne | 31 Oct 2025 |
Monash International Merit | AUD 10K/year | Monash University | Jan, Mar, Jun, Oct 2025 |
Sydney International Scholarship (SIS) | Up to AUD 40K tuition | University of Sydney | Rolling (course-specific) |
UNSW Scientia | Full tuition / AUD 20K/year | UNSW Sydney | Mar, Jul 2025 |
UQ Global Leaders | 25% tuition | University of Queensland | Varies by program |
Adelaide Academic Excellence | 50% tuition | University of Adelaide | Rolling |
UWA Global Excellence | Up to AUD 48K (UG), 24K (PG) | University of Western Australia | Automatic with application |
UTS VC International | Full tuition | UTS | Jan & Jul 2025 |
It is important to understand the specific academic and language requirements for getting admission in the Level 1 universities in Australia.
As the medium of instruction in every taught program is English, it becomes crucial to demonstrate high proficiency in English. This is necessary for both university admission as well as visa application. If you want to take IELTS exam, you must secure a minimum overall band score of 6.5 to 7.0 with no individual band lower than 6.0 to get admission in a Level 1 Australian university. For students taking TOEFL, the minimum score requirement usually ranges from 90 to 100 on the internet-based test. If you want to take the PTE exam, you need to have a minimum score between 58 and 65. For DET exam, students need to score at lest 100.
There are no mandatory standardised tests required for admission. However, taking tests like SAT, GMAT, GRE, MCAT, etc help in strengthening admission application.
Also Read:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
La Trobe university in Australia has a 100% acceptance rate. So, almost every international student gets admission in this university.
The cheapest university in Australia is the university of Southern Queensland (USQ) for international students. The tuition fee of this university starts from AUD 17,000 per year, making it an affordable college for students.
To check the Australia university level, you can check its registration status and accreditation through the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). It is even possible to do this by researching about the ranking of the university for visa purposes.
No, there are no official classifications for Australian universities, "level 1" and "level 2" are informal terms used by different educational bodies. Group of Eight is one majorly used such term. Beyond this, there are other networks like the Australian Technology Network (ATN) and the Regional Universities Network (RUN), which highlight different strengths and focuses of institutions.
In terms of the assessment system of Australia, those countries that represent the lowest risk category and comply to the visa guidelines the most fall under level 1 countries. They have streamlined visa processes and lenient requirements. These countries include Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Hungary, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and South Africa.
RMIT university is considered to be a level 1 university in Australia. It consistently ranks among the top Australian rankings, making it a level 1 university.
These are some of the benefits of studying at level 1 university in Australia:
Level 2 universities in Australia usually have smaller class sizes and are less competitive as compared to level 1 universities.
The minimum PTE requirement for the majority of level 1 universities in Australia is 42 to 50. However, the exact requirements differ and vary depending on the university one chooses to apply to and their eligibility requirements for international students.
As per the norms, the minimum band that an international student must score to get into a level 1 university in Australia is anywhere between 6 to 7 in IELTS. However, the exact IELTS band requirements depend upon the eligibility criteria set by the universities that you are applying to as an international student.
On Question asked by student community
Hello Aspirant,
SP Jain’s BBA has a reputation for global exposure because students rotate between campuses located in Dubai, Singapore, and Sydney. The campuses are high-quality, and the peer group is diverse -- bringing together students from numerous countries which helps develop a vibrant and competitive crowd. The study abroad experience is generally smooth - Dubai has a cosmopolitan and safe feel, Singapore is similarly safe and very organized, with strict rule and expectations but good for students, while Australia has a more relaxed but multicultural feel. Overall, the program provides a good balance of educational, international exposure, and cultural learning.
Hello ,
As per current trend , The processing time is of 30-56 days that is 1 to 8 weeks , it is faster if your university is under 80% international cap , priority 1 , slower if over 80%
TIPS TO HELP FOR QUICKER PROCESSING
1. Submit a complete and accurate application
2.Apply online via ImmiAccount
3.Lodge your application well in advance
4.Monitor your ImmiAccount regularly
hope this helps
Lodge your application well in advance
Hello,
If you have completed your MD from the Philippines and wish to practice or further study in Australia, you will need to follow the Australian Medical Council (AMC) process. First, verify your degree with ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) through EPIC verification. Then, choose the AMC pathway — typically the Standard Pathway (for non-specialists) which involves the AMC MCQ Exam and AMC Clinical Exam, or the Competent Authority Pathway if you qualify. If your aim is postgraduate training, you should also explore specialist medical colleges in Australia for recognition of prior training. Additionally, you will need to meet English proficiency requirements through IELTS or OET. Visa requirements will vary depending on whether you apply for work, training, or further studies. It’s a detailed process, so starting early and following official AMC guidelines is key.
Thank you for your question!
Hello!
So if you are interested India currently and wants to work as a doctor in Australia in future then:
1. Complete MBBS in India from a recognized medical college.
2. Pass the Australian Medical Council exams
First exam is MCQ based and second one is Clinical exam which assesses your practical skills.
3. English Proficiency Test for that you have to clear IELTS.
4. Apply for registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
5. Apply for internship or position according to your qualification.
6. Apply for Visa and move to Australia once selected.
Yes, you can get admission in some Australian universities with 59% in 12th grade.Many university offer diploma or foundation courses first. IELTS or PTE is also needed. Choose the right course and apply early. Each university has different rules and regulations,so check before applying.
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