Studying engineering is crucial for solving global challenges like creating sustainable technology and improving healthcare and infrastructure. With a high demand for engineers, a degree in this field opens up many career opportunities. Australia is an ideal destination for aspiring engineers, offering top universities, cutting-edge research, and strong industry connections. Its high-quality education and promising career prospects make it an excellent choice.
In this article, we will highlight some of the best engineering universities in Australia, focusing on their strengths, research, and what makes them stand out for engineering students.
Why Study Engineering in Australia?
Australia is an excellent option for engineering studies. Here are the reasons to study engineering in Australia:
- Growing Job Market: Australia’s engineering industry offers plenty of career opportunities in fields like mining, petroleum, renewable energy, and construction.
- Top-Ranked Programs: Australian universities are renowned for their high-quality engineering programs, offering students practical experience with the latest technologies. The University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne, and the Australian National University (ANU) are frequently ranked among the top engineering schools worldwide.
- Industry Collaboration: Many universities have partnerships with major companies, providing valuable internships and real-world exposure.
- Encouraging Diversity: Efforts from the government and universities are focused on encouraging more young people, including women, to pursue engineering careers.
- Easy Pathways for Foreign Engineers: Australia’s flexible immigration policies make it easier for engineers from abroad to live and work in the country.
- Global Demand for Engineers: With the worldwide shortage of engineers, this field has strong career prospects as the demand continues to outpace supply.
- Global Exposure: Studying in Australia allows students to gain a global perspective, with strong ties to the Asia-Pacific region and a diverse international student community.
- High Quality of Life: Australia offers an excellent standard of living, with vibrant cities and a welcoming, multicultural society.
Once you’ve decided to study engineering in Australia, securing accommodation is one of the next steps. uhomes.com offers a wide range of student housing in Australia to suit different needs and budgets. This platform helps international students find safe, convenient, and affordable housing close to their chosen universities, making your transition to studying in Australia even easier.
Now that you’ve learned why studying engineering in Australia is such a great opportunity, let’s dive into the 10 best universities in Australia for engineering.
Australia University Ranking for Engineering
To help you know which are the best engineering universities in Australia you should get into, below we’ve listed the 10 top universities for engineering in Australia with their rankings in both AU and the world.
| Australia Ranking |
Global Ranking | University | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | Sydney |
| 2 | 49 | The University of Melbourne | Melbourne |
| 3 | 68 | The University of Sydney | Sydney |
| 4 | 73 | Monash University | Melbourne |
| 5 | 78 | The University of Queensland | Brisbane |
| 6 | 86 | Australian National University (ANU) | Canberra |
| 7 | 106 | University of Technology Sydney | Sydney |
| 8 | 126 | University of Adelaide | Adelaide |
| 9 | 151 | RMIT University | Melbourne |
| 10 | 220 | Curtin University | Perth |
Best Engineering Universities in Australia
The 10 top universities for engineering in Australia are quite famous for their top-notch courses. Read through the article to understand all the necessary details you ought to know while choosing, what the universities offer and achieve, and why you should consider them.
Chemical Engineering Universities in Australia
The University of Queensland
QS Ranking: 41st
Location: Brisbane
Tuition Fees: 51,200 AUD/year for international students
Notable Alumni:
- Andrew Buckley, Executive Chairman at Muir Engineering and Former Managing Director at Cardno Ltd. (B.Eng)
- Michael Ahern AO, Former Premier of Queensland (B.Sc, Agriculture)
- Sandeep Biswas, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Newcrest Mining Limited (BEng, Chemical Engineering)
The University of Queensland is among the top unis for engineering, ranked among the world’s best. As a member of the Group of Eight (Go8), UQ is known for its excellence in research and teaching, offering state-of-the-art facilities and strong industry connections. The university is particularly renowned for its expertise in Mineral & Mining Engineering, Environmental Sciences, and Petroleum Engineering, making it a global leader in engineering education and research.
Other Engineering Specializations:
- Mineral & Mining Engineering (Ranked 4th)
- Petroleum Engineering (Ranked 17th)
Monash University
QS Ranking: 43rd
Location: Clayton, Melbourne
Tuition Fees: 184,000 AUD/year for international students
Notable Alumni:
- Airlangga Hartarto, current Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs in Indonesia (MBA)
- John Mattick, Australian molecular biologist (M.Sc, Biochemistry)
- Kevin Andrews, former Australian Defence Minister (LLM)
What Melbourne university is best for engineering? Monash University, based in Melbourne with campuses in Malaysia and South Africa, is renowned as the best uni for engineering Australia, offering strong engineering programs, including Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Environmental, and Civil and Structural Engineering expertise. The university also provides over 140 double-degree options and extensive scholarship opportunities for students.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Mineral & Mining Engineering (Ranked 17th)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Ranked 78th)
- Civil and Structural Engineering (Ranked 34th)
Mineral and Mining Engineering Universities in Australia
Curtin University
QS Ranking: 2nd
Location: Perth
Tuition Fees: 37,507 AUD/year for international students
Notable Alumni:
- Martin Dougiamas, Australian Computer Scientist (PhD, Internet-based Education)
- Michaelia Cash, Australian Senator (BA, Social Science)
Curtin University is one of the best universities in Australia for engineering and is known for its strength in resource-related programs. It ranks first in Australia and second globally for Mineral and Mining Engineering. Curtin leads over 70 research centres and offers global campuses in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, and Dubai. Its strong industry connections provide students with valuable hands-on learning, including real projects, internships, and networking opportunities that employers highly value.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Petroleum Engineering (Ranked 39th)
- Civil and Structural Engineering (Ranked 51-100th)
- Chemical Engineering (Ranked 51-100th)
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
QS Ranking: 3rd
Location: Kensington
Tuition Fees: –
Notable Alumni:
- Clive Finkelstein, “Father” of information engineering or data engineering (B. Sc, Computer Science)
- Bob Bellear, the first Judge in Australia of Aboriginal descent (LLB).
- Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, current General Secretary at the Fiji First Party (LLB).
UNSW is another best university for engineering in Australia. It leads in research areas like clean energy, quantum computing, and sustainability. UNSW engineering graduates are highly sought after, with the highest median salaries among Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) universities. The university also ranks first in Australia for creating the most new startups and spinout companies based on technology developed at UNSW.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Petroleum Engineering (Ranked 10th)
- Civil and Structural Engineering (Ranked in 17th)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Ranked in 36th)
Civil and Structural Engineering Universities in Australia
The University of Sydney
QS Ranking: 23rd
Location: Sydney
Tuition Fees: 56,000 AUD for international students
Notable Alumni:
- David Warren, pioneer of the flight data recording system (B.Sc)
- Bryan Ganesler, former professor at Harvard University (B.Sc, Physics)
- Ronald Aitchison, known for his work in solid-state devices and satellite imaging (MSc)
The University of Sydney is one of the top universities for engineering in Australia, ranked 18th in the world (QS 2025). It offers a wide range of engineering courses in Australia, with six disciplines ranked in the global top 20. USYD’s flexible degree programs, industry placements, and entrepreneurial opportunities help students build the skills needed for successful careers. With over 150 research centres, it focuses on solving global challenges, such as sustainability and new engineering innovations.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (Ranked 25th)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Ranked 49th)
- Chemical Engineering (Ranked 80th)
The University of Melbourne
QS Ranking: 25th
Location: Parkville
Tuition Fees: –
Notable Alumni:
- Gillian Triggs, former Australian President of the Human Rights Commission (LLB, PhD in Philosophy)
- Ronnie Chieng, Malaysian comic and current senior correspondent at Comedy Central’s The Daily Show (LLB)
- Julia Gillard, the first woman as Prime Minister in Australia (B. A, LLB)
What Victorian university is best for engineering? The University of Melbourne, established in 1853, is a top-ranked Victorian university and a global leader in education. Located in Melbourne, a city known for its cultural and academic influence, the university offers dynamic engineering programs that allow students to explore various subjects before specializing, providing a broad knowledge base. With a vibrant campus close to transport, arts, and sports venues, Melbourne supports both academic and personal growth through diverse extracurricular opportunities.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (Ranked 25th)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Ranked in 51st)
- Chemical Engineering (Ranked 54th)
- Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (Ranked in 59th)
RMIT University
QS Ranking: 51-100th
Location: Melbourne
Tuition Fees: 42,240 AUD for international students
Notable Alumni:
- James Wan, filmmaker; creator and director of the Saw films (BA, Multimedia)
- Richard Worth, OBE, KstJ, former Minister of Internal Affairs in the New Zealand Parliament (PhD)
- Carrie Graf, OAM, basketball player and former coach of the Australia women’s national basketball team (BAppSci)
RMIT, based in Melbourne, is renowned for its excellence in Engineering, offering hands-on learning through internships, placements, and real-world projects like building race cars in mechatronics engineering. A QS 5-Star rated institution, RMIT boasts state-of-the-art facilities, strong research, and industry connections. Students gain valuable skills through Work-Integrated Learning and collaborative projects, making them highly sought after by employers.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (Ranked 25th)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Ranked 135th)
- Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (Ranked 114th)
- Chemical Engineering (Ranked 151-200th)
Petroleum Engineering Universities in Australia
The University of Adelaide
QS Ranking: 6th
Location: Adelaide
Tuition Fees: 48,500 AUD for international students
Notable Alumni:
- Anthony Hearn, best known for his pioneering work in developing the computer algebra system called REDUCE (B. Sc in Mathematics)
- Helen Caldicott, an Australian physician and anti-nuclear advocate (MBBS)
The University of Adelaide, founded in 1874, is a top 100 university in the world and part of Australia’s Group of Eight. It offers the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Petroleum, taught by experts at the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources. Students learn about petroleum engineering, geoscience, and project management, with practical experience through field trips, projects, and an eight-week placement, preparing them for careers in the oil, gas, and energy industries.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (Ranked 19th)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Ranked 149th)
- Chemical Engineering (Ranked 101-150th)
- Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (Ranked in 151-200th)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Universities in Australia
Australian National University (ANU)
QS Ranking: 60th
Location: Canberra
Tuition Fees: 39,024 AUD/year for international students
Notable Alumni:
- Marty Natalegawa, former Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs (PhD)
- Syed Akbaruddin, India’s permanent representative at the United Nations in New York from January 2016 to April 2020 (MIA)
- Annastacia Palaszczuk, the 39th premier of Queensland from 2015 to 2023 (GDLP)
The Australian National University (ANU) is a world-class institution known for its research and teaching excellence. It offers a wide range of degrees, including in engineering, supported by over 3,000 academic staff. ANU’s engineering research tackles global challenges like climate change, energy, and disease. Located in Canberra, it is a member of the Group of Eight and the only Australian member of the International Alliance of Research Universities.
University of Technology Sydney
QS Ranking: 83rd
Location: Sydney
Tuition Fees: 25,000 AUD/year for international students
Notable Alumni:
- Hotman Paris Hutapea, an Indonesian lawyer, presenter, and businessman (LLM)
- He Rong, the current 13th Minister of Justice of China from 2023 (LLM)
- Annastacia Palaszczuk, served as the 39th premier of Queensland from 2015 to 2023 (LLB)
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) offers a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) program that prepares students for professional careers through practical experiences like fieldwork and case studies. Located in Sydney’s tech precinct, UTS fosters innovation through industry links with global companies and startups. The university ranks globally in engineering fields such as Electrical and Electronic, and Civil and Structural Engineering, equipping students to manage complex systems and large-scale projects with emerging technologies.
Other Engineering Specialisations:
- Mining and Mineral Engineering (Ranked 51-70th)
- Chemical Engineering (Ranked 54th)
- Civil and Structural Engineering (Ranked 51-100th)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia stands out as an excellent destination for engineering studies, offering world-class education, cutting-edge research, and strong industry ties. The best engineering universities in Australia, highlighted in this article, are recognized for their excellence in fields such as electrical, petroleum, civil, mining, and chemical engineering, providing students with outstanding opportunities to pursue a successful career in engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, engineers are in high demand in Australia, particularly in fields like civil, mechanical, and software engineering. Engineering roles are listed on the country’s Skilled Occupation List, making them eligible for immigration. As a result of this strong demand, the Australian government actively encourages young people to pursue careers in engineering.
The Campus Advisor ranks Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane as top cities for international students, known for their vibrant, inclusive environments. You can also consider off-campus accommodation for more freedom. Check out uhomes.com for affordable, personalized housing options that suit your needs.
The University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, UNSW, ANU, and Monash University consistently appear as globally best universities in Australia for engineering.
Nuclear engineering is the hardest engineering course in Australia. Because it demands students to master knowledge in several aspects deeply and thoroughly: advanced mathematics, physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, mechanical system design, managing radioactive materials, etc.
The average salary that engineering graduates make in Australia is $78,000 per year. It can ranger from $70,000 to $81,900 per year based on the level of the positions.
