Studying modern languages has been part of Australian tertiary education from close to its beginning. This study, which uses an online content analysis approach, analyses current units of study in each Australian public university teaching modern languages. Set in the context of the origin and development of this field, together with contemporary debates regarding the value of studying the humanities in general, and modern languages more specifically, this research offers detailed analysis of what is currently being taught, and how public universities are framing the merit and utility of teaching modern languages. Our analysis reveals that the study of modern languages remains relatively vigorous, but there is a high degree of institutional isomorphism at play. The findings show that many universities offer very similar fields of study across the board, albeit with some surprising omissions of languages that are of strategic significance to Australia's national interests.