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 July 2024

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 2025 QS World University Rankings and five of them were ranked top 100 worldwide in the 2024 QS Global MBA Rankings. 

2. MBAs can apply for a Post-Study Work visa, which allows them to live, study, and work in Australia for up to 18 months (Hong Kong and British Nationals can stay for up to to five years). 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.

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. In 2023, the Heritage Foundation ranked Australia first for financial freedom and third for trade freedom globally. Australia consistently earns 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 consistently ranks as a top 5 most attractive country for renewable energy investment by Ernst & Young’s Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index.

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, and the Australian Financial Review to select three outstanding MBA programs and six honorable mentions. So, check down under to discover which of these business schools could be a great fit for you.

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

Australian Graduate School of Management is one of two school to be included on the Financial Times’ 2024 top 100 MBA list, coming in at #79. The Australian Financial Review placed it first in the country, and the AGSM MBA was ranked 31st in the world by QS. 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.

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

University of Sydney Business School at the University of Sydney (Sydney)

Breaking into the top 3 this year is the University of Sydney MBA. 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 business school from each country.

The MBA program was ranked 1st in Australia by the Financial Times in 2024 and 6th in the nation by Australian Financial Review in 2023. It is organized around 3 focus areas: personal and interpersonal skills development, business knowledge and skills development, and building future enterprises.

The University of Sydney has an outstanding reputation – it was ranked 18th globally by QS and its graduates ranked 4th for employability. After graduation, University of Sydney Business School MBA alumni can expect to earn the highest median salaries amongst their peers. 

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 business 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 the MBS MBA 30th in the world and first in Oceania. The Australian Financial Review placed the school second in the country.

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

Honorable Mentions

Other Australian MBA programs worth exploring:

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. 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.

College of Business and Economics at the Australian National University (Canberra) – Located in Australia’s capital, this 1-year MBA program is aimed at public sector leaders with at least 5 years of work experience transitioning to senior leadership roles.

University of Western Australia (UWA) Business School at the University of Western Australia (Perth) – UWA bills itself as Western Australia’s leading MBA program. The 12-18 month MBA starts in January with an annual intake of 30-35 students. UWA MBA students can specialize in Social Impact or Oil and Gas (the first program of its type in Australia). The program prides itself in having 1-1 mentoring and masterclasses from senior industry executives. Alumni can take free classes and workshops through UWA’s Lifelong Learning Program. 

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. 

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. QUT’s Full-time MBA lasts 18 months and 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:

“They need to demonstrate the desire to succeed… We’re looking for people with diverse and unusual backgrounds. Maybe they have a unique background geographically or their career has taken them somewhere that’s a little bit different or unusual to the rest of the cohort… How did they make the decision to move countries or take that position that’s completely out of their depth or that pushed them to their absolute limits. Those are the type of people we want to hear from and we get really excited about to meet them.” – Anastasia Georgiou, Director of Admissions, Melbourne Business School MBA Program

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’s MBA was ranked 47th and the University of Sydney’s MBA 63rd in value for money by Financial Times in 2024. 

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

Comparison table best viewed on a bigger screen. Last updated July 2024.

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