Impactful alumni that you might recognise
University of Melbourne alumni are sought out by employers internationally as they are renowned for their talent and dedication. The same is true for famous alumni that have gone on to become successful public figures and celebrities across industries – from film and television to politics and medicine. Learn more about these distinguished alumni who share characteristics of perseverance, excellence and resilience with their broader alumni community.
Arts and entertainment
Cate Blanchett
Bachelor of Business Administration
Blanchett is an acclaimed actress known for roles in Elizabeth, Blue Jasmine, The Lord of the Rings and more. Blanchett has won four Golden Awards, two Academy Awards and many more accolades for her versatile work across independent films, blockbusters and stage performances.
Pallavi Sharda
Bachelor of Arts 2010 Bachelor of Laws 2010 Diploma in Modern Languages 2011
Pallavi Sharda is a global actress, writer and classical Indian dancer, known for starring in Wedding Season (Netflix), The Twelve, The One and Lion. An advocate and speaker for multicultural representation, at 28, Sharda was appointed to the Board of Screen Australia as its youngest Director.
Ronny Chieng
Bachelor of Commerce 2009 Bachelor of Laws 2009
Chieng is a Malaysian-Australian stand-up comedian and actor who gained international recognition for his sharp wit and commentary on social and cultural issues. Chieng joined the cast of The Daily Show in 2015 and has appeared in films such as Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Politics and media
Julia Gillard
Bachelor of Laws 1986 Bachelor of Arts 1989
Gillard made history by becoming Australia's first female Prime Minister. During her tenure from 2010 to 2013, she demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to progressive policies. Gillard's leadership was marked by her resilience, intellect, and unwavering determination.
Harold Holt
Bachelor of Laws 1930
Holt was Prime Minister of Australia – leading the Liberal Party of Australia from 26 January 1966 to 19 December 1967. His term was famously cut short due to his unexpected death. Holt was known as one of the most hard-working Australian Cabinet ministers, spending 32 years as a parliamentarian.
Julian Assange
Bachelor of Science 2006
Assange is a computer programmer who founded the controversial media organisation WikiLeaks. After releasing thousands of classified documents from various government and corporate entities, he spent nearly seven years in London’s Ecuadoran embassy and five years in British prison.
Business and entrepreneurship
Emma Welsh and Tom Griffith
Bachelor of Agricultural Science 1988 (Welsh)
Bachelor of Commerce 1986 (Griffith)
Welsh and Griffith are co-founders of Emma & Tom’s, a B Corp certified wellness brand offering nutritious drinks and snacks. They combined their strategy and finance expertise to build a global business focused on health, sustainability, and social impact—including initiatives like The Unite Project to address youth homelessness.
James P Gorman
Bachelor of Arts 1981
Bachelor of Laws 1981
Gorman is an Australian-American businessman. He is Chairman Emeritus of Morgan Stanley – and previously had executive roles within the firm since 2007. Prior to this, Gorman worked at various law and financial institutions. He is also Chairman of The Walt Disney Company.
Andrew Bassat
Bachelor of Science 1988
Master of Business Administration 1995
Bassat is a co-founder of the job search platform SEEK which was established in 1997 and has since become the most used job seeking portal in Australia. He is also president of the St Kilda Football Club since 2018. Bassat was formerly a solicitor and management consultant.
Science and medicine
Professor Peter Doherty
Doctor of Laws 2012
Professor Doherty is an esteemed immunologist. He shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1996 with Swiss colleague Rolf Zinkernagel for their discovery of how the immune system recognises virus-infected cells. He was also Australian of the Year in 1997.
Elizabeth Blackburn
Bachelor of Science (Honours) 1970
Master of Science 1972
Blackburn is a lauded biologist who received a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009 for her discovery revealing the genetic composition and function of telomeres in DNA – and for her contribution to the discovery of an enzyme called telomerase.
Professor Ian Frazer
Doctor of Medicine 1988
Professor Frazer is a clinical immunologist. He was recognised as Australian of the Year in 2006 for his role as co-inventor of the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer in women. He also heads a biotechnology company that develops vaccine technologies.
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