Our alumni have inspired, led, entertained, challenged and improved the world around them.
You may recognise many of our famous names such as lawmaker Michael Kirby, writer Clive James, opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland and activist Charles Perkins.
But for every famous alum, you'll find thousands of people who have led change and made a difference in their own field.
For 175 years, our alumni have served the public and pioneered new discoveries for the benefit of all.
In fact, no less than eight Australian prime ministers graduated from the University of Sydney between 1901 and the present day.
Leaders across all disciplines have also started their journey of enquiry and research here, opening doors for those who have come after them.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg (BE (Aerospace)(Hons) '08, BSc (Adv) '08) is exploring new frontiers in space.
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LinkTony Abbott AC was the 28th Prime Minister of Australia.
Anthony Albanese is the 31st Prime Minister of Australia.
Sir Edmund Barton served as the first Prime Minister of Australia.
Professor Marie Bashir is one of Australia's most prominent academics and public figures, as well as the first female Governor of NSW and the former Chancellor of the University of Sydney.
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC is the 39th Governor of New South Wales, and was sworn-in on 2 May 2019.
The first person to train as an astronaut under the Australian flag, Katherine Bennell-Pegg is exploring new frontiers in space and paving the way for future Australian scientists and engineers. We awarded her the Alumni Award for International Achievement in 2024.
Vere Gordon Childe was an Australian-born archaeologist also known for his influence on the Australian labour movement.
H. V. Evatt was the third president of the United Nations General Assembly and helped draft the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
Professor Tony Haymet is Australia's Chief Scientist, with many years of teaching and research experience across Australia and the United States.
John Howard OM AC was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia.
Explorer Sir Douglas Mawson joined Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1907–09 British expedition to Antarctica, where he led the first party to reach the South Magnetic Pole.
Sir William McMahon was the 20th Prime Minister of Australia.
Professor Tanya Monro AC is Australia's Chief Defence Scientist. Over the course of her career she has worked to break down barriers for women in science, foster interdisciplinary research, and work towards a more inclusive and innovative research environment.
The longest serving Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore is the first popularly elected woman to lead the City of Sydney. We awarded her the Alumni Award for Community Achievement in 2010.
Sir Earle Page was the 11th Prime Minister of Australia.
Noel Pearson is an Indigenous Australian land rights activist and lawyer. He is Chair of the Cape York Group (CYG), an organisation promoting the economic and social development of Cape York, in North Queensland.
Dr Paul Scully-Power AM is an oceanographer and remote sensing expert, and the first Australian-born person to journey into space.
Lucy Hughes Turnbull AO is an urbanist, businesswoman and philanthropist. She chaired the Committee for Sydney from 2012 to 2015 and has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the new Greater Sydney Commission.
Malcolm Turnbull was the 29th Prime Minister of Australia.
Gough Whitlam AC was the 21st Prime Minister of Australia.
The committed research and groundbreaking discoveries led by our alumni has changed lives across the world, paved the way for future research, and continues to tackle some of the most complex challenges of our times.
From unprecedented technological advancements to changing the standards of healthcare, their work has shaped a better future.
Dr Victor Chang was one of Australia's most gifted heart surgeons, a pioneer of modern heart transplant surgery and a humanitarian.
Professor Graeme Clark invented the multiple-channel cochlear impact, restoring hearing for over a million people globally.
Dr Iza Frances Josephine Coghlan was one of the first female medicine graduates in NSW, later becoming a co-founder of the NSW Medical Women’s Society, advocating for greater recognition and opportunities for women in the field.
Dr Chris Douglas founded histopathology provider Histopath. His legacy includes operational innovations with real-world impact, especially during COVID, and building a cutting-edge diagnostic infrastructure for precision medicine.
Dr Catherine Hamlin AC was a world-renowned gynaecologist and women’s health advocate who devoted her life to helping ostracised Ethiopian women.
Co-founder and CEO of Orlar, a Vietnam-based women-led company, Dr Lyndal Hugo's patented vertical farming technology is revolutionising sustainable food production and reducing chemical residues in global supply chains.
As the Regional Health Advisor at the Finnish Red Cross, Erin Paige Law leads strategic health programming across Africa. She has over 12 years of experience in the humanitarian and development space.
2024 Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO's enduring partnership has saved thousands of lives from melanoma, known as Australia's national cancer. We awarded Richard the Alumni Award for International Achievement in 2020.
John O'Sullivan, David Skellern and their team are credited for the invention of Wi-Fi. We awarded David the Alumni Award for Professional Achievement in 2022.
Ruby Payne-Scott started her studies at the University when she was just 16 years old, going on to become a trailblazer in physics and radio astronomy during World War II.
Dr Zachary Tan co-leads Aegis Ventures, working to use AI to address issues of quality, equity and cost in healthcare.
2024 Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO's enduring partnership has saved thousands of lives from melanoma
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LinkOur alumni have shaped the places we live in, working on some of our world's most iconic landmarks.
We've also supported alumni to shape the world through their contributions to culture and society, producing beloved films, theatre companies and artworks to inspire creativity.
More than 150 Olympians and Paralympians who studied with us have gone on to thrill sports fans in stadiums around the world. At the Paris 2024 games, 14 alumni proudly represented Australia and brought home one gold and three silver medals.
Australia's first internationally recognised architect, John Andrews designed the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada.
Angie Ballard has built an outstanding career in wheelchair racing, representing Australia across seven Paralympic Games, and is a strong spokesperson for disability inclusion in sport. We awarded Angie the Nigel C Barker Medal for Sporting Achievement in 2014.
John Bell formed the Bell Shakespeare Company in 1991, a major theatrical production house which has entertained theatre-goers for decades. We awarded John the Alumni Award for Achievement in Community Service in 2001.
Bruce Beresford has a career in film spanning 50 years and more than 30 feature films, including 1989 Oscar-winning Driving Miss Daisy.
Sir John Bradfield oversaw the design and construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge while working at the NSW Department of Public Works.
Geraldine Brooks AO is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist.
Jane Campion is an Academy Award winning film director and screenwriter known for films such as The Piano and The Power of the Dog.
Soprano, composer and educator Professor Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO FAHA is a driving force in classical music and a champion of First Nations musicians.
Julie Fragar won the 2025 Archibald Prize for her portrait of friend and fellow artist Justene Williams, 'Flagship Mother Multiverse'.
Tom Gleeson is a comedian and television host of shows including Hard Quiz and Taskmaster Australia.
Kate Grenville AO is a well known Australian novellist. Her work includes international bestseller The Secret River.
Louise Herron AM has been CEO of the Sydney Opera House since 2012, after careers as a lawyer and corporate adviser. We awarded Louise the Alumni Award for Professional Achievement in 2024.
Clive James AO was a writer with a long, successful and varied career beginning in literary criticism and television criticism, before moving into poetry, satire, memoir, television and radio presenting and more.
Mackenzie Little is an Olympic javelin thrower and Junior Medical Officer at the Northern Sydney Local Health District, who trained for the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside the demands of her medical degree. We awarded Mackenzie the Nigel C Barker Medal for Sporting Achievement in 2024.
Fiona Lowry is a Sydney-based artist and Archibald Prize winner.
Oliver Leimbach is the lead singer of Australian pop band Lime Cordiale.
Ray Martin AM is a well known Australian journalist. His 60+ year media career has included roles as North America correspondent for ABC, a reporter on 60 Minutes, and presenter of A Current Affair.
Ben Quilty is a world renown artist, social commentator, and Archibald Prize winner. We awarded Ben the Alumni Award for Cultural Contribution 2016.
Dame Joan Sutherland was an Australian operatic soprano who was considered the leading coloratura of the 20th century.
Judith Wright was a poet, conservationist and Aboriginal land rights campaigner.
Simone Young AM is a celebrated conductor and is currently Chief Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
The spirit of philanthropy and humanity has inspired countless alumni to work for life-changing organisations, passionately fight for a cause, or lobby for change.
They have fought discrimination, defended freedom of speech, and broken down barriers.
Noor Azizah is the Co-Executive Director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network which is a women-led, Rohingya-led and refugee-led organisation working on Rohingya human rights issues, SGBV, education and translocal solidarity with a focus on women, peace and security.
Dr Richard Brennan AO is the Regional Emergency Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization (WHO), and has three decades of dedicated humanitarian service. We awarded Richard the Alumni Award for Service to Humanity in 2024.
Dr Annabelle Chauncy OAM is joint founder of the School for Life Foundation (SFLF), which focuses on delivering high quality education in rural Uganda. Her vision is creating a sustainable model for replicating across the developing world.
Kerry Chikarovski AM pushed for policies that strengthened women's rights, advanced gender equality, and introduced family-friendly workplace reforms as a former Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly.
Dr James Cockayne has spent two decades overseas promoting human rights and responsible business practices – from counter-terrorism work in Africa and the Middle East, to advising United Nations leaders in New York, Geneva and Tokyo. He is currently the Anti-slavery Commissioner for NSW.
Bill Ferris AC founded the Ferris Foundation in 1981, supporting arts, culture, medical research, and education in Australia.
The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG is an international jurist, educator and former judge, and a widely recognised and admired Australian for his decades of international human rights advocacy.
Jack Manning Bancroft founded the award-winning global network, Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), which has helped more than 25,000 students finish school and go to university. He's also a children's author and artist. We awarded Jack the Oustanding Achievement of Young Alumni Award in 2010.
Dr Charles Perkins AO was the first Aboriginal man to graduate from a university in Australia. A civil rights activist, he dedicated his life to achieving justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Justice Geoffrey Robertson AO is a human rights lawyer who has fought discrimination and defended the freedom of speech on an international stage.
Learning at this university meant learning how and why to reject ideas that were cruel or obsolete or discriminatory. We left here with the notion that there was no such thing as 'pure' scholarship: that scholarship could never be pure unless it pointed a way to benefit society.
Human rights lawyer
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