Introduction
It’s June again, and that means the much-anticipated 2026 QS World University Rankings are officially out as of June 19, 2025! These rankings are published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a UK-based global higher education analytics firm. The QS rankings are widely respected and track universities’ global reputation, academic output and influence, and international outlook.
Every year, the QS World University Rankings draw the attention of students and academics worldwide. Let’s explore how Australian universities performed in the 2026 edition!
What’s New in the 2026 QS Ranking Criteria?
Most QS ranking indicators remain the same. However, a new non-weighted metric was added in 2026: International Student Diversity. This metric builds on the existing International Student Ratio, but goes further by evaluating the diversity of countries and regions students come from, not just their number.
Although this new indicator doesn’t count toward the final score yet, its introduction signals QS’s intent to evaluate internationalisation with greater depth in the future. Universities aiming to improve their reputation will need to attract students from a broader range of countries—not just in volume, but in diversity.
| Indicator | Weight in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Academic Reputation | 30% |
| Employer Reputation | 15% |
| Faculty/Student Ratio | 10% |
| Citations per Faculty | 20% |
| International Faculty Ratio | 5% |
| International Student Ratio | 5% |
| International Research Network | 5% |
| Employment Outcomes | 5% |
| Sustainability | 5% |
| International Student Diversity | 0% (Unweighted) |
2026 QS Rankings: How Did Australian Universities Perform?
Australian universities remain strong globally, though many experienced slight drops due to increasing global competition.
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The University of Melbourne remains Australia’s top university at #19, dropping six spots but still earning a solid score of 90.8.
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UNSW (University of New South Wales) is ranked #20 and The University of Sydney is at #25, both slipping slightly but still in the global Top 30.
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Monash University was the only Top 5 Australian university to improve, climbing to #36.
This reflects the continued global competitiveness of Australian higher education in areas such as research, internationalization, and graduate employability.
The Group of Eight (Go8) universities all remain in the Top 100, reaffirming Australia’s strength in global academia.
QS Stars Rating System: A Broader Look at University Quality
If you’re interested in more than just rankings, consider exploring the QS Stars Rating System. This framework assesses universities across more than 10 categories, including:
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Teaching Quality
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Facilities
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Graduate Employability
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Social Responsibility
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Inclusiveness
Unlike rankings, the QS Stars system provides a holistic evaluation of a university’s strengths and areas for improvement. The highest rating is 5 Stars Plus, while 1 Star is the minimum. This tool can be helpful for students looking to find a university that aligns best with their personal and academic goals.
2026 QS Rankings: Australia’s Leading Universities
Here’s a snapshot of the 2026 QS Rankings for Australian institutions:
| University | QS 2026 Rank | QS Stars |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | #19 | |
| University of New South Wales (UNSW) | #20 | |
| University of Sydney | #25 | |
| Australian National University (ANU) | #32 | |
| Monash University | #36 | |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | #42 | |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | #77 | |
| University of Adelaide | #82 | |
| University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | #96 | |
| RMIT University | #125 | |
| Macquarie University | #138 | |
| Curtin University | #183 | 5 Stars+ |
| University of Wollongong | #184 | 5 Stars+ |
| Deakin University | #207 | |
| Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | #226 | |
| University of Newcastle | #227 | |
| La Trobe University | #233 | |
| Griffith University | #268 | |
| Swinburne University of Technology | #294 | |
| University of Tasmania | #314 | |
| Flinders University | #387 | |
| Western Sydney University | #400 | 5 Stars |
| University of Southern Queensland | #410 | 5 Stars |
| Murdoch University | #423 | |
| James Cook University | #440 | 5 Stars |
| Edith Cowan University | #487 | |
| University of Canberra | #494 | |
| Central Queensland University | #499 | 5 Stars |
| Charles Darwin University | #584 | |
| Bond University | #591 | 5 Stars |
| Southern Cross University | #638 | 5 Stars |
| Victoria University | #741–750 | |
| Australian Catholic University | #851–900 | |
| Charles Sturt University | #951–1000 | |
| University of New England | #1001–1200 | |
| University of Notre Dame Australia | #1201–1400 |
Summary
Australia continues to shine in the QS World University Rankings, with 9 universities in the global Top 100—same as last year. These include:
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#19 University of Melbourne
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#20 UNSW
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#25 University of Sydney
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#32 ANU
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#36 Monash
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#42 UQ
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#77 UWA
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#82 University of Adelaide
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#96 UTS
Despite some fluctuations in rankings, Australian universities still lead globally in faculty strength, research, and international appeal. If you’re considering studying in Australia, now’s a great time to take the next step!
👉 Fill out the form on the right to start your journey!