Canada vs Australia for Students – Which is the Best Country for International Study Abroad in 2024?

Every year students go to foreign countries to attain higher education. For many years, the United States of America (USA) has continued to be the top destination for students.

Currently, Canada and Australia have become two popular study destinations for students looking to study abroad.

The reason Canada and Australia are attracting many students are not far fetched:

• World-class quality of education and training.
• Flexible immigration rules.
• Safe and secure country.
• Tolerant society.
• Infrastructure.
• and many more.

As a result, students are usually caught between choosing among the two study abroad destinations. Canada vs Australia for students – Which is better for studying as an international student?

Both countries have something exclusive to offer. The beautiful mountains and hills of Canada and the stunning beaches of Australia may be alluring to students, but which country offers the best university/college educational experience?

Read on to find out more about Canada vs Australia for students. 

Introduction

Australians and Canadians think a lot alike regarding the education system. Accessing the level of skillfulness of these two nations, they have obviously demonstrated that training is a mark of financial development. A nation grows fast if its people can read and write. A country could attain progress if its residents are educated.

As an international student looking for post-secondary admission in either nation, it depends on what area of study you are looking to get into.

Both Canada and Australia are favoured destinations for students who intend to study abroad. Although, studying in Canada is less expensive compared to Australia. Overall, deciding on a choice between these two nations, depends on the individual’s objectives.

Canada vs Australia for Students – Top Universities and Courses

Both Canada and Australia are known for having top universities for studying abroad. Check below for the list of top universities in Canada and Australia according to the QS World University Rankings 2020.

There are five Australian and two Canadian Universities in the top 50 universities in the world. 

Canada vs Australia for Students – QS World University Rankings

Canada vs Australia for Students – Most Opted Courses in Canada

Canada vs Australia for Students – Most Opted Courses in Australia 

Canada vs Australia for Students – Cost of Living 

Canada vs Australia for Students – Cost of Undergraduate Courses 

Note: The tuition fees will vary depending on your intended course of study. Generally, management courses cost more.

Also, studying in Canada is much more affordable compared to Australia. The tuition fee and living costs are very much moderate in Canada. An average yearly cost for medical insurance ranges between $300 CAD to $800 CAD per year.

Canada vs Australia for Students – Admission Requirements 

Candidates that are ready to study in Canada or Australia are expected to fulfill the admission requirements. They must understand the procedure to secure admission to any university in these countries.

Admission Eligibility Requirement for Canada

For undergraduate (UG) programs in Canada, students must have completed 12 years of education. To get admission, a Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is typically not required.  The standard duration for degree courses in Canada is four years, while undergraduate diplomas are generally between two to three years.

For postgraduate (PG) programs, securing admission into vocational courses is easier. To acquire admission into top management degrees a GMAT may be required. Although, there are some top MBA programs in Canada that do not require GMAT. Similarly, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is typically required for research-based engineering degrees, such as an MSc. 

The concept of cutoff marks does not apply to Canadian schools. Colleges post average scores accepted and/or grade requirements to various courses on their websites. That will give some idea about what is considered a good score.

Candidates may also be required to write language exams like TOEFL or IELTS, although this requirement is waived by some schools depending on if the candidate’s first language is English or if the student provides proof of completing their previous studies in English.

Although some universities and colleges in Canada may not require a language test, it may be a good idea to get one done (either TOEFL or IELTS) for the purpose of acquiring a visa. As there is a school of thought that if the Canadian study visa interviewer is unsure about the candidate’s spoken skills, they may not give the visa.

MORE -> Canada University and College Admission

Admission Eligibility Requirement for Australia

To secure admission for undergraduate studies in Australia, most of the universities need 12 years of pre-university schooling, making it easier for international students to secure admission directly to the course/degree of their choice.

For admission to postgraduate programs, only candidates who have concluded a three-year undergraduate degree will be eligible.

In the case of engineering, students will require a four-year graduate degree in engineering.

To secure admission in management courses, they will have to sit for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and for science courses, they may need to be eligible in the GRE.

Australian educational institutions may not expect you to have work experience in case of management courses at some colleges.

Course Duration Comparison – Canada vs Australia

In Canada, to be conferred with an ‘honours’ degree, the duration of your course must be for at least 4 years.

Canada vs Australia for Students – Visa Procedure

After looking at the admission criteria, candidates must check out the visa procedure for Canada and Australia respectively. No matter the university and program a candidate picks, at the end of the day, they need to be able to travel to their study abroad destination Canada or Australia.

Canada Visa Process

It will cost about $150 CAD to apply for a Canadian study visa.

The visa application procedure to Canada requires a mandatory medical examination for all student visa applicants including any accompanying family member.

Your family members (such as spouse and children) can apply to accompany you to Canada, regardless of the level of study you intend to pursue in Canada.

An international student in Canada, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week (that is part-time) during regular school sessions and full-time (that is, up to 40 hours a week) during schedule school breaks such as during reading week, summer session, and school holidays.

If your spouse or common-law partner accompanies you to Canada, he/she is entitled to work full-time while you are studying. The duration of your spouse’s work permit is tied to the duration of your studies. For example, if your course of study is for one year, your spouse will be issued a work permit that is for a maximum of one year.

If your visa application is approved outside Canada, you will be issued a study visa in the form of a sticker affixed to your passport. Then, at the point of entry in Canada, a Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officer will issue you a study permit and a work permit.

Once you have completed your program of study in Canada, you will have to put in an application for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 90 days of completing their studies.

Keep in mind that due to the fact that immigration policies is ever-evolving, you will want to keep up with the latest Canadian immigration news.

PRO-TIP: A Canadian PGWP can only be issued to you once in your lifetime. So, if you intend to go for further studies in Canada, it may be a good idea for you to first complete your second studies before applying for a PGWP. This way you can combine the duration of your studies to get a PGWP with a longer duration.

Australia Visa Process

The visa for Australia will cost approximately $535.

Australia does not grant a student visa in the form of a sticker.

Spouses acquire dependant visas only if the candidate is pursuing a Masters’s degree or Ph.D. Therefore, if you are pursuing an undergraduate degree in Canada, your spouse is not entitled to a dependent visa. The spouses of Masters and Ph.D. candidates can work for endless hours.

Student visa holders are permitted to work for up to 40 hours each fortnight studying in Australia. 

Canada vs Australia for Student – Scholarships 

Another reason Canada and Australia are becoming popular destinations for study abroad is that students can get scholarships for their undergraduate and/or post-graduate studies. The scholarship typically covers the cost of the tuition fees.

Some popular scholarships that are open to candidates in Canada and Australia are:

Scholarships for Candidates in Canada 

• Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan.
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program.
• Canada Asia-Pacific Awards (CAPA).
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships funded by the Government of Canada.
• Shastri-Indo Canadian Institute.
• The Government of Canada funded Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship.
• National Research Council of Canada (NRCC).
• Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship.
• Sauvé Scholars Program by the Jeanne Sauvé Youth Foundation.

Scholarships for Candidates in Australia 

• Macquarie University International Scholarship.
• University of Adelaide Ashok Khurana Scholarship for Indian Students.
• Australia Awards Scholarship.
• Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards.
• University of Queensland India-Australia BEL Excellence Scholarship.
• University of Sydney International Research Scholarship.
• Australian Leadership Awards (ALA).
• International Postgraduate Research  Scholarship.

Canada vs Australia for Student – Work Permit After Graduation

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada

As one of the most favourable immigration countries globally, Canada has a large number of international students from across the world.

To work in Canada after your studies, you are to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (referred to as PGWP). The length of the PGWP you will be issued depends on the duration of the course you studied. For you to be eligible for a PGWP in Canada, the course you studied must have been for a minimum of 1 year (which is equivalent to 8 academic months). The highest limit of the post-work permit is for three years. Therefore, if you studied in Canada for 4 years, you will be issued a PGWP for 3 years as that is the maximum.

The PGWP permits international students graduating from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada – whether college or university – to secure Canadian work experience.

In the long run, the Canadian work experience achieved through PGWP helps international graduates to be eligible for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada through Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Eligibility Criteria 

You must have schooled full-time in Canada, and the course duration should be eight months at the least. As exception to the phsically present requirements was made by the Government of Canada during COVID-19, thereby recognizing studies that were done digitally due to COVID-19 restrictions.

You must have documented proof from the college/university of the same — for instance, an official letter or a transcript.

Applicants must have a valid student visa when applying for the PGWP. That is you must not be out-of-status. If your student visa expires after your submit your PGWP application, that is fine as you are deemed to have implied status.

Post Study Work Permit in Australia

In Australia, you can obtain a work permit of 2 – 4 years depending on the qualification you acquire.

International students who have concluded the Australian Study Requirements and have gained either a bachelor’s, master’s or a doctorate from a recognized Australian College will be eligible.

Also, graduates who have finished a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree may be qualified to apply for a two-year post-school work visa.

Other graduates may be qualified to apply for an 18-month subclass 485 visas through the graduate workstream. The visa application time takes up to 4 months.

You may even be allowed to bring your family member with you.

Canada vs Australia for Students – Permanent Residency Prospects 

Canada:

During the time of Post Graduation Work permit (PGWP), candidates can put in an application for Permanent Residency under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Since the country is not really populated, there is a shortage of highly skilled employees. Compared to most other countries, acquiring PR in Canada is very achievable.

READ ALSO -> Step-by-Step Guide to Canada Immigration

Australia: 

Acquiring a permanent residency permit to Australia is possible, but the process is seemingly complex.

The immigration officials conduct a meticulous background check on the candidate to ensure they are not fraudulent. Owing to the complicated nature of the process, the PR permit may take quite some time to be approved, but it is possible to get Australian citizenship.  

Canada vs Australia for Students – Environment, Climate, and Best Cities

While there are some incidents of racial crime here and there, Australia and Canada are really safe when it comes to international students. Most of the cities here are multiracial, with residents being quite warm and welcoming to foreigners. The governments of these nations are open to all nationals and strongly encourage cultural diversity and varieties.

Climate 

Canada: 

The weather in Canada differs across the country, depending on the location candidate decides to study. The land extends across five time zones from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and the weather is just as wide-ranging.

The province of British Columbia (BC) typically rainy with mild winter. Whereas, Toronto offers a chilly and snowy winter with an average temperature of -4.6 degrees Centigrade. Sometimes it can get as low as -20. The summers in Toronto seem to be hotter than in the UK, with temperatures on the average of 20 to 35-degree Celsius. The province of Alberta is colder than Ontario.

Australia: 

One reason for Australia being such a famous study destination for students is the fantastic weather it offers all year-round. In contrast to the constantly cold weather in Canada, Australia offers much more sunny climates and beautiful beaches to have fun. 

Best Student Cities: Canada

• Montreal
• Vancouver
• Toronto
• Ottawa
• Quebec

Best Student Cities: Australia

• Melbourne
• Sydney
• Brisbane
• Canberra
• Adelaide
• Perth
• Gold Coast

Industries: Canada

1. Manufacturing sector
2. Machinery and equipment sector
3. Biopharmaceutical industry
4. Chemicals industry
5. Food processing industry
6. Retail and institutional banking and advisory and financial management services

Industries: Australia

1. The financial Industry
2. The Business Consulting Firms
3. Metal and Mining industry
4. Energy and Utility Industry
5. Industrial and Material Industry
6. Healthcare Industry

Canada vs Australia for Students – Job Opportunities for Students

Canada

International students in Canada are permitted to work part-time up to 20 hours a week during semesters and full-time during breaks.

If you have a valid study permit, you automatically qualify to work during your studies. You are free to work either on-campus or off-campus. Although you do not need to get any special permission to work, you must be studying a full-time course and your job must not have any negative impact on your studies.

You can work in restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, retail stores like clothing or sports goods stores, libraries and bookstores, and so on. Students also do part-time jobs as lifeguards or swimming instructors at college swimming pools or beaches. If you are skilled in different languages, you can work as a translator.

Canada is a bilingual society (English and French), so the services of a translator are always needed.

Australia

In Australia, the least legal hourly pay for a basic job with no particular skill is about $18.93 AUD. Students with good skills can earn much higher per hour. International students can work up to 40 hours every two weeks, which comes to 20 hours a week during school sessions. The number of times a student can work on holidays is limitless.

Many universities in Australia have on-campus part-time job opportunities for international students.

Canada vs Australia for Students – Employment Opportunities for Graduates

Employment Opportunities in Canada:

Canada has a thriving and vibrant economy with a lot of room for growth and opportunities for residents.

Jobs like program analyst, teacher, financial manager, pharmacist, construction manager, etc., are some of the most sought after positions in Canada.

For people interested in applying for Permanent Residency through the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program, a permanent full-time job offer from a Canadian employer can reduce the application processing period. You can apply for a temporary work permit if you are looking for a job for a short term period.

Employment Opportunities in Australia:

Top jobs in Australia are provided in education, medical services, hospitality industry, computer system design, accounting, insurance, airlines etc.

Canada vs Australia for Students – Higher Education System

Australian Higher Education System:

After the USA and the UK, Australia ranked fourth in terms of offering the best higher education in the world.

Australia is home to a lot of the world’s top universities, and their education and degrees are recognized all over the world. It is not just about the degree program, but they provide students with the best study facilities where they not only learn but prepare the future.

There are over 1100 well-known institutes in Australia that provide more than 22000 courses.

Canadian Higher Education System:

In 2016, Canada ranked eighth Most Popular Student Attraction and fifth Best Country for Higher Education by QS Ranking. There are more than 175,000 worldwide undergraduate students in Canada, which could be an indication that studying in Canada is among the top choices for international students.

Just like Australia, Canada is home to the best universities and colleges in the world. The University of Toronto (UoT) has dependably been a standout amongst the most regarded and prestigious educational institution worldwide. QS ranked UoT 31st best university in the world to study in 2018.

Canada vs Australia for Students from Specific Countries

India

Canada and Australia are both preferred destinations for Indian students who intend to study abroad. Still, when it comes to picking between these two countries, the choices can differ depending upon the individual’s goals.  However, there are some major grounds which every student should consider while choosing a study abroad destination, these are as follows:

Safe and Secure Country: Going distances away from one’s friends, family, natives, city, state, and the nation is a huge decision, and safety is an essential factor that one considers. Canada is a multicultural nation where people from various cultures, nationalities live together. The country is politically stable. However, such may not be the case with Australia as there are situations where racism prevails in Australia. So, the study in Canada seems much safer.

Tolerant Society: Being a multicultural and cosmopolitan society, Canadians are tolerant of one other, and they foster learning and living together. The diversity and varieties on campus in Canadian institutes lead to a welcoming atmosphere for international students.

Canada vs Australia for Students – Comparison with the USA as a Study Abroad Destination

The USA vs Canada vs Australia for Students:

Schooling in the USA has been one of the most preferred among international students for decades now.

In recent times, Australia and Canada have been making strides in accepting international students, and longer strides i terms of the number of foreign students aspiring to study in these countries.

A comparison of the number of foreign students in each of these countries for the previous year:

While Canada sits at 572,000+ international students in 2018, Australia has a close figure of 690,000+. The USA leads the chart with the 1.09 million record-breaking number for 2018.

Whereas for Australia, the number of foreign students increased by 12%. There was a 16.25% increment in the number of foreign students in Canada compared to the previous year.

While these numbers give you an idea of the popularity of the USA, Canada, and Australia as a study destination for students; the numbers are not the only yardstick, and other factors will be considered.

Admission Eligibility Criteria in the USA vs Canada vs Australia for Students:

Whereas US Universities have programs that consider extra-curricular activities and sports as an entrance requirement, for instance, the Ivey Leagues. Canadian and Australian Universities, on the other hand, focus on academic records more than that.

No entrance examination or criteria required for most of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs to Study in Australia.

MS in the USA vs MSc in Canada vs Australia:

One of the popular courses that foreign students apply for the most is the Master of Science. In the USA, it is referred to as MS for short, while Canada and Australia refer to this as MSc.

An MS/MSc is a degree provided by all three countries and their education system is more or less the same. The courses obtainable from these three countries have wide ranges and there is a major difference between the tuition fees for these places. 

Best Universities to Study MS in the US vs MSc in Canada vs Australia for Students

Work While Studying in the USA vs Canada vs Australia:

As we have previously discused the deatils about work while studying in Canada and Australia, we will leave that out here and focus on the USA.

In the USA, it is preferred to work in the field of study, even though it is not mandatory. In the USA, international students are permitted to work at part-time jobs after a year of study, for 20 hours per week. International students are permitted to work on-campus at their educational institution (university/college) for the initial year of their studies. 

Work Opportunities After Study in the USA:

The USA is different from Canada and Australia here and far more stringent.

OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a means to stay back in the USA once the program is completed. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students may go for an OPT, which will last for 12 months.

If you are not a STEM student, Canada or Australia will be your best bet.

Student Visa Comparison – USA vs Canada vs Australia:

The process of obtaining a Visa, as you might have guessed by now, varies for every country.

There are some universal documents needed for the student visa. That should include a valid passport, your transcripts from any previous education you have had, any relevant education certificates you have, and proof of degree (such as a statement of result or certificate).

 If your documents are not in English, you will also have to provide translated copies in English, as all three countries are English speaking nations. Additional requirements depending on your intended course of study are a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LOR) or Reference letters.

Finally, students need to show they can sustain themselves financially for the length of the course, or one year. Here are the requirements:

The United States of America: The USA does not have a particular amount for the monetary requirements. It is usually mentioned on the Form I20 for the student visa in the USA.

Australia: $18,000 AUD (~ $12,560 USD).

Canada: $10,000 CAD (~ $7,660  USD).

The USA vs Canada vs Australia – Summary

Canada vs Australia for Students – Comparison with the UK as a Study Abroad Destination

The UK vs Canada vs Australia for Students – Which Country is the Best for International Students?

The United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia are three well-known study abroad destinations for students interested in studying internationally. But wait, the UK vs Canada vs Australia for students – which country is the best for international students? Read on!

The UK has a whopping eighteen (18) universities in the top 100 of the QS World University ranking. These include but are not limited to Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and the University of Bristol. Meanwhile, Canada has three (3), while Australia has seven (7).

Although you can top-up your degree in Canada, the process is not as seamless lime in the UK.

Climate

Weather in the United Kingdom is generally rainy and mild. Although the summer and winter seasons come with warm summer days and snowfall, rain is the more common weather throughout the year. During summer, temperatures generally stay between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, whereas winters are much cooler at about 0 to 7 degrees Celsius.

The weather in Canada differs across the country, as discussed earlier in this article.

In contrast to the cold weather in Canada and the UK, Australia has much more sunny climes and beautiful beaches, which is one reason that Australia is a popular study abroad destination.

Tuition Fee Costs

The range of tuition fees in Canada are broader and offer both cheaper and more expensive options than the UK, dependent on your program of study and choice of the educational institution. Meanwhile, the average tuition fees in Australia are typically higher than those in the UK and Canada.

Cost of Living

In the UK, living costs and rent are approximated between $12,000 and $15,000 USD per year. Most undergraduate courses (except for languages and medicine related programs) seem to last for three years in the UK. That makes a total living cost of $36,000 – $45,000 for the duration of a UK undergraduate degree program. This cost could increase if you decide to study in one of the more costly cities such as London.

The living cost in Canada for international students is more affordable than in the UK.  However, it is necessary to note that undergraduate degree courses in Canada are typically four years long.

Postgraduate study is 1-2 years in all three countries.

As part of the visa application procedure, potential international students for Australia must show that they have access to US$14,000 each year to cover the costs of living.

Opportunities for Permanent Residency in the UK

In 2012, Theresa May (the Home Secretary at that time), changed the law so that international students could only remain in the UK for two months after the end of their studies. The government later recognized this as unfair and extended it to six months. This reduced the interest of international students to chose the UK as a study abroad destination.

University organizations and some politicians started lobbying for this to be further extended to two years. This recently paid off as international students in the UK can now stay back in the UK and work for up to two years.

In contrast, Canada is often seeking individuals (especially international students in Canada) to remain in Canada and take on highly skilled workers, due to having a relatively low population and skilled workforce. 

Australia when compared to the UK, is also more welcoming to international students remaining at the end of their studies. 

Canada vs Australia for Students – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers

Canada vs Australia for Students – Which Country is the Best?

To make your decision-making process easier, here are some key points to note:

Both countries have educational institutions that are among the top-ranked universities in the world. Currently, Australia is ranked 4^th best for Higher Education System strength, while Canada is ranked 5^th best for Higher Education System strength.

Both countries allow you to work during your studies. However, Canada’s study and work requirements are easier than Australia’s, which is more stringent. Also, the cost of studying in Canada is relatively cheaper than Australia.

Diversity is similar for both countries and they are strict about law and regulations. In Australia, English is the language of instruction, while in Canada, a handful of regions offer the chance to learn in either English or French, as Canada is a bilingual country.

There is an opportunity for you to get a permanent residency (PR) in both countries. However, more people get Canadian permanent residence every year compared to Australia.

Now the things you should consider are mostly individual-based. Do you have any favourite subject? Each country have specific popularity in particular fields. Do you have a favourite university in mind? Do you have relatives or friends in any of these countries? Which country do you like personally?

So what is advisable if you are an international student?

If your number one priority is the quality of education, you just need to choose the course and the university that is a great fit for you. In this case, the right educational institution in any of the countries is recommended.

If your concern is an affordable country to study abroad, then Canada is the best bet of all three (Canada vs Australia vs the United States of America) of them.

If you are looking for a country where you can stay back and seek employment after your studies, either Canada and Australia is the place if you. However, Canadian immigration seems to be easier than Australian immigration.

In conclusion, Canada and Australia are both prominent destinations to study abroad, and they rank among the top countries for quality education and student experience. You have to weigh your options and decide what factors are most important to you and choose the country that wins along those lines.

Good luck!

READ ALSO -> Why Choose Canada for Study?

AUTHOR

Charee Oisamoje is the founder of CanadaWiz. She leads the editorial team, which is comprised of subject matter experts that aim to create well-researched, highly detailed content related to studying, working, immigrating, and settling/living in Canada as a newcomer.

Charee's personal experiences as a Canadian immigrant and her professional competencies make her uniquely qualified on the subject matter.

With extensive educational credentials, she is an expert at collecting details, verifying facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. MBA in Finance MScIB CCEA (#CCG 271) CPA Candidate ✔️CIP ✔️BSc Accounting

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