The invention provides a ternary positive electrode material and a preparation method and application thereof. The ternary positive electrode material comprises a coating layer arranged on the surface, and the coating layer comprises a tungsten-containing compound and a co-coating layer of at least one effective element compound; the effective elements comprise any one or a combination of at least two of B, Mg, Al, Si, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Sn, Sb, Ba, Hf, Ta, Re or Bi. The ternary positive electrode material is coated by taking the tungsten-containing compound and the at least one effective element compound as the coating source, so that the side reaction between the ternary positive electrode material and electrolyte is reduced, the diffusion of lithium ions is promoted, the power performance and the cycle performance of the material are improved, and the gas production problem is effectively improved; according to the preparation method, the surface of the ternary positive electrode material is coated through one-time sintering treatment, the preparation method is simple, and industrial production is facilitated.