Many students seeking higher education abroad often wonder whether to choose Australia or Canada. They come across questions like- which one is a better study destination? What will be the cost of living? What about job opportunities? And many more. Both countries are top-rated among Indian students for their world-class education, globally accepted degrees, and high quality of life. So, it isn’t easy to decide the one for higher education. Yet, there are various factors that students can review before making the final decision.
The top reasons Canada and Australia luring international students are:
- Presence of top-ranking colleges/universities/education institutes
- Flexible immigration pathways
- Safety and security for international students
- Impeccable quality of life
- Option for permanent residency after education
- Low cost of living
- Superb quality education
- Both are English speaking nations
Canada vs. Australia- Study
Canada has an excellent scope for students opting for courses such as Business and Finance, Nursing, Computer Science and IT, Media and Journalism, Hospitality, Agricultural Science and Forestry, and Computer Science.
Whereas in Australia, the most popular programs are: MBA, Accounting, IT, Business Management, Healthcare, Environmental Science, Hotel Management, Education, etc.
Canada vs. Australia- Top Universities
Both Canada and Australia are known for their top-ranking institutions, excellent quality of education, and globally renowned degrees. The top-ranking colleges of Canada as per World QS Rank 2022 are:
Canada
| Canadian Universities | World QS Rank 2022 |
| University of Toronto
McGill University University of British Columbia University of Montreal University of Alberta McMaster University University of Waterloo Western University University of Ottawa University of Calgary |
26
27 46 111 126 140 149 170 230 235 |
Australia
| Australian Universities | World QS Rank 2022 |
| Australian National University
University of Sydney University of Melbourne University of New South Wales University of Queensland Monash University University of Western Australia University of Adelaide University of Technology Sydney University of Wollongong |
27
38 37 43 47 58 93 108 113 193 |
Canada vs. Australia- Job Opportunities
A skilled worker in Canada earns around 120,000 CAD. The salary structure may range between 30,200 CAD and 534,000 CAD. In contrast, Australia offers an average salary of 90,800 AUD. The starting salary could be between 23,000 AUD and 405 000 AUD depending on your skills.
Regarding employability for international graduates, you may refer to the table below to compare Canada and Australia as per QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
| Canadian Universities (GE Ranking) | Australian Universities (GE Ranking) |
| University of Toronto (21)
University of Waterloo (24) Western University (43) McMaster University (81) University of Alberta (99) |
University of Sydney (4)
University of Melbourne (8) University of New South Wales Monash University (54) University of Technology Sydney (62) |
Canada vs. Australia- Immigration Pathways
We encourage Indian students to be well-informed about PR visa pathways for Canada and Australia to make the right decision.
Canada: International students can qualify for permanent residency after completing their studies and getting a post-graduation work permit. They can apply for a PR visa through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, or Startup visa.
Australia: Your immigration prospects to Australia are determined by how many points you get in SkillSelect. You must secure at least 65 points to qualify for a PR program. The highest-scoring applicants have more chances of getting an invite for the visa. Your education, age, work experience, and occupation contribute to your overall eligibility points.
Stay back options for Canada vs. Australia
| Canada | Australia |
| International students have the option to apply for a Post-graduation work permit. The duration of your course determines the validity of a PGWP. Depending on the programs ‘ length, it can be from eight months to two years. | Students may apply for a 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa to stay back. It permits you to live, study, and work in Australia after completing your studies. The visa has two streams: the Graduate Work stream and the Post-Study Work Stream. |
Canada vs. Australia- Cost of Living
The overall cost of living plays a significant role for international students when deciding whether to choose Canada or Australia. Let’s compare the tuition fee for both countries:
| Program | Annual Tuition Fees in Canada (in CAD) | Annual Tuition Fees in Australia (in AUD) |
| Undergraduate degree
Graduation Doctoral Diploma/ certificate/ vocational training |
10,000-30,000
15,000-65,000 7,000-17,000 10,000-15,000 |
20,000-45,000
22,000-50,000 22,000-42,000 4,000-22,000 |
Other Expenses
| Expenses | Cost per year in Canada (in CAD) | Cost per year in Australia (in AUD) |
| Campus Accommodation
Private Accommodation Food Utility bills Phone & Internet Entertainment Health insurance |
3,000-7,500
8,000-9,000 4,800 800 600 1,800 600-800 |
5,000-13,500
8,800-21,000 6,700-13,440 480-960 720-1,440 3,840-7,200 2,000 |
In terms of the cost of living, Canada seems cheaper than Australia.
To conclude:
There is no perfect answer for which country you should go to for higher studies. It depends on your educational interests and personal and professional goals. Students need to weigh the pros and cons of studying in both destinations as per their circumstances and then come to a fruitful conclusion. If you need any assistance, don’t forget to contact study visa experts for the right advice.