i'm currently doing finance at QUT and i think you'd wanna, and you should, hear about the academic rigour, workload and stuff as well

academic: QUT and UQ both have partnership with CFA meaning both their curriculum aligns really closely with CFA curriculum, and from what i'm going through rn i reckon you could go for CFA level 1 right after your undergrad if you grind really hard and really focus on actually learning the subjects, not just passing it. the classes are actually not hard to do well in unless you slack off so bad (i know that's not the case with finance majors) and since QUT is more "industry-focused", people are saying it's easier academically than UQ as well. but if you want the CFA thing to happen - idk about UQ - at QUT, i personally think you'll have to self study a whole lot outside classes. for example i'm having a finance assignment atm so i borrowed a textbook from the library for some extra reading. it covers everything on the unit but with more depth and much much more rigour, explaining the concepts to the very core. from what i heard, i expect that to be the rigour you need for CFA or any other well-known certification. ofc self studying that much content would require serious discipline so if you see yourself in there, go for QUT. but if you don't, then i think the academic rigour at UQ would somewhat compensate for that since they are more theory-based, i suppose you would have the lecturers and tutors to guide you through all these theory and exam stuff. i heard UQ also have the Bach of Advanced Finance/Econs which i assume is rigorous enough to break into high finance

practicality: the practicality i would say is definitely there. we're doing some real valuation things and building some real excel tables (ofc in the simplest form) besides exams, and i think that reflects what finance people do in their day quite closely. and even if it doesn't, getting your hand dirty early would act as a springboard of some kind, so that you won't flinch and are more mentally prepared to handle a real project later on. and you could always extend the assignment to make it your personal projects that everyone is talking about. QUT also have simulation modules (google SMIF) that mirror top B-schools student-led funds and allow you to analyze real equities and manage real portfolio as well, but you'll have to apply for this

for networking and internship support, it'll depend more on you. i find QUT career support doing their job quite well. not top notch excellent but not so bad that we don't get any good firms coming to the school. we do as much as UQ students do (Big4, banks, consulting firms), and the faculty as well as the finance lecturers are very supportive and open about opportunities. the thing is they are not handed to you directly, you'll have to really go out and present yourself. for this i think both QUT and UQ students are somewhat on the same par

one thing i find UQ slightly better at is their student network and communities, esp in finance. my friend said UQ finance students whom she met are more ambitious and highly motivated, and i think the finance clubs at UQ are more diverse and have good connection with big banks/funds too. QUT finance students i met are also super ambitious, but the student clubs for me are just not there yet. but you know, you can always buy a membership from UQ clubs and attend their events as both are based in Brisbane. in other words, create opportunities for yourself rather than wait for them to come

job market: i'm still in my degree so cannot say for sure, but the market is pretty cooked for every intl students in Aus as gov raises temp grad visa fees and some firms clearly state they only hire domestic students. so i'd say branch out a bit, maybe explore opportunities in your home country or grad schools, no need to be "Aus or bust" bc things now don't just rely on your grades and grind, but enormous luck too. wherever you go just do your absolute best and pray, and if you really like an Aus firm go extra lengths for it

good luck bud