University of Notre Dame Australia

The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) is one of Australia’s youngest private universities — a Roman Catholic institution founded in 1989 through an Act of the Parliament of Western Australia. With more than 12,000 students across campuses in Fremantle (Perth), Sydney, and Broome, Notre Dame has carved out a distinctive identity: a teaching-focused, values-driven university known for small classes, high placement hours in health and education degrees, outstanding student satisfaction, and genuine pastoral care for every student.

In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Notre Dame Australia is placed in the #1201–1400 band — an improvement from 1401+ in 2025 — and ranked 36th in Australia. While its global rank is modest, its domestic reputation is strong: it earned 5 stars in the Good Universities Guide 2025 for learner engagement, skills development, full-time employment, and graduate salary. Indicative international tuition for 2026 ranges from approximately AUD 32,199–45,523 per year for undergraduates and AUD 34,078–83,997 for postgraduates, with an International Welcome Scholarship of 25% off tuition available for undergraduate coursework students.

This complete 2026 guide covers the University of Notre Dame Australia’s rankings, popular programs, admission requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, campuses, accommodation, deadlines, and the Australian student visa.

University of Notre Dame Australia Rankings 2026

• QS World University Rankings 2026: #1201–1400 (improved from 1401+ in 2025)
• QS national position: 36th in Australia (QS 2026)
• THE World University Rankings: not prominently ranked (some aggregators list ~#1500+ band)
• Good Universities Guide 2025: 5 stars for learner engagement, skills development, full-time employment, and graduate salary
• US News: not ranked in the global top tier

Notre Dame’s ranking story is one of a young, teaching-intensive university: it doesn’t compete on research volume with the Group of Eight, but its 5-star student outcomes — engagement, skills, employment, and salaries — are the metrics that matter most to undergraduates choosing a university for career preparation. The improvement from 1401+ (2025) to the #1201–1400 band (2026) in the QS World University Rankings suggests the university’s growing research output and international reputation are beginning to register globally, even as its core strength remains the undergraduate teaching experience.

Popular Programs at University of Notre Dame Australia

Notre Dame offers programs across three faculties: Arts, Sciences, Law and Business; Education, Philosophy and Theology; and Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery and Health Sciences. Its nursing, education, and business courses are known for high placement hours, and it is one of only two institutions in Western Australia offering physiotherapy and postgraduate medicine.

Undergraduate Programs

• Bachelor of Nursing (3 years) — extensive clinical placements; one of Notre Dame’s flagship programs (indicative tuition ~AUD 38,000–42,000/year)
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy (4 years) — one of only two WA providers; Master of Physiotherapy scholarship ($7,500/year) available at PG level
• Bachelor of Laws (4 years; combined options available) — small-cohort legal education with practical focus
• Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Business Administration (3 years) — 16 specialisations (indicative tuition ~AUD 32,199–38,000/year)
• Bachelor of Education (Primary/Secondary) (4 years) — high placement hours in schools
• Bachelor of Arts (3 years) — including journalism at the Fremantle campus (indicative tuition ~AUD 33,589/year)

Postgraduate Programs

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) (4 years) — postgraduate medicine; one of only two WA providers (indicative tuition ~AUD 52,000–55,000 USD/year, i.e. ~AUD 80,000+/year)
• Master of Physiotherapy (2 years) — with a $7,500/year fee-reduction scholarship for eligible international students
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) (1.5–2 years) — for experienced professionals
• Master of Education (1–2 years) — advanced teaching and leadership pathways
• Master of Laws — postgraduate legal study
• Master of Counselling / Master of Psychology (Clinical) — health-science postgraduate pathways

Notre Dame’s heritage campuses are part of the experience: the Fremantle campus occupies restored late-Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian buildings in the historic West End, while Sydney campuses sit in landmark Broadway and Darlinghurst locations with clinical schools across regional NSW and Victoria.

Within the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, Law and Business, students can also pursue the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (a pathway toward postgraduate medicine and allied health), Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Bachelor of Communications & Media, and combined law degrees such as Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce. The Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Theology offers the Bachelor of Philosophy alongside education degrees, reflecting the university’s Catholic intellectual tradition. At postgraduate level, the Master of Teaching (Secondary), Graduate Diploma of Education, Master of Health Leadership, and research awards (MPhil, PhD) round out the portfolio. Notre Dame’s program design consistently emphasises professional placements and practical hours — nursing students complete extensive clinical rotations, education students spend significant time in classrooms, and business students engage with industry projects — which is a key reason employers rate its graduates so highly.

University of Notre Dame Australia Admission Requirements 2026

Undergraduate Entry

• High school diploma or equivalent (Year 12 completion)
• India (CBSE/ISC): approximately 65–70%+ in best four subjects for most programs; higher for Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Law
• Bangladesh (HSC): approximately GPA 3.5+/5.0; foundation pathways available
• IB: approximately 25–28 points; A-Levels: approximately BCC–ABB depending on program
• Health programs (Nursing, Physiotherapy) may require additional prerequisites (e.g., science subjects) and fitness/immunisation clearances

Postgraduate Entry

• A recognised bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Doctor of Medicine: bachelor’s degree plus GAMSAT/MCAT-style admissions testing and interview — highly competitive
• MBA: bachelor’s degree plus professional work experience
• PhD/MPhil: honours or master’s degree with a research component, plus a research proposal and supervisor agreement

Documents Required

• Academic transcripts and certificates (certified copies)
• English language test results (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
• Passport bio page
• Resume/CV (postgraduate and research programs)
• Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
• Letters of recommendation (if required)
• Research proposal (PhD/MPhil)

Applications are submitted through Notre Dame’s International Admissions Portal or via a registered education agent. All figures are indicative — verify current requirements at notredame.edu.au.

Country-Specific Guidance

India: CBSE/ISC students typically need 65–70%+ in best four subjects for standard programs (business, arts, science); 75%+ for Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Law. Indian three-year bachelor’s degrees are recognised for master’s entry; the MD requires additional admissions testing regardless of background.

Bangladesh: HSC students with GPA 3.5+/5.0 may gain direct entry to most programs; competitive health programs may require GPA 4.0+. Foundation or diploma pathways are available for students below direct-entry thresholds.

Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka: Higher Secondary / A-Level equivalents are assessed against Australian Year 12 benchmarks; Notre Dame’s admissions team evaluates each country’s qualifications individually. Prior health-science diplomas may earn credit toward nursing and allied-health degrees.

Mature-age entry: Notre Dame welcomes mature-age students — alternative entry pathways including STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test) results, prior VET qualifications, and work experience are considered, particularly for education and business programs.

English Language Requirements

Health programs (Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medicine) typically require higher scores — commonly IELTS 7.0 across all bands for Nursing. Always confirm program-specific requirements before booking a test.

University of Notre Dame Australia Tuition Fees for International Students (2026)

Indicative 2026 international tuition (shiksha.com estimates; confirm exact fees on the official schedule):

Undergraduate (indicative annual tuition)

Postgraduate (indicative annual tuition)

Overall reported ranges: UG AUD 32,199–45,523 and PG AUD 34,078–83,997 per year (indicative). Note the 25% International Welcome Scholarship (below) can significantly reduce undergraduate costs.

Cost of Living in Fremantle and Sydney (2026)

Notre Dame’s two main campuses sit in very different cost environments: Fremantle (Perth) is moderately priced, while Sydney is Australia’s most expensive student city. Indicative monthly budgets:

Shiksha estimates Notre Dame’s average cost of living at approximately AUD 4,986–8,986 per year (a conservative figure — budget higher for Sydney). For the student visa, show AUD 29,710/year in living funds.

Money-Saving Tips

• Choose Fremantle over Sydney where your program allows — living costs are roughly 25–35% lower
• Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester; Perth’s hospitality and healthcare sectors hire students readily
• Notre Dame’s residential colleges bundle meals and community — compare the all-in cost against private rentals before deciding
• Broome campus students face a smaller, remote-town rental market — arrange housing well before arrival

Part-Time Work Opportunities

International students on a Subclass 500 visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. At Australia’s minimum casual wage (approximately AUD 30+/hour in 2026, indicative), full fortnightly hours could yield roughly AUD 1,400+ per fortnight before tax. Notre Dame students have a particular advantage: health and education students can often find course-relevant casual work as aged-care assistants, disability support workers, allied-health assistants, or tutors — experience that strengthens both resumes and graduate employability. Fremantle’s tourism and hospitality strip, and Sydney’s vast service economy, both offer abundant student shifts. The university’s Student Success team and career services help international students with resume writing, interview preparation, and navigating Australian workplace expectations.

University of Notre Dame Australia Scholarships for International Students

• International Welcome Scholarship — 25% off tuition: for international students commencing an undergraduate coursework program (excluding Bachelor of Nursing) at the Sydney or Fremantle campuses. Awarded as a partial tuition waiver for the full duration of the program. Students must have accepted an offer and be eligible for a Subclass 500 visa. (Cannot be combined with certain other awards — if nominated for two scholarships, only one is received.)
• Master of Physiotherapy Scholarship — $7,500/year fee reduction: for international students in the Master of Physiotherapy, applied for the full duration of the program.
• Destination Australia scholarships: Australian Government-funded awards that eligible Notre Dame students may access, particularly relevant for regional campus study.
• Postgraduate research funding: HDR candidates may access research stipends and fee support — enquire with the research office.

Important: international students cannot apply for scholarships before enrolling — you must have received an offer from the university first. All Notre Dame scholarships are open to both domestic and international students unless stated otherwise, so read each award’s conditions carefully.

How to Maximise Your Chances

• The 25% Welcome Scholarship applies to most undergraduate programs — factor it into your cost comparison from the start (it can bring effective UG tuition to ~AUD 24,000–34,000/year)
• Apply for every scholarship you’re eligible for — the university explicitly permits multiple applications (though only one award is ultimately received)
• Physiotherapy applicants should prioritise the dedicated $7,500/year award

Campus and Facilities

• Fremantle (Perth): the founding campus — restored late-Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian buildings in the historic West End, contributing to Fremantle’s heritage character. Home to the full program range including health sciences.
• Sydney (Broadway and Darlinghurst): landmark inner-city locations; popular programs include Nursing, Physiotherapy, MD, Education, MBA, and Laws.
• Broome (Kimberley): regional campus serving northern Western Australia; no on-campus accommodation (off-campus arranged through the university’s accommodation service).
• Clinical schools: additional clinical training sites across regional NSW and Victoria, supporting the MD, Nursing, and allied-health programs.

Facilities include nursing and physiotherapy simulation labs, moot courts, science laboratories, libraries, and chapel and pastoral-care spaces reflecting the university’s Catholic identity. Support services include the Student Success team (free academic support: referencing, assignment writing, exam preparation), mentoring programmes pairing new international students with experienced mentors, and dedicated English language support. The Fremantle campus’s heritage buildings house modern teaching spaces inside — a striking blend of 19th-century architecture and contemporary simulation technology that gives the campus its distinctive character. Sydney students benefit from inner-city clinical and professional networks, with hospitals, law firms, and schools within easy reach of the Broadway and Darlinghurst sites.

Accommodation Options

On-Campus (Residential Colleges)

• The Fremantle and Sydney campuses offer on-campus accommodation in residential colleges — fully furnished single or shared rooms, meal plans, and study/social facilities
• Indicative cost: approximately AUD 350–550 per week including meals (confirm current college rates)
• College living provides a supportive environment ideal for first-year international students

Off-Campus

• Fremantle shared rentals: indicative AUD 150–215 per week per room (shiksha)
• Sydney shared rentals: indicative AUD 250–375 per week per room
• Homestay: indicative AUD 300–380 per week including meals
• The Broome campus has no on-campus accommodation — students use off-campus options via the university’s accommodation service

Tip: Sydney’s rental market is extremely competitive — begin your search as soon as you accept your offer, and consider the residential colleges for at least your first year.

Application Deadlines and Intakes 2026

Deadlines are indicative and vary by program — competitive programs (MD, Physiotherapy, Nursing) close earlier. Apply 3–4 months before your intended intake to allow visa processing time. Some postgraduate programs offer additional intakes — check the official course pages.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Choose your course and campus — explore programs at notredame.edu.au and decide between Fremantle, Sydney, or Broome
2. Check entry requirements — academic thresholds plus English scores; note higher requirements for Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Medicine
3. Gather documents — certified transcripts, English results, passport bio page, CV (PG), Statement of Purpose, and references if required
4. Apply online — through Notre Dame’s International Admissions Portal or via a registered education agent
5. Receive your offer — unconditional or conditional; sign the Offer Acceptance Form and pay the tuition deposit
6. Apply for scholarships — after receiving your offer (the 25% Welcome Scholarship and others require an offer first)
7. Get your CoE and apply for the Subclass 500 visa — with financial evidence (AUD 29,710/year living costs), OSHC, and a Genuine Student statement

Australia Student Visa — Key Points

• Visa type: Student visa (Subclass 500); Notre Dame’s CRICOS code is 01032F
• Living-cost requirement: AUD 29,710 per year plus tuition and travel
• Work rights: up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester; unlimited during scheduled breaks
• Health insurance: OSHC mandatory for the entire stay
• Genuine Student requirement: written statement of genuine study intent, financial capacity, and ties to home country
• Post-study work: Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), typically 2–4 years depending on qualification level and study location

Research Excellence

As a young, teaching-focused university, Notre Dame’s research profile is modest compared to research-intensive peers, but it maintains active scholarship in health and medical sciences (supporting its MD and allied-health programs), education, philosophy and theology, law, and Aboriginal and community health — particularly through its Broome campus and Kimberley connections. HDR candidates (MPhil/PhD) can access supervision in these areas, with research stipends available for eligible candidates.

Notable Alumni

As a university founded in 1989, Notre Dame Australia’s alumni network is young but growing across healthcare, education, law, and business. Its graduates are particularly visible in Western Australian healthcare — nursing, physiotherapy, and medicine — and in Catholic education leadership nationally. The university’s emphasis on ethics and service shapes an alumni culture oriented toward community-facing professions rather than headline corporate careers.

University of Notre Dame Australia vs Peers: Comparison Table

Rankings and fees are indicative. Notre Dame’s edge in this peer group is its 5-star student-outcome ratings and the 25% Welcome Scholarship, which brings effective undergraduate tuition close to public-university levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the University of Notre Dame Australia QS ranking 2026?

The University of Notre Dame Australia ranks #1201–1400 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (improved from 1401+ in 2025) and 36th in Australia. It earned 5 stars in the Good Universities Guide 2025 for learner engagement, skills development, full-time employment, and graduate salary.

2. Is Notre Dame Australia a Catholic university?

Yes — it is a private Roman Catholic university founded in 1989 through an Act of the WA Parliament. Its Catholic identity shapes its emphasis on ethics, pastoral care, and community service, but students of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome.

3. What are the tuition fees for international students?

Indicative 2026: UG AUD 32,199–45,523/year and PG AUD 34,078–83,997/year (shiksha.com). The 25% International Welcome Scholarship reduces undergraduate tuition significantly; the MD is the most expensive program at ~AUD 80,000+/year.

4. What IELTS score is required?

IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for most programs; TOEFL iBT 84 and PTE 58 are accepted. Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Medicine typically require IELTS 7.0.

5. Does Notre Dame offer scholarships to international students?

Yes — the International Welcome Scholarship (25% off UG tuition, full duration), a $7,500/year Master of Physiotherapy scholarship, Destination Australia scholarships, and research stipends. You must have an offer before applying for scholarships; you may apply for multiple awards but can receive only one.

6. Where are Notre Dame’s campuses?

Fremantle (Perth) — the historic founding campus; Sydney (Broadway and Darlinghurst); and Broome (Kimberley) — a regional campus with no on-campus accommodation. Clinical schools operate across regional NSW and Victoria.

7. What is unique about studying at Notre Dame?

Small classes, heritage campuses, high placement hours in health and education degrees, a values-driven Catholic ethos, and 5-star student outcomes. It is one of only two WA institutions offering physiotherapy and postgraduate medicine.

8. What is the cost of living near Notre Dame?

Indicative AUD 1,330–1,920/month in Fremantle and AUD 1,850–2,750/month in Sydney with shared accommodation. For the visa, show AUD 29,710/year in living funds.

9. Can I work while studying?

Yes — up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester on a Subclass 500 visa, unlimited during breaks. Health students often find relevant part-time work in aged care, disability support, and hospital assistant roles.

10. How do I apply?

Apply through Notre Dame’s International Admissions Portal or a registered education agent with transcripts, English results, passport, and supporting documents. After receiving your offer, apply for scholarships, accept, get your CoE, and apply for the Subclass 500 student visa.

11. What is the Genuine Student requirement?

For the Subclass 500 visa, you must satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement with a written statement covering your study goals, reasons for choosing Notre Dame Australia, financial capacity, and ties to your home country. As a smaller private university, Notre Dame’s admissions team scrutinises applications carefully — a clear, honest GS statement aligned with your chosen program significantly improves visa prospects.

12. Is Notre Dame Australia good for medicine?

Notre Dame is one of only two Western Australian institutions offering postgraduate medicine (Doctor of Medicine), with clinical schools across regional NSW and Victoria providing diverse training environments. Its MD is competitive and expensive (indicative ~AUD 80,000+/year), but the small-cohort, values-driven medical education and strong clinical placement network make it a serious option for aspiring doctors. Its nursing, physiotherapy, and allied-health programs are equally well-regarded, with high placement hours built into every degree.

Final Thoughts

The University of Notre Dame Australia won’t top global league tables — QS 2026 places it in the #1201–1400 band. But for students who value teaching quality, small classes, ethical formation, and graduate outcomes over research prestige, Notre Dame is a genuinely distinctive choice: 5-star ratings for engagement, skills, employment, and salaries; heritage campuses in Fremantle and Sydney; one of WA’s only physiotherapy and postgraduate medicine providers; and a 25% Welcome Scholarship that makes its private-university tuition competitive with public alternatives.

If you want a values-driven Australian education with personal attention and strong health-science pathways, Notre Dame deserves your consideration. Its combination of heritage campuses, small cohorts, extensive clinical placements, and 5-star graduate outcomes offers something genuinely different from Australia’s large public universities — an education measured not by research rankings but by the quality of its graduates. Verify current fees, scholarships, and entry requirements at notredame.edu.au before applying.

Sources and Verification

• yocket.com — University of Notre Dame Australia QS 2026 rankings (#1201–1400)
• gostudyin.com — University of Notre Dame Australia programs, rankings, accommodation
• shiksha.com — University of Notre Dame tuition fees 2026, scholarships Q&A
• standyou.com — University of Notre Dame Australia Sydney campus: tuition, admission process
• scholarshipunion.com — University of Notre Dame Scholarship 2026 (Physiotherapy)
• canamgroup.com — International Welcome Scholarship terms (25%)
• Good Universities Guide 2025 — 5-star ratings
• Official website: notredame.edu.au

Disclaimer: All rankings, fees, and scholarship figures are indicative and compiled from third-party sources in October 2026. Always verify current details on the official university website before making application decisions. StudyGraduate is an information portal, not an education agent — we do not guarantee admissions, scholarships, or visa outcomes.