It is often compared to the Russell Group of research universities in the United Kingdom.

[3] The Go8 receives 71 per cent of Australian Competitive Grant (Category 1) funding and had the largest proportion of research fields rated at 4 or 5 ('above' or 'well above' world standard) in the latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) exercise, with 99 per cent of Go8 research is world class or above.

[4] The Go8 Board, which consists of the vice-chancellors (who also serve as principals or presidents) of its eight member universities, meets five times a year.

The current Chair of the Board is Professor Brian Schmidt, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Australian National University, appointed in 2023.

Vicki Thomson is the Chief Executive of the Group of Eight, taking up the role in January 2015.