Australian Capital Territory

Australian National University University of Canberra

Australian Catholic University Australian University of Theology Avondale University Charles Sturt University Macquarie University Southern Cross University University of New England University of New South Wales University of Newcastle University of Sydney University of Technology Sydney University of Wollongong Western Sydney University

Bond University CQUniversity Griffith University James Cook University Queensland University of Technology University of Queensland University of Southern Queensland University of the Sunshine Coast

Adelaide University Flinders University Torrens University Australia

Deakin University Federation University Australia La Trobe University Monash University RMIT University Swinburne University of Technology University of Divinity University of Melbourne Victoria University

Universities in Australia: A Guide to Western Australia's Five

Q: Western Australia

Curtin University Edith Cowan University Murdoch University The University of Notre Dame Australia The University of Western Australia

Explore universities in Australia and discover Western Australia's five universities, including campuses, study strengths, entry pathways and more.

Australia's Universities

Choosing where to study in Australia starts with finding the university, course and location that fit the future you want to build.

Australia has universities across every state and territory, with courses spanning business, engineering, health, technology, creative arts, sciences and many other fields. If you are considering Western Australia, you can choose from five universities offering different study strengths, campus settings and student experiences.

StudyPerth is Western Australia’s peak membership body for international education, working with education providers, government and industry to support international students as they study, live and work in WA.

Last reviewed: August 2026

How many universities are in Australia?

Australia currently has 42 universities, including 36 public universities and 6 private universities, according to Study Australia. Many operate more than one campus, giving students options across different cities and regions.

Australian higher education providers are regulated by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). Registered higher education providers appear on TEQSA's National Register. CRICOS identifies providers and courses permitted to enrol international students studying in Australia on a student visa.

If you have seen an older Australian university list with a different total, one recent change may explain it. Adelaide University commenced operations in January 2026 following the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

What universities are in Australia?

The following Australian university list groups the 42 universities by their main Australian base to make them easier to explore. Some universities have campuses in several states or territories, so check the location where your preferred course is actually delivered before applying.

Australian National University
University of Canberra

Australian Catholic University
Australian University of Theology
Avondale University
Charles Sturt University
Macquarie University
Southern Cross University
University of New England
University of New South Wales
University of Newcastle
University of Sydney
University of Technology Sydney
University of Wollongong
Western Sydney University

Charles Darwin University

Bond University
CQUniversity
Griffith University
James Cook University
Queensland University of Technology
University of Queensland
University of Southern Queensland
University of the Sunshine Coast

Adelaide University
Flinders University
Torrens University Australia

University of Tasmania

Deakin University
Federation University Australia
La Trobe University
Monash University
RMIT University
Swinburne University of Technology
University of Divinity
University of Melbourne
Victoria University

You can explore the current national list and campus locations through Study Australia's list of Australian universities.

What universities are in Western Australia?

Western Australia has five universities, with campuses across Perth and regional WA. Together, they give international students access to a broad choice of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs.

The five universities in Western Australia are:

Curtin University
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Murdoch University
The University of Notre Dame Australia
The University of Western Australia (UWA)

Four are public universities, while Notre Dame is a private Catholic university that welcomes students from all backgrounds. UWA is also Western Australia's member of the Group of Eight, an association of research-intensive Australian universities.

Compare Western Australia's five universities

The right university for you will depend on what you want to study, where you want to live, the type of campus experience you prefer and the learning environment that helps you perform at your best.

University	Main WA locations	Established in	Type	CRICOS code	Study strengths and experience
Curtin University	Bentley, Perth city, Midland, Kalgoorlie	1966 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology; established as Curtin University in 1987	Public	00301J	A large, industry-connected university with teaching across business and law, health, humanities, science and engineering. Kalgoorlie is home to the WA School of Mines.
Edith Cowan University	Perth city, Joondalup, Bunbury	1991	Public	00279B	Offers study across areas including business and law, education, engineering, health, nursing, science, arts, and humanities, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
Murdoch University	Murdoch, Mandurah, Rockingham	1973	Public	00125J	Long-established strengths include veterinary studies, environmental and life sciences and education, alongside business, law, health, IT, engineering and other disciplines.
The University of Notre Dame Australia	Fremantle, Broome	1989	Private	01032F	A smaller national university with a personalised approach to education and programs including medicine, nursing, health sciences, education, law, business, arts and sciences.
The University of Western Australia	Crawley, Albany	1911	Public	00126G	WA's first university and its Group of Eight member, with broad study options across sciences, engineering, health, business, humanities, law and other fields in a research-intensive environment.

Which Western Australian university is right for you?

Start with your course and career goals, then compare the campus experience and location around them. University size can also influence how a campus feels, although published student totals are not directly comparable because some universities operate nationally or internationally.

A practical way to narrow your options is to consider:

Curtin University if you want a large university environment, a broad course selection and strong links with industry. Curtin has more than 50,000 students across its global campus network, with its largest campus in Bentley.
Edith Cowan University if areas such as creative industries, performing arts, technology, health, education or business align with your goals, or if you value the choice of a central Perth or Joondalup campus. ECU has more than 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Murdoch University if veterinary science, environmental and life sciences or a spacious suburban campus appeal to you. Murdoch reported 24,430 students in 2025 and also operates WA locations in Mandurah and Rockingham.
The University of Notre Dame Australia if you prefer a smaller, community-focused learning environment and are considering professional fields such as health, medicine, nursing, education, law or business. Notre Dame has around 12,000 students across its national campuses.
The University of Western Australia if you want a research-intensive university experience at a historic riverside campus. UWA has more than 28,000 students and is Western Australia’s Group of Eight member.

There is no single university that suits every student. Look closely at the specific course, subjects, entry requirements, teaching format, practical experience, campus location and support available to international students.

What can you study at a Western Australian university?

WA universities cover a wide range of fields, so you can choose a course that connects your interests with the career you want to build.

StudyPerth groups available options into broad areas including:

Business and management
Creative arts
Engineering and mathematics
Food, hospitality and personal services
Humanities, arts and social sciences
Information technology and computer science
Law, legal studies and justice
Medical and health sciences
Property and built environment
Sciences
Teaching and education

Explore StudyPerth's study areas to understand the subjects, courses and possible career directions within each field.

Study Areas

What's the difference between universities, colleges and pathway providers?

Perth offers several types of education provider, and the best fit depends on the qualification you want and where you are in your study journey.

Provider type	What it offers	When it may suit you
University	Undergraduate, postgraduate an research degrees across a range of disciplines.	You are ready to enter a university degree or continue into advanced study.
Higher education college	Higher education qualifications, often within a more specialised range of fields.	You want a degree-level qualification in a particular discipline or a different learning environment.
Pathway provider	Foundation, bridging or diploma programs designed to prepare students for further higher education.	You need additional academic or English preparation before progressing towards university study.
VET (vocational education & training) provider	Practical, skills-focused vocational qualifications such as certificates and diplomas.	You want industry-focused training or a vocational pathway that may also support further study.

Australia's Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) connects qualifications across higher education and vocational education and training. StudyPerth also lists Perth's universities, pathway colleges, higher education colleges and VET providers in one place.

Explore education providers in Perth or learn how different study pathways could help you find your path.

What should international students know before applying?

Your university choice is only one part of planning your study journey. Before you apply, check the course fees, academic and English entry requirements, intake dates and scholarship options for the exact course you are considering.

Tuition fees

Fees vary considerably by university, level and field of study. StudyPerth currently indicates that undergraduate courses in Perth can range from approximately AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year for international students, depending on the institution and course. Some specialised programs and postgraduate degrees may fall outside this range.

Tuition is also only part of your budget. Use StudyPerth's cost of living information and calculator to plan for accommodation, transport, groceries, and every expenses.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary by university and course. Universities may consider your previous qualifications and academic results, English language proficiency and any course-specific prerequisites.

If you do not yet meet direct university entry requirements, a foundation, bridging or other pathway program may help prepare you for further study.

University intakes

The university academic year in Perth generally begins in late February and runs until around mid-November, commonly across two semesters. Some institutions use different calendars, offer trimester study or have courses with additional start dates.

Always check the intake for your exact course before making travel or application plans.

Scholarships

Scholarships may be available from universities, education providers and government programs. Eligibility, application dates and the level of financial support vary, so check each opportunity carefully.

Explore international student scholarships in Western Australia and begin researching early to give yourself more time to prepare applications.

Find a course in Perth

Once you know your preferred study area and the type of university experience you want, the next step is to compare the actual courses.

StudyPerth’s Course Search lets you explore courses available through Perth education providers and narrow your options by study field, qualification and keywords. You can then check the provider’s current fees, entry requirements, intake dates and application requirements before making your decision.

Planning earlier gives you more time to compare courses, explore scholarships, prepare your application and organise the practical steps involved in moving to Western Australia. When you are ready, follow StudyPerth’s guide to applying to study in Perth.

Get a step closer to your dream career

Find the course that's right for you

Western Australia has five universities, all with campuses in or near Perth: Curtin, Edith Cowan, Murdoch, Notre Dame and The University of Western Australia. Four are public and Notre Dame is private. StudyPerth maintains the current list of Western Australian providers and their CRICOS registrations.

Australia has 42 universities, 36 public and 6 private. There are 5 universities in Western Australia, including Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, The University of Notre Dame Australia and The University of Western Australia. All five are CRICOS registered to teach international students.

Perth is home to all five Western Australian universities. Curtin, ECU, Murdoch and UWA are public universities, and Notre Dame is a private Catholic university with a Fremantle campus. StudyPerth lists each institution with its campuses, course areas and CRICOS code.

The Group of Eight is Australia's coalition of research-intensive universities. The University of Western Australia is the only Western Australian member. StudyPerth recommends treating Go8 membership as one signal of research strength rather than a ranking of teaching quality or graduate outcomes.

Universities award their own degrees and conduct research. Colleges in Australia usually deliver vocational qualifications or pathway and diploma programs that articulate into a university degree. StudyPerth lists both types of provider in Perth, along with the Australian Qualifications Framework level each qualification sits at.

Yes. Australian universities are regulated by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, and providers teaching international students must be CRICOS registered. StudyPerth publishes the CRICOS code for every Western Australian provider so you can verify registration before you apply.

International tuition varies by university, course and study level, so always check the fee schedule on the provider's own site. StudyPerth publishes indicative ranges alongside a full breakdown of living costs in Perth, which is generally lower than Sydney or Melbourne.

Most Australian universities require a recognised secondary or tertiary qualification plus evidence of English proficiency. Requirements differ by course and provider. StudyPerth explains how to check your qualification, what documentation you need and how to apply to a Western Australian university.

There is no single best university, only the best fit for your course and budget. UWA is research-intensive, Curtin is the largest, ECU is known for teaching and the creative arts, Murdoch for veterinary and IT, and Notre Dame for small class sizes. StudyPerth compares all five.

Australian universities run two main intakes each year, in February or March and in July, and some courses offer a smaller mid-year or summer intake. StudyPerth recommends starting your application at least six months before your intended intake to allow time for visa processing.

Yes. Foundation programs, diplomas and English language courses can all lead into a bachelor degree at a Western Australian university. StudyPerth maps the pathway providers in Perth and the universities they articulate into, so you can see the route from your current qualification.