Canada vs. Australia: Which nation is your best option for worldwide college students searching for immigration?…
In case you’re trying to examine abroad with the intention of immigrating after your research, you is perhaps contemplating Canada and Australia as potential locations.
Over the course of 2024, each Canada and Australia have introduced sweeping modifications to their immigration programs.
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Even after these modifications, Canada and Australia have lots to supply these on the lookout for high quality schooling, numerous and welcoming communities, and post-graduation pathways to everlasting residency.
Listed below are essentially the most vital variations the CIC information crew has recognized:
Canada | Australia | |
PR pathways | You’ll be able to acquire everlasting standing in Canada via a variety of occupations, though occupations eligible for category-based attracts have a bonus. | Getting everlasting residence via the Expert Unbiased Visa (subclass 189) is very dependent in your occupation being beneath its Expert Occupation Checklist (SOL). |
Nationwide work experience-based PR pathway(s) | Canadian Expertise Class (CEC), a program beneath Specific Entry for expert employees with Canadian Expertise. | No equal program. |
Work hours on a examine allow | College students can work limitless hours on campus. | Restrict on work hours applies equally to on-campus and off-campus work. |
Examine program restrictions for post-graduation work eligibility | For school graduates and different vocational program graduates, post-graduate work eligibility is restricted to graduates of packages aligned with in-demand occupations. | No program restrictions. |
Along with the most important variations above, we’ve additionally summarized detailed data on quite a lot of different components, a lot of that are related, however a few of which have vital variations:
Canada | Australia | |
Variety of Universities Named in QS World College Rankings 2025 Prime 100 Rating | four | 9 |
Tuition value (approximate) | 29,000 CAD to 81,000 CAD | 26,500 AUD to 113,000 AUD (24,509 CAD to 104,511 CAD) |
Examine allow value | 150 CAD | 1,600 AUD (1,465 CAD) |
Examine allow processing time | Varies, roughly Three months | Roughly 61 days (at time of publishing) |
Hours worldwide college students can work whereas finding out | 24h/week off campus throughout courses
Limitless on campus throughout courses Limitless throughout breaks |
48h each 2 weeks throughout courses
Limitless throughout breaks No distinction between on-campus and off-campus |
Most size of post-graduate work standing | PGWP: as much as three years | Momentary Graduate Visa – 2-Three years. |
Well-liked PR Pathways for worldwide college students | Canadian Expertise Class
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
Expert Unbiased Visa
Expert Work Regional Visa |
Eligible occupations for everlasting standing (for pathways listed above) | Specific Entry packages: all expert occupations.
PNP: varies. Typically, all expert occupations, plus some lower-skilled occupations. |
Expert Unbiased Visa: solely these on the expert occupation listing.
Expert Work Regional Visa: solely these on the expert occupation listing. |
Globally ranked academic establishments
Each Canada and Australia are residence to world-renowned academic establishments.
The QS World College Rankings for 2025 lists the next 4 Canadian establishments throughout the high 100 spots:
- College of Toronto – 25th place.
- McGill College – 29th place.
- College of British Columbia – 38th place.
- College of Alberta – 96th place.
In the meantime, many Australian establishments additionally characteristic on the listing:
- The College of Melbourne – 13th place.
- The College of Sydney – 18th place.
- The College of New South Wales – 19th place.
- Australian Nationwide College – 30th place.
- Monash College – 37th place.
- The College of Queensland – 40th place.
- The College of Western Australia – 77th place.
- The College of Adelaide – 82nd place.
- College of Know-how Sydney – 88th place.
Undergraduate tuition charges
Total, worldwide college students can anticipate to pay related tuition charges in Canada and Australia.
That stated, the price of tuition can differ vastly, relying on this system, faculty, and examine location.
In line with Statistics Canada, worldwide undergraduate college students in Canada will pay wherever between 29,000 CAD to 81,000 CAD yearly in 2024/2025.
In Australia, in keeping with newest stories, high universities are set to extend tuition charges in 2025, charging between 26,500 AUD and 113,000 AUD (24,509 CAD to 104,511 CAD) anually.
Ease of getting a examine allow
Examine allow necessities between Canada and Australia are broadly related. The primary variations are:
- Canada has a decrease value for the examine allow software, and decrease monetary help necessities.
- Australia has decrease language testing necessities.
- Canada requires a provincial attestation letter (PAL).
- Australia has a real scholar requirement and in addition requires an Abroad Pupil Well being Cowl.
See the desk beneath for extra particulars:
Documentation required | Canada | Australia |
Proof of acceptance | From a delegated studying establishment (DLI) | From an establishment registered on the Commonwealth Register of Establishments and Programs for Abroad College students (CRICOS) |
Proof of id | Required | Required |
Monetary help requirement | 20,635 CAD | 29,710 AUD (27,328 CAD) |
Proof of economic help | Financial institution statements for the previous four months | Financial institution statements |
English language checks | Usually, an IELTS rating of 6-6.5 for undergraduate packages | IELTS rating 5.5 to six.zero (or equal) |
Processing time | Varies primarily based on nation the applicant is making use of from. Often as much as three months | About 61 days, at time of publishing |
Provincial attestation letter | Sure | No |
Real scholar requirement | No | Sure |
Medical health insurance | Many provinces provide eligible college students entry to provincial medical insurance. These that don’t require college students to get non-public insurance coverage. Some universities provide plans to assist. | College students want Abroad Pupil Well being Cowl (OSHC) |
Canada and Australia have related necessities and processes for issuing examine permits.
Uncover your choices to check in Canada
Documentation for examine permits
Proof of id
This could be a legitimate passport.
Proof of acceptance
For Canada, this should come from a delegated studying establishment (DLI). It is a faculty accredited by a provincial or territorial authorities to host worldwide college students.
For Australia, this should come from a CRICOS-registered establishment. That is the official register of all Australian schooling suppliers which can be permitted to supply programs to college students finding out in Australia on scholar visas.
Proof of economic help:
This refers to funds exterior tuition, to show that a world scholar can help themselves whereas finding out.
In Canada, the amount of cash an applicant (exterior of Quebec) must show they possess is 20,635 CAD.
In Australia, worldwide scholar visa candidates should present proof of at the least 29,710 AUD (27,328 CAD).
English language checks:
In Canada, college students should show language proficiency whereas making use of for DLI (earlier than the examine allow course of). Whereas this differs in keeping with the DLI, most establishments require an IELTS band rating of 6-6.5 for undergraduate packages and 6.5-7 for postgraduate packages.
In March 2024, Australia elevated the minimal check rating for a scholar visa from Worldwide English Language Testing System (IELTS) rating 5.5 to six.zero (or equal).
Along with these paperwork, every nation has its personal listing of documentation that’s required.
Canada
Provincial attestation letter (PAL): In January 2024, IRCC additionally introduced the requirement of PALs. College students are advisable to correspond instantly with their academic establishment for this.
Different documentation that will even be wanted are
- a letter of clarification;
- a medical examination;
- A custodian declaration (minors solely); and
- Different paperwork.
Australia
Real scholar requirement: Launched in March 2024, candidates will probably be requested an inventory of questions within the on-line scholar visa software type. The aim of that is to find out their intentions of finding out in Australia are real.
Abroad Pupil Well being Cowl (OSHC): It is a non-public medical insurance for abroad college students and their dependents.
In the meantime, Australia not too long ago doubled the price of its examine allow as of July 1, elevating it to 1,600 AUD (1,465 CAD).
As per the time of publishing, the median processing time for a examine visa in Australia is 61 days.
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New bulletins regarding worldwide scholar intakes
Canada and Australia each have caps on worldwide scholar admissions.
In August 2024, The Australian Authorities introduced a Nationwide Planning Degree (NPL) to restrict the expansion of worldwide scholar packages beginning January 1, 2025. This brings the full new worldwide scholar commencements for the calendar yr (the precise variety of college students beginning a course) to 270,000 – all the way down to 2023 ranges.
In the meantime, Canada’s Immigration Ranges Plan set a goal for worldwide scholar arrivals at 305,900 for 2025. This quantity stays constant for worldwide scholar arrivals in 2026 and 2027.
These changes current a possible benefit for worldwide college students. Smaller cohorts also can result in extra personalised educational experiences and enhance entry to campus housing. It might additionally cut back competitors amongst graduates within the native job markets.
Working whereas finding out
In Canada, worldwide college students can presently work as much as 24 hours per week off campus whereas courses are in session.
There’s no restrict to the variety of hours college students can work on-campus.
Throughout scheduled breaks, corresponding to summer season or winter holidays, there’s no restrict on the variety of off-campus hours college students can work.
In Australia, college students can work as much as 48 hours each two weeks throughout time period time and limitless hours throughout examine breaks. PhD and grasp’s college students enrolled in research-based packages haven’t any restrict on hours they’ll work.
There’s no distinction between on-campus and off-campus work hours in Australia.
Publish commencement work authorization
Each Canada and Australia present worldwide scholar graduates with the alternatives to acquire authorized standing to work in every nation after graduating.
However there are vital variations between choices for post-graduate work standing in Canada versus Australia:
- Australia requires candidates to be aged 35 or youthful (with some exceptions); Canada has no age restrictions.
- For graduates of faculty packages or vocational packages, Canada restricts eligibility to packages aligned with in-demand occupations; Australia has no such restriction.
For extra particulars, see the next desk:
Canada | Australia | |
Publish Commencement work choices | Publish Commencement Work Allow (PGWP) | Publish-Larger Schooling Work Stream |
Period of labor standing after commencement | Depends upon period of diploma, as much as Three years | Often 2-Three years, relying on qualification |
Eligibility | – Full a full-time program at an eligible Canadian designated studying establishment (DLI) that’s at the least eight months lengthy.
– Graduate from both 1) a tutorial bachelor’s, grasp’s, or PhD program; or 2) a school program or college vocational program aligned with an in-demand occupation in Canada’s labour market – Full an English or French language check with CLB 7, for college graduates, or CLB 5, for school graduates. – Apply for PGWP inside 180 days of commencement – Preserve full-time scholar standing throughout each educational time period of their program, with some exceptions for approved leaves or part-time standing of their closing time period. |
– Be 35 years or youthful while you apply. *Exceptions apply
– Be in Australia when making use of – Maintain an eligible visa – Have held a scholar visa within the final 6 months – Have a current qualification in a CRICOS-registered course – Present proof of sufficient medical insurance, police test, and English proficiency necessities |
Below new tips introduced in September 2024, worldwide graduates of vocational packages who apply for Publish Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) in Canada should meet further area of examine necessities. This area of examine restriction doesn’t apply to school bachelor’s, grasp’s, or PhD graduates.
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PR pathways for worldwide college students
Whereas each nations provide PR pathways, there are some key variations.
Australia requires candidates to be aged 45 or youthful (with some exceptions) for the Expert Unbiased Visa; Canada has no age restrictions.
Canada vastly prioritizes these with Canadian work expertise and levels. Canadian Expertise Class (CEC) is a well-liked federal program for expert employees with Canadian work expertise. Whereas Australia does award factors for Australian levels and expertise, it doesn’t have an equal program to CEC.
Australia’s PR pathways are closely primarily based on its expert occupation listing (SOL) which focuses on sure occupations (for instance, these in STEM). These in different occupations might discover PR pathways restricted, except they’re nominated by a state or territory, or have a look at family-joining choices.
In distinction, candidates of all expert occupations are eligible for Canada’s Specific Entry system–that is, candidates with occupations in Nationwide Occupation Classification (NOC) TEERs zero, 1, 2, and three. Decrease expert occupations (NOC TEER four or 5) should not eligible for Specific Entry, however could also be eligible for Provincial Nominee Applications.
In Canada
Specific Entry is a web-based system for managing functions for expert employee immigration to Canada. Well-liked class for worldwide college students:
Canadian Expertise Class (CEC)
Candidates will need to have at the least 1 yr of expert work expertise in Canada (full-time or equal part-time) throughout the final Three years.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
By means of the PNP, Canadian provinces and territories nominate people for PR primarily based on regional wants. Candidates can apply via the PNP if they’ve a job provide or expertise that match the province’s necessities. Profitable candidates obtain a provincial nomination, boosting their possibilities within the Specific Entry system or via a direct PNP pathway.
In Australia
The Expert Unbiased Visa (subclass 189) is a points-based visa for expert employees, assessed on components like age, schooling, work expertise, and English proficiency.
Candidates will need to have an occupation on the expert occupation listing and have their assessed by an Australian authority earlier than submitting an expression of curiosity (EOI) through SkillSelect. Additional factors are awarded for Australian levels and native work expertise, providing a bonus to worldwide graduates.
The Expert Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) is a points-based visa for expert employees who wish to dwell and work in regional Australia. Candidates have to be nominated by a state/territory authorities or sponsored by an eligible relative and have an occupation on the related expert occupation listing.
Factors are awarded primarily based on age, schooling, work expertise, and English proficiency, with further factors for regional nomination or sponsorship. This visa is legitimate for 5 years and gives a pathway to everlasting residency after assembly sure standards via the Everlasting Residence (Expert Regional) Visa.
Price of residing
Housing
To check, we’ve checked out median rental costs for a two-bedroom condo throughout high cities for worldwide college students in each nations. Cities had been chosen as per their place in QS Finest Pupil Cities 2025.
Metropolis | Median lease for a two bed room condo |
Montreal, Canada | 1,890 CAD |
Toronto, Canada | 2,500 CAD |
Vancouver, Canada | 2,829 CAD |
Melbourne, Australia | 2,200 AUD (2,zero16 CAD) |
Sydney, Australia | 2,880 AUD (2,639 CAD) |
Canberra, Australia | 2,240 AUD (2,052 CAD) |
Supply: Zumper, Mozo
Meals
In line with crowdsourced information from Numbeo, groceries costs in Canada are 6.9% decrease than in Australia.
In Canada, the month-to-month worth of groceries is roughly $248- $330, though it might probably go greater relying on preferences, dietary necessities and extra.
In Australia, the month-to-month worth of groceries comes all the way down to roughly 430 AUD ($393).
Transportation
Tickets for public transit are cheaper in main Canadian cities than they’re in main Australian cities:
Metropolis | Price of a ticket (public transport) |
Montreal | Three.75 CAD |
Toronto | Three.75 CAD |
Vancouver | Three.20 CAD |
Melbourne | 5.30 A$ (four.83 CAD) |
Sydney | 5.00 A$ (four.56 CAD) |
Canberra | 5.00 A$ (four.56 CAD) |
Supply: Numbeo
Schedule a Free Work Allow Session with the Cohen Immigration Regulation Agency
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