Trying to juggle working and all your other responsibilities can make studying feel impossible. In today’s hectic world, a growing number of people are turning to online learning to help them achieve the qualifications they need and further their careers. There are many benefits of studying online. You get to work at your own pace around your other commitments, and can also make big savings on gaining your qualification as you won’t need to move away and pay accommodation costs.
Many universities in Australia now offer online degree courses. However, the courses offered and the standard of education you receive may vary. This makes it essential to choose the best Australian online university for your needs. Here, we’ll detail the top 5 best Australian universities for studying online, and share the pros and cons of these to help you make an informed decision.
1. UNSW Sydney: Best for Graduate Outcomes
UNSW offer a wide range of courses for graduates looking to boost their careers with a respected qualification. Studying at UNSW Online provides the unique opportunity to earn a graduate degree through fully remote learning, but still provides interaction with other students via online events.
As well as being completely online, UNSW courses are well-respected worldwide. For professionals hoping to elevate their careers to the next level, UNSW is ideal. UNSW is recognised as having the most employable graduates for the past five years by the AFR, Top Future Leaders Awards. UNSW graduates also earn the highest average salaries when compared with other graduates in Australia.
| PROS: | CONS: |
| Courses run 100% online | Undergraduate courses not available online |
| Ranked 19th in QS World University Rankings, 2025 | |
| Course materials are ready so that you can study at any time | |
| Psychology and wellness services are available to support you | |
| Dedicated services for indigenous students | |
| Virtual meetups to engage with other students | |
| Voted as having the most employable graduates for five consecutive years in the AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards |
2. University of New England, Australia (UNE): Best for Online Undergraduate Courses
The University of New England, Australia (UNE) has offered distance learning for over 70 years. A wide choice of both undergraduate and graduate study programs is available. A free Pathway Program is available to help students gain the credits needed to be accepted on to an undergraduate course.
Online students at UNE are able to study at their own pace, and a weekly plan is provided to each student by their lecturer.
| PROS: | CONS: |
| Wide choice of undergraduate programmes available for online study | Some students report a lack of administrative support |
| Both overseas and domestic students can apply for online courses | Reviews suggest that support is lacking when trying to gain professional placements |
| Bespoke Graduate Program available, enabling students to create their own degree | |
| Course materials can be accessed at any time | |
| Online facilities available at all times |
3. Swinburne University Online: Best for Live Online Study
If you like the idea of studying online, but still want to enjoy the benefits of live lectures, Swinburne University may be the right choice for you. Real-time engagement with lecturers and fellow students forms part of the study programs.
Swinburne University offers a wide range of online courses. These include graduate, undergraduate, vocational courses, and short courses. Course subjects are varied, covering everything from business to education.
| PROS: | CONS: |
| Huge range of courses available to study | Some students complain of a lack of student support |
| Live lectures and real-time engagement available | Reviews suggest that the resources provided don’t reflect the cost of the courses |
| Courses run 100% online | |
| Lecturers are experts in their industries |
4. Deakin University: Best for Industry Relevance
Deakin University is based in Victoria, but offers a wide range of online courses. Deakin University is well-established in the online learning sector and has been running online courses since the 1990s.
At Deakin University, there is a focus on employment after graduating. Courses are taught by lecturers with industry experience, and are designed to incorporate real-world skills to benefit students’ future careers.
Online courses are available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels. Subject areas offered as online courses at Deakin University include everything from art to sport.
| PROS: | CONS: |
| Well-established online courses | Some students report that lecturers don’t have the required skills and knowledge to provide high-quality teaching |
| Courses are designed by industry experts | |
| Focused on equipping students with real-world skills | |
| Flexible study options | |
| Varied range of courses available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels |
5. Monash University Online: Best for International Opportunities
Monash University offers distance learning courses through Monash Online. Unlike many other universities, Monash not only accepts international students but also provides global connections with other universities across the world.
Students studying online at Monash University are able to do so 100% remotely, and also benefit from having student support available to them seven days a week. This Group of Eight university has a strong reputation and also provides various means of career support to students after they have graduated to help them secure employment.
A wide range of courses is available to students, but some students highlight the cost of tuition fees at the university as being high.
| PROS: | CONS: |
| Connections to universities around the world | Tuition fees are more expensive than at some online universities |
| Support is available seven days a week | Some courses cannot be studied on a part time basis |
| Group of Eight university | |
| Courses are studied 100% online | |
| Career support is available after graduating |
Which Australian Online University is the Right Choice for You?
As you can see, if you are hoping to study for an online degree in Australia, you have many options to choose from. Taking your time to carefully consider each university on its merits and reading reviews from current and past students can help you to make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
Selecting the best possible online university is vital if you are to excel in your studies, boost your career and enjoy the professional advantages that this brings.
