Canada vs. Australia: Which country is the best choice for international students seeking immigration?

If you’re looking to study overseas with the intention of immigrating after your studies, you might be considering Canada and Australia as potential destinations.

Over the course of 2024, both Canada and Australia have announced sweeping changes to their immigration systems.

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Even after these changes, Canada and Australia have a lot to offer those looking for quality education, diverse and welcoming communities, and post-graduation pathways to permanent residency.

Here are the most significant differences the CIC News team has identified:

In addition to the major differences above, we’ve also summarized detailed information on a variety of other factors, many of which are similar, but some of which have significant differences:

Globally ranked educational institutions

Both Canada and Australia are home to world-renowned educational institutions.

The QS World University Rankings for 2025 lists the following four Canadian institutions within the top 100 spots:

Meanwhile, many Australian institutions also feature on the list:

Overall, international students can expect to pay similar tuition fees in Canada and Australia.

That said, the cost of tuition can vary greatly, depending on the program, school, and study location.

According to Statistics Canada, international undergraduate students in Canada can pay anywhere between 29,000 CAD to 81,000 CAD annually in 2024/2025.

In Australia, according to latest reports, top universities are set to increase tuition fees in 2025, charging between 26,500 AUD and 113,000 AUD (24,509 CAD to 104,511 CAD) anually.

Study permit requirements between Canada and Australia are broadly similar. The main differences are:

See the table below for more details:

Canada and Australia have similar requirements and processes for issuing study permits.

Documentation for study permits

Proof of acceptance For Canada, this must come from a designated learning institution (DLI). This is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.

For Australia, this must come from a CRICOS-registered institution. This is the official register of all Australian education providers that are permitted to offer courses to students studying in Australia on student visas.

This refers to funds outside tuition, to prove that an international student can support themselves while studying.

In Canada, the amount of money an applicant (outside of Quebec) needs to prove they possess is 20,635 CAD.

In Australia, international student visa applicants must provide proof of at least 29,710 AUD (27,328 CAD).

In Canada, students must prove language proficiency while applying for DLI (before the study permit process). While this differs according to the DLI, most institutions require an IELTS band score of 6-6.5 for undergraduate programs and 6.5-7 for postgraduate programs.

In March 2024, Australia increased the minimum test score for a student visa from International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent).

In addition to these documents, each country has its own list of documentation that is required.

Provincial attestation letter (PAL): In January 2024, IRCC also announced the requirement of PALs. Students are recommended to correspond directly with their educational institution for this.

Other documentation that may also be needed are

Genuine student requirement: Introduced in March 2024, applicants will be asked a list of questions in the online student visa application form. The purpose of this is to determine their intentions of studying in Australia are genuine.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): This is a private health insurance for overseas students and their dependents.

Meanwhile, Australia recently doubled the cost of its study permit as of July 1, raising it to 1,600 AUD (1,465 CAD).

As per the time of publishing, the median processing time for a study visa in Australia is 61 days.

New announcements concerning international student intakes

Canada and Australia both have caps on international student admissions.

In August 2024, The Australian Government announced a National Planning Level (NPL) to limit the growth of international student programs starting January 1, 2025. This brings the total new international student commencements for the calendar year (the actual number of students starting a course) to 270,000 – down to 2023 levels.

Meanwhile, Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan set a target for international student arrivals at 305,900 for 2025. This number remains consistent for international student arrivals in 2026 and 2027.

These adjustments present a potential advantage for international students. Smaller cohorts can also lead to more personalized academic experiences and improve access to campus housing. It can also reduce competition among graduates in the local job markets.

In Canada, international students can currently work up to 24 hours a week off campus while classes are in session.

There is no limit to the number of hours students can work on-campus.

During scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays, there is no limit on the number of off-campus hours students can work.

In Australia, students can work up to 48 hours every two weeks during term time and unlimited hours during study breaks. PhD and master's students enrolled in research-based programs have no limit on hours they can work.

There is no distinction between on-campus and off-campus work hours in Australia.

Post graduation work authorization

Both Canada and Australia provide international student graduates with the opportunities to obtain legal status to work in each country after graduating.

But there are important differences between options for post-graduate work status in Canada versus Australia:

For more details, see the following table:

Under new guidelines announced in September 2024, international graduates of vocational programs who apply for Post Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) in Canada must meet additional field of study requirements. This field of study restriction does not apply to university bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD graduates.

PR pathways for international students

While both countries offer PR pathways, there are some key differences.

Australia requires applicants to be aged 45 or younger (with some exceptions) for the Skilled Independent Visa; Canada has no age restrictions.

Canada greatly prioritizes those with Canadian work experience and degrees. Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a popular federal program for skilled workers with Canadian work experience. While Australia does award points for Australian degrees and experience, it does not have an equivalent program to CEC.

Australia’s PR pathways are heavily based on its skilled occupation list (SOL) which focuses on certain occupations (for example, those in STEM). Those in other occupations may find PR pathways limited, unless they are nominated by a state or territory, or look at family-joining options.

In contrast, candidates of all skilled occupations are eligible for Canada’s Express Entry system--that is, candidates with occupations in National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEERs 0, 1, 2, and 3. Lower skilled occupations (NOC TEER 4 or 5) are not eligible for Express Entry, but may be eligible for Provincial Nominee Programs.

Express Entry is an online system for managing applications for skilled worker immigration to Canada. Popular category for international students:

Applicants must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada (full-time or equivalent part-time) within the last 3 years.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Through the PNP, Canadian provinces and territories nominate individuals for PR based on regional needs. Candidates can apply through the PNP if they have a job offer or skills that match the province's requirements. Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination, boosting their chances in the Express Entry system or through a direct PNP pathway.

The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a points-based visa for skilled workers, assessed on factors like age, education, work experience, and English proficiency.

Applicants must have an occupation on the skilled occupation list and have their qualifications assessed by an Australian authority before submitting an expression of interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. Extra points are awarded for Australian degrees and local work experience, offering an advantage to international graduates.

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) is a points-based visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. Applicants must be nominated by a state/territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative and have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

Points are awarded based on age, education, work experience, and English proficiency, with additional points for regional nomination or sponsorship. This visa is valid for five years and provides a pathway to permanent residency after meeting certain criteria through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa.

To compare, we’ve looked at median rental prices for a two-bedroom apartment across top cities for international students in both countries. Cities were chosen as per their position in QS Best Student Cities 2025.

According to crowdsourced data from Numbeo, groceries prices in Canada are 6.9% lower than in Australia.

In Canada, the monthly price of groceries is approximately $248- $330, although it can go higher depending on preferences, nutritional requirements and more.

In Australia, the monthly price of groceries comes down to approximately 430 AUD ($393).

Tickets for public transit are less expensive in major Canadian cities than they are in major Australian cities: