Given its long cinematic history, it's hardly surprising that Australia has produced a wealth of domestically and internationally recognised talent.
We've chosen 15 notable Australian actresses, including a range of talents from those in classic Australian films to contemporary stars.
Understandably, we haven't included them all, but if you have any suggestions for actresses we've missed, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Cate Blanchett
For many, Cate Blanchett is one of the finest actresses of her generation.
She's known for outstanding performances, two of which have won her Oscars: The Aviator (2004) and Blue Jasmine (2013).
She's also known for her roles in Elizabeth (1998), The Lord of the Rings, and Carol (2015).
An icon of Australian and global cinema, few would not consider Cate Blanchett one of the greatest ever.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman was born in Honolulu but raised in Sydney.
She's one of Australia's most famous and decorated actresses.
Her breakthrough role in Dead Calm (1989) led to a successful Hollywood career spanning decades, with acclaimed roles in movies like Moulin Rouge! (2001), The Hours (2002), and Big Little Lies (2017).
She's won many awards, including an Academy Award, BAFTA, and several Golden Globes.
She's easily one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation, not just among Australian actresses.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie's breakout role was in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), where she starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
Since then, she's featured in a range of fierce and versatile roles, including I, Tonya (2017), Birds of Prey (2020), and Barbie (2023), becoming a regular in Hollywood's biggest productions.
She's been nominated for several Academy Awards and is one of Australia's most recognised actresses.
Toni Collette
Toni Collette is most famous for her roles in films like The Sixth Sense (1999), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), and Hereditary (2018).
She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in The Sixth Sense.
Also, she received a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts is a British-born actress who moved to Australia with her family and started her career there.
She gained recognition for her role in Mulholland Drive (2001) and also starred in films like The Ring (2002), 21 Grams (2003), and The Impossible (2012).
She has been nominated for two Academy Awards and won a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne is an Australian actress known for her versatility.
She has starred in films such as Bridesmaids (2011), X-Men: First Class (2011), and Spy (2015).
Her performances have earned her nominations for various awards, including two Golden Globe nominations.
Mia Wasikowska
Mia Wasikowska was in films like Jane Eyre (2011), Stoker (2013), and Crimson Peak, though the first role that gained her international fame was Alice in Wonderland (2010).
Her performances have also earned her several nominations, often including nuanced performances in independent films.
Her preference for indie films has also made her one of the most respected actresses of her generation.
Elizabeth Debicki
Elizabeth Debicki was born in Paris, France, and grew up in Melbourne.
Her breakthrough role was in The Great Gatsby (2013), directed by one of Australia's best directors, and her performance in The Night Manager (2016) earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
She also appeared in films like Widows (2018) and Tenet (2020) and played Princess Diana in The Crown in 2022.
She's known for being able to play roles that portray both strength and vulnerability and is considered one of Australia's rising stars.
Yvonne Strahovski
Yvonne Strahovski is best known for playing Serena Joy in The Handmaid's Tale, for which she was nominated for several awards, including a Primetime Emmy.
She first rose to fame as a CIA agent in the television series Chuck (2007-2012), which combined action and wit.
She's also appeared in Dexter and several films that allowed her to play characters with intense emotional depth, making her one of Australia's top actresses, particularly in television.
Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson started acting in Australia in roles like Pizza and The Wedge. Her international fame came with Bridesmaids (2011) and recurring roles in the Pitch Perfect series of films.
She plays humorous and confident characters, making her a popular actress in contemporary comedy films and series.
Jacqueline McKenzie
Jacqueline McKenzie is an actress famous for powerful dramatic roles in film and television.
Her first big break came with her performance in Romper Stomper (1992) alongside Russell Crowe, highlighting her ability to tackle difficult and gritty roles.
She also appeared in Deep Blue Sea (1999) and the acclaimed Australian TV series The 4400 (2004-2007).
Rachael Taylor
Rachael Taylor has been in Australian and Hollywood productions, particularly action films, thrillers, and television dramas.
Her rise to international fame came in Transformers (2007) and was furthered by her role as Trish Walker in the Marvel series Jessica Jones (2015-2019).
She's a popular choice for strong female roles that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Essie Davis
Essie Davis is an actress known for her captivating performances in both film and television productions.
Her role in The Babadook (2014), one of the best Australian films ever, in which she portrayed a struggling mother in a horror setting, helped her gain international fame. This role also showcased her intense emotional range as an actress.
In Australia, she plays Phryne Fisher in the television series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, which has a cult following.
She blends subtlety with intensity and is a respected actress both in her native Australia and around the world.
Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto has delivered memorable performances in various productions, from blockbuster films to critically acclaimed dramas.
International audiences may recognise her as Éowyn in The Lord of the Rings series.
She's also appeared in horror films like Annabelle: Creation (2017) and television series like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Learn More about Australian Cinema
As you can see, there are plenty of incredible actresses from Australia. While we couldn't list them all here (or Australia's best actors), you can always let us know of any that should have been included in the comments.
The Superprof website has plenty of talented and experienced tutors. Search for what you'd like to learn about, and you can browse the tutors' profiles. Many tutors on the platform offer the first session for free, so why not try a few before choosing the right one for you? However, we recommend shortlisting some good potential candidates first. Consider making a list of requirements.
For those interested in acting or filmmaking, private tutoring is also available through the platform.
If you prefer a more interactive learning experience, in-person tutoring may be ideal for your needs. Group tutoring is an excellent option if you and others want to learn about Australian cinema together, allowing you to share the cost among participants.
Just like Australian cinema itself, there are learning options to suit every preference and interest.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
Any place for post of actress?
Thanks for your comment! We’re always looking to feature more talented Australian actresses in our article. If you have suggestions for specific actresses you’d like to see featured, please feel free to share them right here in the comments. We’d love to hear your ideas!