MBA in Australia: Top Schools, Costs & Career Benefits- think-mba.com

Australia is among the top five study destinations for international students who want to pursue an MBA abroad. The country’s friendly immigration norms, great living standards, and study culture make it one of the top destinations for pursuing an MBA.

According to newly released rankings of the 100 Top MBA Programs from LinkedIn, two Australian MBAs made the list, with Melbourne Business School (University of Melbourne) ranking at 67, and the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW Business School coming in at 81.

What sets the country apart is its multicultural environment that helps students adjust well and build networks for future work prospects, and the tuition fees relatively affordable compared to these from US universities ranging from USD 22, 526 – USD 45, 052 (average for the first year).

The country has a range of exceptionally ranked MBA universities that have been globally recognized for training students who wish to become market-ready, and for developed individuals displaying multidimensional skills. Australia has four of its schools featured among the top 100 MBA universities in the World by Quacquarelli Symonds Global MBA Rankings 2025.

The MBA is one of the most sought-after postgraduate courses in Australia, with benefits including higher salaries for graduates, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience.

Australia has a global reputation for world-class education, particularly when it comes to MBA courses. With prestigious universities that consistently score highly in global rankings, it’s the ideal place to undertake an MBA or related qualification that you can use locally or internationally.

International students can pursue an MBA from Australia at around 60 popular universities. The duration of the MBA course in Australia is vary from university to university. Most of the top Australian universities have a duration of 12 months or 25-36 months for an MBA.

Some of the top 5 MBA Providers in Australia (2026 QS Rankings):

Melbourne Business School – 31st globally
UNSW (AGSM) – 32nd globally
University of Sydney Business School – 44th globally
UQ Business School – 99th globally
Macquarie Business School (MQBS) – 121–130 globally

Types of MBAs in Australia

A wide range of MBA specializations is available across universities in Australia. Some of the popular MBA specialization options are:

International Business, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Hospitality, Sales & Marketing, Project Management, Healthcare & Hospital, Public Policy, Supply Chain.

Students, can opt for different types of programs according to their preferences:

Full-Time MBA: In a full-time MBA program, students need to attend classes regularly. This program is fit for those who do not want to work alongside and just wish to concentrate on obtaining the degree. Most of the younger lot target the full-time MBA course.

Part-Time MBA: Students who wish to earn along with studying opt for a part-time MBA program. They usually attend their classes post their office/work timings or during weekends when they’re free. Most of the time part-timers take more time completing their courses due to their tough job schedules.

Dual Degree: The advantage of pursuing a dual-degree program is that along with your MBA, you can pursue another complementary graduate degree in less time. Apart from MBA, you can get a degree in education, medicine, engineering, nursing, science, etc.

Top MBA courses in Australia

The two top MBA courses in Australia cover a range of areas that can help you find business jobs across different industry sectors, or pursue more long-term business careers:

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

It is designed to equip the student with an understanding of business fundamentals, a new perspective on problem solving and a set of business skills that you can immediately apply in professional situations.

Executive Master of Business Administration (Executive MBA)

Designed for ambitious executives, can help accelerate the student’s career, advance into a more senior role or develop a business venture.

Other masters’ courses to consider:

Master of Finance

A Master of Finance is built to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge to excel in corporate roles in the finance sector, banking and fund management as well as within the public sector.

Master of Marketing

A Master of Marketing builds your creative and strategic skills in marketing, equipping you to deliver plans and solutions for a range of organisations.

Master of Commerce

A Master of Commerce helps you develop a range of advanced business skills within the context of understanding the roles and uses of commerce in different global environments.

Master of International Business

A Master of International Business helps you develop research skills as well as industry-relevant abilities in operational leadership; cross-cultural, analytical and technical competency; problem-solving, and effective communication.

Tuition fees – Top 10 most affordable MBAs

With the cost of living in Australia compared to that of the USA, the tuition fee becomes a big point of differentiator which might urge you to look towards this country instead of the other hot destinations for an MBA.

Average first-year tuition fee:

Melbourne Business School: USD 35,000
UNSW: USD 49,000
University of Sydney Business School: USD 35,000
Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University: USD 24,000 – USD 29,000
University of Western Australia Business School: USD 22,000 – USD 36,000

The average living expenses for students in Australia can be up to USD12.400 or more.

Scholarships for MBAs in Australia

Over 600 scholarships are available in Australia for international students planning to pursue an MBA. Scholarships play a key role in helping those students who are not very high on budget and have difficulty bearing the living expenditure as well as the tuition fee.

Merit holders and students with academic brilliance can avail of many such scholarships that bear their travel costs and study and living expenses. Students can read more about the available scholarships to study in Australia and their details.

Student Visa Cost for Australia

A student visa to study in Australia is required by international students. According to the new visa guidelines, all students planning to study in Australia are required to apply for a Visa under Subclass 500. Check details about Australian Student Visa from here.

MBA in Australia Admission Requirements

The MBA entry requirements at different universities or schools in Australia are more or less the same. Listed below are the basic eligibility criteria to pursue an MBA in Australia:

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution:

A good GMAT or GRE score is mandatory
IELTS or TOEFL is required as English language proficiency proof
Personal statement and letter of recommendation
Updated resume with at least two years of work experience

Career prospects for MBA students

The MBA is one of the most sought-after post graduate courses in Australia, with benefits include higher salaries for graduates, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience, according to the Australian Government’s Study Australia website.

According to Seek, business managers in Australia report high job satisfaction and a salary of around $115,000, or even higher. It’s a job in high demand that’s expected to grow by around 9.2 per cent over the next five years, suggesting a healthy demand for skilled leaders.

Demand for MBA graduates is strong. An annual recruiter survey reports significant rebounds in hiring and salary projections for MBA graduates in recent years, while demand expected to increase or remain stable in years to come. Statistically , you will end up in a senior position with an MBA under your belt, too.

Is an MBA in Australia worth it?

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024, which is conducted four to six months after students complete their studies and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, 78.8 per cent of domestic postgraduate business and management graduates felt their course prepared them well or very well for their current role.

This figure rose to 80 per cent among those in managerial or professional roles, highlighting how postgraduate business and management studies, including MBAs, have high career relevance and impact among Australians.

When studying an MBA in Australia, the student is setting himself up for the ability to command a higher salary, build network connections and develop additional skills that are invaluable in business environments.

He will also have the opportunity to grow a strong network of industry connections, forging links with fellow students and active professionals from around the world.

MBA gives graduates the skills to develop a framework for problem solving in the modern world. Aside from building a global perspective, the experience will expose students to diverse viewpoints and bolster future employment opportunities.

Studying an MBA in Australia opens up a wide range of career opportunities in management, entrepreneurship and related industries. Depending on the area of specialisation, different roles can be pursued: business administrator, marketing manager, operations manager, international business developer, start-up leader, entrepreneur, etc.