Different Types of Universities in Australia

Explore the different types of universities in Australia, each catering to different educational needs and preferences. From Group of Eight (Go8) universities known for their research excellence and international reputation, to Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions offering vocational training and practical skills.

Australia is one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students who aspire to study abroad. Various Australian universities are among the top-ranked educational institutions, rated by many renowned global university rating agencies. High global rankings signify avant-garde teaching and learning techniques, R&D, academic standards, and international tie-ups. For students, it is quite exhausting to choose the right university that suits all of their requirements. In this blog, we will try our best to categorize Australian universities on the basis of various parameters so that you can have a better understanding of colleges in Australia.

Different types of universities in Australia

1. The 1960s-1970s universities

In Australia, during the 1960s-70s, the government has constituted a number of new universities, backed by the Commonwealth Government. The main aim behind setting up these universities was to fill the growing requirement of higher education in the state. The member universities were designated with the task of constituting a fresh education pattern that is different from what were used in traditional universities at that time. Various universities constituted during that era were:

Macquarie University
The University of Wollongong
La Trobe University
James Cook University
Flinders University
Murdoch University
Griffith University
Deakin University
The University of Newcastle

2. Group of Eight (Go8)

It is the eight of the most influential educational institutions of Australia that are indulged in cutting-edge research and education. Constituted in 1999, the Go8 is a congregation of eight top Australian universities that are conducting renowned work in education and research. These institutions are well-known for their rankings, research opportunities, and industry connection. Due to these reasons, the universities are the most sought-after ones by several international students. The eighth-member universities of this congregation are:

University of Melbourne
Monash University
Australian National University
The University of New South Wales Sydney
The University of Queensland
The University of Adelaide
The University of Western Australia
University of Sydney

3. Australian Technology Network (ATN)

This congregation of technological institutions was also constituted in 1999. ATN is a group of five of the most innovative and enterprising Australian universities that focus primarily on tech-based solutions. In 1975, ATN came into existence initially in the form of Directors of Central Institutes of Technology (DOCIT). But was soon disbanded due to aspirational differences in 1982. The 5 members of this congregation are:

RMIT University
Deakin University
The University of Technology Sydney
Curtin University
University of South Australia

ATN universities were given the formal university status again in 1987, and since then working in niche technology.

4. Regional Universities Network (RUN)

There are 7 key members of the Regional Universities Network in Australia. The group was established in 2011. The main objective of this group is to make substantial contributions in the field of regional growth. The RUN ensures that quality education remains accessible for everyone and works to produce qualified professionals for regional development. The 7 members of RUN are:

CQ University Australia
Southern Cross University
Charles Sturt University
Federation University
University of New England
University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
University of Southern Queensland

RUN universities are one of the largest groups of universities in Australia when it comes to attracting students.

5. New Generation Universities (NGU)

These universities came into existence with the vision of providing advanced education to the students who graduated from higher secondary school. Again, the aim of NGU is to introduce these fresh graduates to a new type of higher education. Moreover, the networks that were constituted initially as non-university sectors, were dissolved into one single unit in 1988. The key member of NGU are:

Victoria University
Western Sydney University
Bond University
Edith Cowan University
Canberra University
Australian Catholic University
The University of Notre Dame

The option for universities in Australia is quite diverse and is well-equipped to suit the needs of every individual. Whether you are an art graduate, commerce grad, or from any of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, there are lots of opportunities to learn and thrive in Australia.

Different Types of Universities in Australia