Canada VS Australia: Which Country to Choose for Study In 2025?
If you are planning to study abroad to immigrate after completion of your studies, you might be considering Canada or Australia as your potential destination. Based on educational quality, cultural diversity, and clearly defined immigration structures.
Over the year 2024, Canada and Australia have made some considerable changes to their immigration systems.
Even after all of these changes, Canada and Australia still have a lot to offer for international students looking for quality education, and diversified yet welcoming communities.
Here, in this article, we will be going to discuss the major differences between these two countries and which is suitable for you.
Major Differences Between Canada and Australia
Canada and Australia, both countries offer significant opportunities to students planning to study there. However, there are some major differences between both of these countries.
Excellence in Education
Both countries host top-ranked universities in the world. The QS World University Rankings 2025 show that four of Canada’s institutions are featured within the world’s top 100:
- University of Toronto at 25th place
- McGill University at 29th place
- University of British Columbia at 38th place
- University of Alberta at 96th place
Australia is ranked with nine institutions in the world’s top 100:
- The University of Melbourne at 13th place
- The University of Sydney at 18th place
- University of New South Wales – 19th
- Australian National University – 30th
- Monash University – 37th
This reflects the fact that more Australian universities are represented higher in the rankings as both nations offer a high-quality education.
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate
Tuition fees for international students are roughly similar in Canada and Australia, although they will vary based on program, faculty, and institution. Fees for Canada fall in the range of 29,000 to 81,000 CAD. For Australia, it falls within about 26,500 AUD to 113,000 AUD, or 24,509 CAD to 104,511 CAD.
A significant difference lies in the study permit cost. The cost of a study permit in Canada is 150 CAD, whereas Australia has increased its student visa fee from 710 AUD to 1,600 AUD, which is about 1,465 CAD and is the highest among the major destinations.
Work Opportunities During Studies
Employment during studies is one of the crucial requirements for various international students. In Canada, students are allowed to work off-campus for 24 hours a week during academic sessions and unrestricted hours on campus. During scheduled breaks, no limit is set for work hours.
Australia allows students to work up to 48 hours every two weeks during academic sessions without a distinction between on-campus and off-campus employment. Students can work unrestricted hours during scheduled breaks.
These policies are flexible, though the distinction between on-campus and off-campus work in Canada may influence employment choices.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
Post-graduation work visas are very helpful for building working experience and establishing a path towards permanent residency. Canada provides its Post-Graduation Work Permit, which could be issued for up to three years depending on the course length.
Australian Temporary Graduate Visas range between two and three years, yet new policy introduced restrictions that impact eligibility based upon age limits as well as high English proficiency;
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Both countries provide formalized programs from student status to permanent residency, but differ in important ways:
Canada: The Canadian Experience Class, part of the Express Entry system, provides permanent residency to workers with experience in Canada. The Provincial Nominee Program also enables provinces to nominate individuals based on regional labor market needs.
These programs include such a broad range of occupations that any given graduate should be able to find an appropriate fit.
Australia: The Skilled Independent Visa 189 requires an applicant’s occupations to be classified on the SOL.
Likewise, the Skilled Work Regional visa demands certain occupations. This can work against graduate students whose fields are not on high-demand lists.
Recent Policy Changes and their implications
In both countries, in the year 2024, there were major Immigration Policy changes:
- Canada: Implemented category-based selection in Express Entry, such that more candidates in particular sectors get priority. This policy is primarily targeting labor shortages but might disadvantage those who don’t fall into the categories.
- Australia: The student visa fees were upped, and eligibility for post-graduation work permits became stricter, including age and English language proficiency. This is more of trying to manage migration levels but sometimes creates accessibility and equity issues.
Conclusion
Canada and Australia are among the top-ranked universities worldwide, but there a differences in education, tuition fees, work opportunities, post-graduation work permits, and residency paths.
A flexible work permit is available in Canada, while Australia has more stringent policies. In 2024, category-based selection was introduced in Canada’s Express Entry, whereas Australia raised student visa fees and tightened eligibility for post-graduation work permits.
For more details about Canada and Australia Immigration, reach out to the best immigration consultants in Delhi, Province Immigration via +91 98961 96762 or info@provinceimmigration.com
