Written by Olivia Wolf. Photo courtesy of Paul Bica via Flickr.

Looking for the best full-time MBA programs in Australia? Here’s your ultimate guide! Compare Australia’s best MBA programs head-to-head and get the inside scoop from the Admissions Directors of Australia’s best MBA programs.

last updated September 2023

Why Australia for your MBA?

1. Australia is a top 5 destination worldwide for MBA students. At some programs, up to 80% of students hail from other nations. Seven of the nine universities listed below were ranked top 100 universities in the 2023 QS World University Rankings and five of them were ranked top 100 worldwide in the 2023 QS Global MBA Rankings. 

2. For those who want an income while studying, Australia permits holders of student visas to work up to 48 hours a fortnight (a two-week period beginning on Monday and ending on Sunday) while courses are in session and unlimited hours during breaks. After obtaining their degree, graduates can apply for a Post-Study Work visa, which allows them to work, study, and live in Australia for two to four years. 

3. Australia offers the best of both worlds as an English-speaking Western country located in the Asia-Pacific region. Students are exposed to the culture and business practices of nearby booming Asian markets, which are at the forefront of Australia’s economic focus. China, India, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia send the most international students to Australia’s business schools, which, in turn, offer opportunities for students to study abroad in countries across the region and the world. 

4. Australia is the world’s 12th largest economy and outperformed other advanced economies in 2022. The country is ranked as the 13th freest economy in the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom, earning high marks for property rights, judicial effectiveness, and financial, trade, and business freedom. Australia is also the largest producer of solar energy per capita and is considered the 6th most attractive country for renewable energy investment. 

5. Australian cities have long been recognized as some of the most livable in the world. Its two largest cities, Melbourne and Sydney, were ranked third and fourth respectively by the Economist’s liveability index. Over the years, Melbourne and Sydney have vied to be the cultural and financial capitals of the country. While Sydney is the more iconic international city with the Royal Opera House and pristine beaches, Melbourne recently surpassed it in population and is recognized as the main hub for art and culture. Both cities attract business students from around the world.

Top Full-time Australian MBA Programs

We looked at rankings and reviews by the Financial Times, QS, the Australian Financial Review, and Poets&Quants to select three outstanding MBA programs and six honorable mentions, including two newcomers. So check down under to discover which of these business schools could be a great fit for you.

Melbourne Business School (MBS) at the University of Melbourne (Melbourne)

Melbourne Business School granted Australia’s first MBA degrees in 1965 and has since been considered a top b-school both nationally and internationally. The program can be completed in two years or less, depending on how the student wants to tailor their experience. QS Global rankings placed MBS 27th in the world and first in Oceania. The Australian Financial Review placed the school second in the country, and Poets&Quants listed it as 55th in its global rankings.

MBS has a unique ownership structure with the University of Melbourne controlling 45% of the school and Australian businesses controlling 55%. This ensures that the business community is invested in the students and that the curriculum is always meeting the current demands of industry. The campus is conveniently located within walking distance of Melbourne’s Central Business District. 

Australia is at the forefront of sustainability, and MBS is a leader of that at the Centre for Sustainability and Business, which awards fellowships for student projects. In addition, there’s also the Centre for Indigenous Leadership and the Centre for Business Analytics. For those looking to broaden their international horizons, the school is a member of the Partnership in International Management (PIM), allowing exchange at business schools in 23 countries. 

Listen to Touch MBA’s interview with Melbourne Business School’s Director of MBA Admissions, Anastasia Georgiou, and get Touch MBA’s summary of the Melbourne MBA program

Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of New South Wales (Sydney)

Australian Graduate School of Management is the only school to be included on the Financial Times’ 2023 top 100 list, coming in at 95. The Australian Financial Review placed it first in the country, and Poets&Quants ranked it 30th in the world. Located in Sydney, AGSM’s MBA program can be completed in one year or two for those looking to include an internship or research project. After graduation, AGSM alumni can expect to earn some of the highest median salaries amongst their MBA peers. 

AGSM was the first program in Australia to integrate a Global Responsible Management curriculum into all classes with the goal of developing sustainable and ethical leaders. It is also the only school in the country to be included in the Global Networking of Advanced Management (GNAM) group, which includes 32 leading business schools like Yale School of Management and HEC Paris. Students have the opportunity to study abroad at these partner schools for a few weeks or up to a semester. 

Listen to Touch MBA’s interview with AGSM MBA Academic Director Michele Roberts, and get Touch MBA’s summary of the AGSM MBA program 

Macquarie Business School (MQBS) at Macquarie University (Sydney)

For those seeking flexibility at a top MBA program, check out MQBS which offers a 1.5-2 year or extended curriculum that can be completed both in person and online. This alternative school maintains its academic rigor, ranking third in Oceania by QS, sixth by the Australian Financial Review, and 30th in the world by Poets&Quants. The school has two campuses, one in Sydney and the other in North Ryde, a nearby suburb that’s home to over 300 international corporations such as Microsoft and Honeywell. Students have the opportunity to study abroad for two weeks or up to four months at one of MQBS’s thirteen partner business schools.

Applicants who don’t meet the entry requirements can still be admitted by completing an alternative pathway such as MQBS’ Microcredential Program or Graduate Certificate of Management. 

Honorable Mentions

Other Australian MBA programs worth exploring:

University of Queensland Business School (UQ) at the University of Queensland (Brisbane) – Flexibility is the name of the game at UQ, where students can tailor their studies by taking classes in person, online or both during weekdays, weeknights, or weekends. Students can opt for the one-year intensive program or complete their degree part-time within ten years, although international students must follow the accelerated one-year model. The program boasts that 100% of their graduates seeking a new role landed one within three months of completing their degree. The cohort here skews older with an average of 12 years of professional experience and 6.5 years in management. 

University of Sydney Business School at the University of Sydney (Sydney) – The 18-month MBA program at Australia’s oldest university is the only one in the country to hold both triple crown accreditation and CEMS membership, an international coalition that includes only one b-school from each country. The MBA program was ranked 6th in the nation by Australian Financial Review, and the university was ranked 19th in the world by QS. 

College of Business and Economics at the Australian National University (Canberra) – This program is aimed at middle managers seeking to rise to senior positions. Seminars are small with 15-30 students, and evening classes are available for part-timers. All students are considered for the 30 scholarships to this leading evidence-based management program. In 2022, Australian National University was ranked the #1 university in Australia by QS.

Monash Business School at Monash University (Caulfield) – This 2-year program is designed so that domestic students can work full-time while studying. Various classes are held on weekends and evenings and are modified into intensive blocks to accommodate busy schedules. Students complete four consulting projects with Australian organizations to gain hands-on experience. The program boasts gender-balanced classes and partners with Arianna Huffington’s company Thrive Global. 

University of Western Australia (UWA) Business School at the University of Western Australia (Perth) – UWA Business School was ranked 6th in Oceania by QS and 3rd in the nation by the Australian Financial Review. Students can specialize in Social Impact or Oil and Gas (the first program of its type in Australia). Class times are flexible and graduate certifications can be used to enter the MBA flex program. Alumni have the ability to take free classes and workshops through UWA’s Lifelong Learning Program. 

QUT Business School at Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane) – Ranked 3rd in the nation by the Australian Financial Review, QUT was the first Australian b-school to gain triple international accreditation. Selected students have the opportunity to participate in a 2-week program at MIT Sloan to develop skills in entrepreneurship and digital innovation.

Insider Interviews with Australian MBA Admissions Directors

Listen to our in-depth interviews about what makes each MBA program unique and what you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting in:

Post-MBA Careers in Australia

Visa – After graduation, you can apply for a temporary graduate visa (Subclass 485), which allows you to work anywhere from 18 months to 4 years.

Taxes – If you study in Australia for more than six months, you may be regarded as an Australian resident for tax purposes and receive many of the tax benefits granted to citizens. Australian residents pay 0 – 45% income taxes, depending on their income bracket. Foreign residents pay 32.5 – 45% income taxes, depending on their income bracket.

Geography – More than 80% of full-time Australian MBAs stay in Australia to work.

Industry – Consulting, finance, marketing, and technology are the leading sectors for recent MBA graduates.

Return on Investment – The average cost of a top Australian MBA is less than half that of the top 25 US MBA programs, and most can be completed in 12 or 18 months. AGSM was ranked 60th in value for money by Financial Times in 2023. 

Head to Head – Melbourne MBA vs. AGSM MBA vs. Macquarie MBA

Comparison table best viewed on a bigger screen. Last updated September 2023.

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