La Trobe University has been recognised with its best result in the QS Sustainability Rankings, scoring a place in the global top 10 for the Impact of Education indicator and ranking 145th in the world overall for 2025.
La Trobe’s global rank is an improvement of 21 places from 2024, placing the University 19th in Australia – up three places from the previous year.
The QS rankings build on La Trobe’s success in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, where it positioned itself as a global leader in research, teaching and community engagement aligned to key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
La Trobe was 1st in Australia and 5th globally for its focus on food security, its commitment to tackling food waster on campus and in addressing hunger among students and community (SDG).
The University also ranked 10th globally for Gender Equality (SDG5) and 12th globally for its work on Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3).
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the positive result in the latest QS rankings reflected the University’s strong commitment to sustainability, not just on its campuses, but through its vision for students and alumni to make a real impact on the world.
“The impressive top 10 result for Impact of Education speaks volumes about the quality of our education and how our graduates are making real and positive impacts on sustainability by applying their learning to their careers,” Professor Farrell said.
“Our fantastic results in Equality and Health and Wellbeing, as well as Environmental Sustainability, also show the focus we place on sustainability across key initiatives such as our Health Innovation Strategy, designed to address health workforce shortages and our ambitious goal to be Net Zero by 2029, which we are well on the way to achieving.
“Congratulations to the entire La Trobe community for creating and nurturing a culture of sustainability for which we have been recognised as a world leader.”
The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability evaluates universities on how they are demonstrating a commitment to a more sustainable existence, including the impact of alumni in science and technology to solve climate issues, and the impact of research across the UN’s sustainable development goals.
It ranks the social and environmental impact of universities, as well as the governance of operational sustainability challenges, with sub-categories in each area.
La Trobe ranked 84th in the overall Social Impact category.
Other significant results include:
- 8th in the world for Impact of Education – up from 100th in 2024
- 54th in the world for Equality – up from 114th in 2024
- 91st in the world for Health and Wellbeing
- Environmental Education improved significantly with a rise of 588 places
The QS Sustainability Rankings started in 2023. This year 1751 global universities across 107 locations participated.
Only 460 universities (26 per cent) experienced an increase in overall rank positions, including La Trobe.
Media inquiries: Charisse Ede, M: 0404 030 698, E: media@latrobe.edu.au
