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Posted on November 26 2024

Canada vs. Australia: Which Country Offers the Best Immigration path for Students?

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By  Editor
Updated November 26 2024

Highlights: Canada vs. Australia for International Students to Immigrate  

  • Canada and Australia are two top countries for international students to study abroad.
  • Marc Miller, the Immigration Minister of Canada, announced approving up to 360,000 study permits this year.
  • As of August 2024, Australia, on the other hand, has issued 298,000 study visas to international students.  
  • Both Canada and Australia offer post-graduation PR pathways for students seeking immigration.

*Want to study abroad? Get in touch with experts at Y-Axis for end-to-end assistance with the process.

 

Study in Canada vs. Study in Australia

Canada and Australia offer similar study and immigration benefits to international students. Both countries have recently announced major changes to their immigration systems by capping the student visa application intake.

 

The table below lists the key differences between studying in Canada and Australia.

Factors

Study in Canada

Study in Australia

Number of Universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025

4 Universities

9 Universities

Average Tuition fees

29,000 CAD - 81,000 CAD

26,500 AUD - 113,000 AUD

Study Permit fees

150 CAD

1,600 AUD

International Student Intake

305,900 for 2025 under the Canada Immigration Levels Plan

270,000 starting 2025 under the National Planning Level (NPL)

Study permit processing time

8 -13 weeks

22 -61 days

Number of hours allowed for international students to work

24 hours per week for off-campus work

48 hours every two weeks while during classes            

No limitations for on-campus work

No limitations during academic breaks

No limitations during academic breaks

 

Duration of post-graduate work status

Post Graduate work permit (PGWP) for a maximum of 3 years

Temporary Graduate Visa for a maximum of 2-3 years

Does it offer PR pathways?

Students can get Canada PR through any occupations listed under the Express Entry category-based draws. 

Students can be eligible for Australia PR through the Subclass 189 visa if their occupation is listed under the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

PR pathways

Express Entry, Canada PNP, Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Skilled Independent Visa, Skilled Work Regional Visa

 

*Want to apply for a PR visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for complete immigration assistance.  

 

 

Documents Required: Study in Canada vs. Study in Australia  

Both countries require you to submit certain documents to apply for a study permit. However, some of the major changes between Canada and Australia is that:

  • Canada requires you to submit a Provincial attestation letter (PAL)
  • Australia has lower language requirements as compared to Canada
  • Canada has comparatively low application fees and fund requirements as compared to Australia

The table below lists the documents required to apply for Canadian and Australian study permits.

Documents required

Canada

Australia

Proof of acceptance or Acceptance letter

From an eligible DLI (Designated learning institution)

From an eligible institution registered on the CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students)

Identity proof

 Required

Required

Requirement of funds

20,635 CAD

29,710 AUD

Proof of funds

Bank statements of the recent 4 months

Must submit bank statements.

English language tests

A minimum IELTS score of 6.0-6.5 for Undergraduate study programs.

A minimum IELTS score of 5.5-6.0 for Undergraduate study programs.

Provincial attestation letter

Required

Not required

Genuine student requirement

Not required

Required

Medical Insurance

Students can avail the provincial medical insurance offered by the Canadian provinces or get private insurance

Students must have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)

 

*Confused about which course to pick to study abroad? Avail Y-Axis Course Recommendation services to help you make the right choice.

 

QS World University Rankings for 2025: Canada vs. Australia

Four Canadian and nine Australian universities are among the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025.  

The complete list of top QS ranking universities in Canada and Australia is in the table below.

Top Universities in Canada

List of Canadian Universities

Ranking in the list of QS World Rankings

University of Toronto

25th

McGill University

29th

University of British Columbia

38th 

University of Alberta

96th

 

*Want to study in Canada? Let y-Axis help you with the procedure.

 

Top Universities in Australia

List of Australian Universities

Ranking in the list of QS World Rankings

The University of Melbourne

13th 

The University of Sydney 

18th

The University of New South Wales

19th

Australian National University

30th

Monash University

37th

The University of Queensland

40th

The University of Western Australia

77th

The University of Adelaide 

82nd

University of Technology Sydney

88th

 

*Want to study in Australia? Let y-Axis help you with the procedure.

 

Post-graduation work authorization: Canada vs. Australia

Canada and Australia offer international students the option to acquire legal work permit status in the country after completing their graduation. While Canada has no age restrictions, Australia requires graduates to be 35 years old or younger. Canada limits the eligibility for post-graduate work permit status to vocational and college program students who are enrolled in in-demand occupations-aligned courses, while Australia does not have any such conditions.

 

You can refer to the table below for complete details of the post-graduation work authorization rights offered by Canada and Australia:   

Factors

Canada

Australia

Post-Graduation work option offered

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Validity of the work permit status after graduation

Up to 3 years

Up to 2-3 years (Differs based on the type of qualification)

Eligibility Criteria

Complete a full-time program (at least 8 months program) at a registered and eligible DLI

Must be under 35 years of age. (Exceptions applicable)

Graduate with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD (or) a vocational or college program aligned with the Canadian in-demand occupations

Must be present in Australia while applying

Have French or English language proficiency of at least CLB Level 5 for college graduates and CLB Level 7 for university graduates.

Must have an eligible Australian visa

Must apply for a PGWP within 180 days of graduating

Must have held a valid Australian student visa in the last 6 months

Must maintain a full-time student status during academic terms with exceptions of authorized leaves or part-time study status in the final term of their study program.

Have qualifications in courses that are recognized and registered with the CRICOS

Provide proof of medical insurance, clear criminal record and language proficiency tests.

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with overseas immigration?  Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in UAE!

For recent immigration updates, check out the Y-Axis Immigration News Page! 

Tags:

Study in Australia

Study in Canada

Canada study permit

Australia study visa

Canada PR

Australia PR

Study permits

Canada Express Entry

Subclass 189 visa

Subclass 491 visa

Canada PNP

Study abroad

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