Australia has a long history of distance education. Universities such as the University of New England, Charles Sturt University and the University of Southern Queensland taught business students by post long before the internet. Today almost every university with a business school offers some form of online MBA, from fully self-paced programs to cohort-based courses with weekly live classes.
That choice is a real benefit, especially if you live outside a capital city, work irregular hours or have a family. It also makes it harder to separate genuinely good programs from those built mainly for volume.
How online MBAs work
Online programs vary, but most share some common features.
Multiple intakes. Many online MBAs let you start several times a year, rather than only in the first semester.
Shorter teaching periods. Some programs use six to eight week terms in which you take one unit at a time. Others follow the normal university semester.
Learning platform. Readings, videos, quizzes, discussion boards and assessments are delivered through a learning management system.
Live sessions. Many units include scheduled webinars with academics or facilitators. These may be recorded, but attending live is usually more valuable.
Group work. Expect group assignments with classmates in different places and time zones, run over video calls and shared documents.
Optional or compulsory intensives. Some online programs include on-campus residentials or study tours. Check whether they are required and what they cost.
Who an online MBA suits
An online MBA suits you if you are self-motivated, want to keep working full-time and need flexibility over where and when you study. It also suits people outside major cities who would otherwise face long commutes.
It suits you less if you learn best face to face, want an intensive career change with on-campus recruiting, or value a close-knit cohort above flexibility. Those students may be better served by a full-time or part-time on-campus program.
Judging quality
Who teaches?
Ask who designs the units and who teaches them. In some programs, academics design content and a team of tutors or facilitators run the classes. That is not bad in itself, but ask about their qualifications and industry experience, and how many students each one supports.
How big are the classes?
Ask about the number of students in each online class or tutorial group. Smaller groups usually mean better discussion and more feedback.
Is it the same degree?
Check whether the online program shares its curriculum, entry requirements and award with the on-campus MBA. If it does, you can be confident it is held to the same academic standard.
Accreditation and reputation
Look at the business school's accreditations, such as AACSB or EQUIS, and whether they cover the online program. Check the provider on the TEQSA register.
Student feedback
QILT publishes survey data on student experience and graduate outcomes for postgraduate coursework students. It is not specific to online MBAs, but it gives a sense of teaching quality and student support at the university.
Cost
Online MBAs are not always cheaper than on-campus programs, but you save on travel and can keep working. Compare the total course cost, check if residentials are extra, and ask about fee increases while you study. Eligible domestic students can usually defer fees with FEE-HELP. See MBA fees and funding.
Making online study work
- Block out time. Treat study like a fixed meeting. Many students set aside the same evenings and part of the weekend each week.
- Talk to your family and employer. Explain the workload and agree on support before you start.
- Join the live sessions. They build relationships with classmates and teachers that a recording cannot.
- Use the support. Online students have access to library, academic skills and careers services. Use them early.
- Start with one unit. If you are unsure, take a single unit or a Graduate Certificate first.
Questions to ask before you enrol
- Is this the same degree as the on-campus MBA?
- Who teaches the units, and how many students are in each class?
- Are there live sessions, and at what times?
- Are there compulsory residentials, and what do they cost?
- What is the total course fee, and how much will it rise?
- What careers and alumni support is available to online students?
- What is the maximum time allowed to complete?
Format finder
Which MBA format suits you?
Answer all four questions to see your best-fit formats.
Frequently asked questions
Is an online MBA the same degree as the on-campus version?
At most Australian universities the award is the same Master of Business Administration, and the testamur does not say online. Check with the school, because some online programs have a different name or structure.
Can international students study an online MBA from overseas?
Often, yes, as long as they study from outside Australia. An online program studied offshore does not lead to a Student visa. Check the school's rules for offshore students.
Can I get FEE-HELP for an online MBA?
If you are an eligible domestic student and the course and provider are approved for FEE-HELP, study mode does not usually matter. Confirm with the provider.
How many hours a week does an online MBA take?
Ask each school for its expected hours per unit. Online programs with short, intensive teaching periods can feel busier per week than a traditional semester.
Are there live classes?
Many programs combine self-paced material with scheduled live webinars. Check the times, especially if you work shifts or live in a different time zone.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- National Register of higher education providers — TEQSA
- FEE-HELP — Study Assist, Australian Government
- QILT – Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching — Australian Government
- Australian Qualifications Framework — AQF
