There are 43 universities in Australia: 40 public universities, two international universities, and one private university. The Commonwealth Higher Education Support Act 2003 sets out three groups of Australian higher education providers: universities, other self-accrediting higher education institutions, and state and territory accredited higher education institutions.
Like universities, these institutions have the authority to accredit their own qualifications. However, they cannot use the title "University".
Like universities, these institutions offer post graduate credentials at the Master's and/or Doctoral level. Unlike universities, however, each qualification offered by these institutions must first be approved by the relevant state or territory authority. The accreditation of these institutions may be verified on the National Register of Higher Education Providers.