The Group of Eight (Go8) is a team of eight research-focused universities in Australia: ANU, Adelaide University, Melbourne, Monash, UNSW, Queensland, Sydney and Western Australia. All eight sit inside the QS 2027 world top 100. If you want to study in Australia, this is a smart list to start with.
Go8 sounds like a secret agent squad. It’s actually a university club, and getting into it is harder than the name suggests.
What Is the Group of Eight?
The Group of Eight formed in 1999. It brings together Australia’s most research-heavy universities and speaks for them on education and research policy.
The group says its members spend about $10 billion a year on research and award half of Australia’s doctorates. Those are the group’s own figures, so read them as proud-parent numbers.
The Full List of Group of Eight With QS 2027 Rankings
QS released its 2027 world rankings in June 2026. Here’s where each member landed.
| University | City | QS World Ranking 2027 |
| UNSW Sydney | Sydney | 19 |
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne | 22 |
| University of Sydney | Sydney | 28 |
| Australian National University (ANU) | Canberra | 29 |
| Monash University | Melbourne | 31 |
| University of Queensland | Brisbane | 40 |
| University of Western Australia | Perth | 77 |
| Adelaide University | Adelaide | 79 |
UNSW became Australia’s top-ranked university for the first time this year, ahead of Melbourne.
Nine Australian universities made the QS top 100. All eight Go8 members are in it, so exactly one non-Go8 university crashed the party.
Did Adelaide Change?
Yes, It Did
Older articles list the University of Adelaide. That university no longer exists under the old name.
The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia merged in January 2026 to form Adelaide University, which now holds the Go8 spot. If a guide still lists the old name, it’s out of date.
Applying for a 2027 start? Check Adelaide University’s own course and entry pages instead of anything published before the merger.
Why Study in Australia at a Go8 University?
Rankings aren’t everything, but they tell you something. Wikipedia reports that Go8 universities appear in the top 50 for every broad subject area in the QS subject rankings.
That means you can find a strong option in almost any field, from engineering to law to arts.
Go8 universities also put a lot of money into research. If you plan a research degree or a PhD, that matters.
Here’s the logic check, though. Being outside the Go8 doesn’t make a university bad. Pick the course, city and budget that fit you first, then look at the badge.
Still comparing countries? Read our guide to the best country to study abroad before you commit.
How Much Does It Cost to Study in Australia?
Costs stack up in layers. Here are the main ones, using current figures from official and migration-adviser sources.
- Student visa fee: A$2,500 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026. It was A$2,000 before that.
- Living-cost funds: You must show about A$29,710 for 12 months as a single student. The Department of Home Affairs sets this number and can change it.
- Tuition and travel: The visa test also asks you to show your first year of fees and your travel costs.
- Health cover: You need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole visa period.
Tuition is where sources disagree. Two guides list Adelaide’s undergraduate fees as A$30,000–44,000 and A$34,000–47,000. One guide puts Melbourne at A$40,000–54,000.
So published estimates for Go8 courses run from roughly A$30,000 to A$54,000 a year. Check each university’s official fee page for your exact course.
How to Apply in Australia at a Go8 University?
- Pick your course and university. Use the list above and the fit tips below.
- Check entry rules and English scores. Each university sets its own. One guide lists an IELTS 6.5 minimum for undergraduate study at Melbourne.
- Apply and collect your offer. Upload your marks, your English test and your passport.
- Accept the offer and get your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You need it for the visa.
- Apply for the Student visa (subclass 500). You must meet the Genuine Student requirement, show enough money, and hold OSHC.
- Plan your arrival. Book housing and flights once the visa arrives.
Can You Work While You Study in Australia?
Yes, with limits. The official Study Australia site says you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session. A fortnight means any two-week period.
During scheduled course breaks, there is no hour limit. Students doing a master’s by research or a doctorate have no limit on hours after their course starts.
You can’t work before your course begins. Treat the 48-hour rule seriously, because breaking it can put your visa at risk.
The 2027 Planning Level: What It Means for Your Application
You’ll hear about the National Planning Level (NPL). For 2027, the government set it at 295,000 new international student starts, the same as 2026.
The NPL isn’t a cap on student visas. It’s a planning tool. The government says no provider will get a lower allocation in 2027 than in 2026.
Here’s the part that affects you. Visa applications get high-priority processing until a provider reaches 80% of its allocation. After that, the university still accepts applications, but visa decisions slow down.
So apply early, and ask your chosen university how much of its allocation remains. Higher degree by research students sit outside the NPL.
Do the Group of Eight Universities in Australia Beat Everyone Else?
Not always. QS’s lists of top Australian universities also include non-Go8 names like UTS and RMIT.
Those universities may suit you better if their course is stronger in your field, or if the entry rules and costs fit you better.
So compare the course itself, not just the club. Look at the subject ranking, the city, the fees and what graduates do next.
Think of it like buying shoes. A famous brand helps, but they still have to fit.
Which Go8 University Fits You?
Guides describe the strengths differently, so treat these as starting points and check each course page.
- ANU (Canberra): One guide lists politics, international relations and law, with the government nearby.
- UNSW (Sydney): QS ranks it first in Australia for graduate employment outcomes, according to a university-ranking guide.
- Melbourne and Sydney: Both draw heavy interest in medicine, law and business.
- Monash and Queensland: Both offer strong engineering, science and business options.
- UWA (Perth) and Adelaide University: One guide suggests them for mining and resources engineering, and for lower costs than the big eastern cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are Go8 universities harder to get into?
Often, yes, for popular courses. One adviser says Sydney, ANU and Melbourne are especially competitive for professional programs, while UNSW and Monash draw strong applicant pools in engineering and business.
Q. When do Australian universities start?
Most run a main intake around February or March and a second one around July. Check each university’s calendar, because dates and term structures differ.
Q. What is the Genuine Student requirement?
It replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant test. You show the government that you truly plan to study, usually by explaining your course choice and your plans.
Q. Can my partner or child come with me?
Yes, they can apply as family members, but you must show extra funds. The reported amounts are A$10,394 for a partner and A$4,449 for a child, on top of your own A$29,710.
Your Next Step
Choose three Go8 courses that match your marks and budget. Open each university’s fee and entry page, and write down the English score and the deadline. Then check the official Study Australia visa page for the latest rules before you pay anything.
Want help comparing options? Talk to a qualified education counsellor who can check your profile against each course.
