Find the ideal online MBA for you. Australia's best online MBA courses are right here.
Which online MBA program from Australia would you prefer? How about the cheapest, a marketing MBA, or a data analysis specialisation? Other options are available. Here are the best MBA programs in Australia across the top 10 categories.
Best Program By MBA Type
1. Accelerated MBA
An online Master of Business Administration is accelerated when you can study across the year without any long breaks. The advantage of the accelerated study mode is that you can finish your degree 33% faster.
In Australia, an accelerated program makes it possible to earn your MBA over 24 months of part-time study. No time off work is required.
Accelerated programs are preferred by many. You're able to make progress steadily and consistently as a working professional. Here's a list of excellent accelerated courses from Australian universities... READ MORE
Ducere Global Business School
Ducere Global Business School has been running an excellent MBA program for a number of years. Graduates receive an MBA degree from the Business School's university partner, Torrens University Australia. The program has strong claims to be Australia's best. Professional development revolves around doing real online projects in small teams. Students often finish the accelerated course in just 12 months while working. Completion rates are fantastic, showing just how much students enjoy the applied learning activities.
2. Business
With an online MBA in Business, the curriculum dwells on essential business topics such as economics, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, management and strategy. The goal is to equip students with knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in leadership roles in the business world. You may spend less time on niche or specialised subjects.
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide’s online MBA brings the best of both worlds. You benefit from the expertise, knowledge and insights of the Adelaide Business School. At the same time, students are afforded all the modern conveniences, such as 100% online study, 6-week teaching blocks, interactive learning opportunities and dedicated online support. The curriculum is well thought out and rigorous. Students gain the tools to confidently manage teams or run a company, studying topics such as leadership, finance, marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Business Analytics
A great investment as part of your MBA studies would be to become knowledgeable and proficient in business analysis. With an MBA in Business Analytics, you'll learn how to leverage data to inform business decisions.
To survive and thrive, companies increasingly must exploit big data to understand business processes and customers, allowing for data-driven strategy and decision making.
You can study for this specialisation with or without a relevant background. Graduates are trained to generate, present, commission, interpret and act on business intelligence... READ MORE
UTS Online
The UTS Online MBA develops strategic leadership and analytical skills. The program balances business management education with specialised business analysis subjects, such as customer analytics, visual analytics, predictive modelling, and delivering organisational value. The Business Analytics specialisation is open to professionals with or without an analytics background and can be completed on a part-time basis while working. It includes 8 core subjects and 4 electives from your chosen major.
4. Cheapest in Australia
Australia's cheapest MBA programs offer value for money. By "cheapest", we mean an MBA from an Australian university that's both affordable and good quality. Here's what we recommend for value in 2023. This is the cheapest all-purpose MBA degree according to the Good Universities guide, costing $35,880 for a 12-subject program. FEE-HELP means you pay nothing up front.
Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University (SCU Online) offers an affordable MBA that you do on a modern learning platform. The 100% online program has 6 start points per year and consists of a series of 7-week modules. You can choose the general program or major in: accounting, health services management, information and knowledge management, or managing and leading people. SCU Online programs are built just for distance learning, making for easy and intuitive online learning.
5. Cyber Security
Protecting the online business environment and securing sensitive data are essential in many management roles. Gain these skills as part of your MBA education with an online MBA in Cyber Security Management.
Topics you may study in a cybersecurity MBA include risk analysis, threat management, digital operations and big data. As well, students do general MBA subjects such as leadership and project management.
Graduating with an MBA in Cyber Security Management positions you for any leadership role while also giving you an inside track on cybersecurity jobs... READ MORE
University of New England
One of the most industry-relevant MBA degrees is available from Australia's leading online university, the University of New England. UNE's MBA with a specialisation in Data and Cyber Management is designed for the managers of the future. It encompasses critical skills that all managers need in today’s digital economy. The 12-unit program covers financial management, business strategy, big data, the cyber mindset, digital operations, project management and leadership in practice. Students complete an industry project organised by UNE's education partner, Ducere Global Business School.
6. Data Analytics
Data analytics is relevant to many management positions. The best leaders leverage business analysis to support decision making. Understand data analytics well allows you to make better decisions and be a technology manager.
An MBA in Data Analytics builds important digital fluency and knowledge. As well as some analytics training, you learn about decision modelling, data management and cyber security.
You don't need a technical background for an MBA in Data Analytics. As with most MBA degrees, leadership and management training is the focus... READ MORE
James Cook University
The MBA Global from James Cook University offers a Data-Driven Decision Making specialisation. Students develop the skills to analyse data and make informed business decisions. Topics include data analysis and decision modeling, information management, analytics technology, and data management, security, privacy, and ethics. This flexible and affordable MBA program, which can be completed entirely online while working, equips students with the knowledge to leverage business data in making management decisions.
7. Health Management
The healthcare industry in Australia is huge and expanding. If you work in health, or would like to, Australian universities offer a selection of online Health MBA programs.
Health majors include Health Management, Digital Health Transformation, and Health Services Management. In all cases, you gain a versatile leadership qualification that will advance your career as a health manager.
Health administration courses are open to graduates from all disciplines. Experience within healthcare or social care services may be beneficial but is generally not essential... READ MORE
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide Business School offers a Health Management major for their MBA program. The degree could open career opportunities in fields such as hospital and clinic management, residential care, allied and community health, insurance, pharmaceutical and more. The program is fully online and utilises e-learning technology, with 6-week study blocks, collaborative learning, and dedicated support. The 12-subject program covers topics such as leadership, finance, marketing, healthcare sector business operations, and challenges faced by health managers.
8. Human Resource Management
An MBA with an HR specialisation is good for HR managers who want to diversify their skill sets. The course is also suitable for general managers looking to strengthen their knowledge and skills in human resource management.
In human resources, managerial responsibilities may include recruitment, performance management systems, learning and development coordination, employee relations, and dispute resolution.
An MBA (HR) is a general management and leadership qualification. Most subjects will be on core business management topics... READ MORE
UTS Online
The UTS Online MBA offers a flexible program with a major in Organisational Learning, which is tailored for HR managers looking to drive and support innovation in employee learning. The 100% online MBA program is made up of 12 subjects, with 8 core subjects and 4 electives. For this specialisation, students have 6 elective options to choose from: Designing Innovative Learning, Evaluating Learning and Innovation, Leading Innovative Practices, Leading Learning, Mentoring in the Workplace, and Strategic Learning in Workplaces. The program also covers business analytics, finance for managers, leading people and change, and strategy and negotiation.
9. Marketing
Marketing is a core business discipline that features in virtually every MBA degree. But you can go a step further and specialise in digital marketing.
A marketing specialisation works for both experienced marketers and those without a marketing background. You learn marketing from a manager's perspective, positioning yourself for executive marketing positions as well as general management roles.
Topics you may explore include digital consumer behaviour, emerging technologies, digital marketing today, and data-driven marketing... READ MORE
UTS Online
The UTS Online MBA develops strategic leadership skills while giving you the analytical capabilities to make evidence-based decisions. The Digital Marketing specialisation is ideal for both experienced marketers and managers from a non-marketing background. You'll benefit from a blend of instruction in business subjects, management principles and modern marketing approaches. The accelerated online program consists of 8 core subjects and 4 electives, with 6 digital marketing subjects to choose from. Topics include digital consumer behaviour, data-driven marketing, emerging technologies, and digital marketing today. You can study for this online MBA part-time while working full-time.
10. Technology Management
MBA in Information Technology, Technology MBA and MBA in Technology Management broadly refer to the same kind of programme. Any Master of Business Administration is essentially a management and leadership course, one in which you can also learn to manage technology projects.
While technical content may be limited, you can still get deep into technology subjects. Specialisations include cyber security management, data analytics management, and design and innovation.
For more technical learning, consider a Masters in Technology Management... READ MORE
RMIT University
The RMIT University online MBA allows you to focus on technology management, with the option to customise course selection to align with individual interests. Specialisation options include Technology and Innovation and Design Thinking as minors or double-minors. The program reflects RMIT's expertise in technology, innovation, and design and covers topics such as leading in the digital age, technology futures, business data analytics, and managing technology and innovation. The courses are developed in collaboration with industry leaders and the MBA program is entirely online. It's open to both degree holders and experienced professionals without a degree.
What You'll Study (Course Structure)
In Australia, an MBA typically consists of 12 subjects. Program duration may vary depending on advanced standing, which refers to the credit you receive for prior learning (education and work experience). In roughly equal proportions, you'll study:
- Business disciplines such as accounting, finance, economics and marketing. You'll learn these from a manager's perspective, emphasising business strategy as opposed to technical skill development.
- Management and leadership topics, such as organisational theory and business management principles. MBA students enhance their leadership abilities through "reflection, knowledge building and experiential learning." (Mallory)
- An area of individual or program specialisation. Most MBA graduates have given extra attention to a particular topic, such as business analytics or digital marketing. Specialisations can be baked into the program, chosen up-front, or constructed through choices for elective units.
The course structure may also include a capstone subject, which is a major project you do at the end of the program. The capstone unit is an opportunity to put theory into practice and also explore a particular area of interest. Often, the capstone course counts as two subjects.
Learning Outcomes
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the premier education program for managers and leaders. You'll gain a combination of core business knowledge and skills, management and leadership strategies, and advanced skills in your area(s) of specialisation. Expect to achieve the following learning outcomes.
A well-rounded business education
Have you noticed that essentially every business, whether small or large, needs people to handle accounting, finance and marketing activities? By earning an MBA, you'll strengthen your knowledge of core business disciplines. You'll gain the business literacy required to interpret information and perform and delegate tasks.
Management and leadership insights
A key reason why you need professional experience before starting an MBA is to gain real-world lessons on managerial challenges, pitfalls, mistakes and triumphs. That experience provides context for learning how to manage and lead effectively.
Prior experience gives you real-life case studies that you can dissect during your MBA studies, while also adding life to the hypothetical scenarios you explore. As an MBA graduate, you'll come away equipped with strategies for how to manage and lead successfully.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for an MBA in Australia vary by graduate school. A business background is not required. You can be admitted to almost any university with a bachelor degree and a couple years of professional experience. You can also access programs without a degree if you have an extensive leadership history.
Students who don't automatically qualify for MBA entry may start with four subjects from a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. Successfully completing the graduate certificate allows you to continue with the rest of the MBA course.
READ MORE ABOUT GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
To qualify without a degree, you need to have a significant professional management background. The number of years of work history required is generally around 4 to 7 years full-time (or equivalent), with 5 years the most common stipulation. Generally, multiple years would need to be in supervisory and management roles.
FAQs
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree carries weight and value in Australia. A substantial percentage of Australia's CEOs have MBAs, including Ron Delia (Amcor), Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz (Mirvac), Scott Charlton (Transurban), Andy Penn (Telstra), Brad Banducci (Woolworths) and Peter Coleman (Woodside).
An MBA delivers genuine management and leadership training. When there are a group of applicants for senior roles, MBA graduates have an advantage. The difference between winning crucial job and promotion opportunities and just missing out can translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra lifetime earnings.
The ideal MBA candidate has management and leadership potential. They should also have a sufficient professional background to capitalise on the qualification. Having an MBA is essentially worthless if you lack the professional skills and qualifications to lead in your particular niche.
On the cost side, remember that online learning lowers tuition fees and allows you to study as a working professional. There's no travel or time off work if you want.
Yes, absolutely. An online Master of Business Administration is valid in Australia.
In terms of accreditation, an online degree is no different from an on-campus degree. Australian universities are self-accrediting. Every degree issued by an Australian university is fully accredited and internationally recognised.
There's also no difference between on-campus and MBA's online in terms of the award. You receive the same testamur (certificate) irrespective of the study mode.
Employers in Australia don't appear to care how you earned your degree, especially as the majority of MBA students now study online. If you're ever asked in an interview about how you got your degree, we suggest you own the fact that you did it online. Don't hesitate to express pride in your achievement.
The average cost of online MBA programs in Australia is $47k. Students are assumed to complete a 12-subject program. Data for the cost estimates come from a sample of seven MBA online degrees.
| University | $ per subject* | |
|---|---|---|
| University of New England | $2,893 (2023) | More info |
| Southern Cross University | $2,990 (2023) | More info |
| James Cook University | $3,520 | More info |
| Torrens University Australia | $3,660 | More info |
| UTS Online | $4,218 | More info |
| RMIT University | $4,440 | More info |
| University of Adelaide | $4,746 | More info |
* Indicative program tuition fees for students enrolling in 2022 unless otherwise noted.
The median salary of Business and Management postgraduate coursework students after graduation was estimated at $110,000 for the 2021 cohort. This was second highest out of 21 study areas, only behind dentistry, and compared to an Australian mean for all study areas of $89,700. (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey).
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