Find out which institutions performed best in key areas and the one that took out the overall top spot in the Financial Review Best Universities Ranking.
The University of Melbourne has been recognised as Australia’s leading university. It was also the top-ranked Australian university in the 2025 QS World University Rankings this year. Penny Stephens
University of Melbourne vice chancellor Professor Emma Johnston is incredibly proud not only of what she has achieved in just shy of 10 months with the 172-year-old university, but of the institution’s success in teaching and research over many decades.
The university, which Johnston joined as VC in February, has taken out the top spot in the Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2025. The University of Queensland is in equal second, after being number one for the past two years, with the University of NSW, and fellow Melbourne institution Monash University ranked fourth.
Hannah TattersallActing editor, AFR Rich ListHannah Tattersall is the acting editor of the AFR Rich List. She was previously a work and careers reporter for The Australian Financial Review. Email Hannah at hannah.tattersall@afr.com
