As of 2009, Australia had 41 universities in its higher education system. Of these, 37 are public universities, 2 are private, and 2 are Australian branches of overseas universities. Additionally, there are 3 self-accrediting higher education institutions. Numerous smaller private schools, though not degree-granting or accredited, focus on specialized fields such as theology, business, information technology, natural therapies, hospitality, health, law, and accounting.

Most Australian universities are self-accrediting institutions governed by legislation at the state or territory level. They receive a significant portion of their funding from the Australian government through the Higher Education Support Act 2003. This act formalized the goals of universities, recognized each institution, and introduced measures to strengthen the nation’s knowledge base, allowing universities to secure federal funding via grants and loans.

While the higher education system in Australia is more unified than in many other countries, universities still set their own syllabuses and program requirements. However, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership oversees all requirements related to teacher education programs.

Many Australian universities are regularly featured in the top 100 international university rankings. The University of Melbourne and the Australian National University are particularly renowned globally. If you are considering higher education in Australia, whether vocational or academic, you can expect a world-class education at a fair price, well-preparing you for your future career.