In this blog we are trying to shed some light for Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025. As Canada and Australia may be on your list of possible study abroad countries if you plan to immigrate after completing your education.
Both Australia and Canada have declared significant changes to their immigration policies for 2024.
Despite these developments, anyone seeking high-quality education, hospitable and diverse communities, and post-graduation options to permanent residency can still find much to enjoy in Canada and Australia.
Our team has determined the following to be the most notable differences for Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025:
| Canada | Australia | |
| PR pathways | Although there are many different vocations that might lead to permanent status in Canada, occupations that qualify for category-based draws have an advantage. | Your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in order to be eligible for permanent residence under the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189). |
| National work experience-based PR pathway(s) | For skilled workers with Canadian experience, Express Entry offers the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). | No equivalent program. |
| Work hours on a study permit | Students are allowed to work as much as they want on campus. | Both on-campus and off-campus work are subject to the same work hour restrictions. |
| Study program restrictions for post-graduation work eligibility | Only graduates of programs related to in-demand occupations are eligible for post-graduate work after completing college or other vocational schools. | No program restrictions. |
Along with the main distinctions mentioned above, we have also compiled comprehensive data on a number of additional parameters, many of which are comparable but some of which differ significantly:
| Canada | Australia | |
| Number of Universities Named in QS World University Rankings 2025 Top 100 Ranking | 4 | 9 |
| Tuition cost (approximate) | 29,000 CAD to 81,000 CAD | 26,500 AUD to 113,000 AUD (24,509 CAD to 104,511 CAD) |
| Study permit cost | 150 CAD | 1,600 AUD (1,465 CAD) |
| Study permit processing time | Varies, approximately 3 months | Approximately 61 days (at time of publishing) |
| Hours international students can work while studying | 24h/week off campus during classes
Unlimited on campus during classes Unlimited during breaks |
48h every 2 weeks during classes
Unlimited during breaks No distinction between on-campus and off-campus |
| Maximum length of post-graduate work status | PGWP: up to three years | Temporary Graduate Visa – 2-3 years. |
| Popular PR Pathways for international students | Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
Skilled Independent Visa
Skilled Work Regional Visa |
| Eligible occupations for permanent status (for pathways listed above) | Express Entry programs: all skilled occupations.
PNP: varies. In general, all skilled occupations, plus some lower-skilled occupations. |
Skilled Independent Visa: only those on the skilled occupation list.
Skilled Work Regional Visa: only those on the skilled occupation list. |
Internationally recognized educational establishments:
There are internationally recognized educational institutes in both Canada and Australia.
The four Canadian universities listed below are among the top 100 in the 2025 QS World University Rankings:
- University of Toronto – 25th place.
- McGill University – 29th place.
- University of British Columbia – 38th place.
- University of Alberta – 96th place.
Meanwhile, many Australian institutions also feature on the list:
- The University of Melbourne – 13th place.
- The University of Sydney – 18th place.
- The University of New South Wales – 19th place.
- Australian National University – 30th place.
- Monash University – 37th place.
- The University of Queensland – 40th place.
- The University of Western Australia – 77th place.
- The University of Adelaide – 82nd place.
- University of Technology Sydney – 88th place.
Tuition costs for undergraduates for Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025:
In general, tuition costs for overseas students in Canada and Australia are comparable.
However, depending on the program, school, and study location, tuition costs can vary significantly.
In 2024–2025, international undergraduate students in Canada may pay between 29,000 and 81,000 Canadian dollars a year, according to Statistics Canada.
According to recent estimates, Australia’s leading institutions plan to raise tuition prices in 2025, with annual rates ranging from 26,500 AUD to 113,000 AUD (24,509 CAD to 104,511 CAD).
Obtaining a study permit is simple:
The standards for study permits in Australia and Canada are essentially the same. The primary distinctions are:
- Applying for a study permit in Canada is less expensive, and there are fewer financial assistance criteria.
- Language testing requirements are less stringent in Australia.
- A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is necessary in Canada.
- In addition to requiring an overseas student health cover, Australia has a real student requirement.
For further information, see the table below:
| Documentation required | Canada | Australia |
| Proof of acceptance | From a designated learning institution (DLI) | From an institution registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) |
| Proof of identity | Required | Required |
| Financial support requirement | 20,635 CAD | 29,710 AUD (27,328 CAD) |
| Proof of financial support | Bank statements for the past 4 months | Bank statements |
| English language tests | Typically, an IELTS score of 6-6.5 for undergraduate programs | IELTS score 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent) |
| Processing time | Varies based on country the applicant is applying from. Usually up to three months | About 61 days, at time of publishing |
| Provincial attestation letter | Yes | No |
| Genuine student requirement | No | Yes |
| Health insurance | Many provinces offer eligible students access to provincial health insurance. Those that do not require students to get private insurance. Some universities offer plans to help. | Students need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) |
The procedures and prerequisites for granting study visas are comparable in Canada and Australia.
Study permit documentation for Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025
Identity verification
This might be a legitimate passport.
Evidence of approval
This needs to originate from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. The provincial or territorial government has given this school permission to accept international students.
This needs to originate from an Australian institution that is registered with CRICOS. This is the official list of all Australian educational institutions that are allowed to provide classes to international students on student visas.
Evidence of financial backing:
This is used to demonstrate that an international student can sustain themselves while they are enrolled in classes.
In Canada, applicants (who are not from Quebec) must demonstrate that they have $20,635 CAD.
Applications for international student visas to Australia require documentation of at least 29,710 AUD (27,328 CAD).
Tests of the English language:
When applying for DLI (prior to the study permit procedure), students in Canada are required to demonstrate their language skills. The majority of universities require an IELTS band score of 6-6.5 for undergraduate programs and 6.5-7 for postgraduate degrees, though this varies depending on the DLI.
Australia raised the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score for a student visa from 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent) in March 2024.
Every nation has a list of documents that are necessary in addition to these.
Canada
Provincial attestation letter (PAL): The IRCC also declared in January 2024 that PALs were required. For this, it is advised that students get in touch with their educational institution immediately.
Additional records that might be required are
- a medical examination,
- a letter of explanation,
- a custodian statement (for minors only),
- and other paperwork.
Australia
Genuine student requirement: In the online student visa application form, which was introduced in March 2024, candidates will be asked a series of questions. This is to ascertain whether their plans to study in Australia are sincere.
For international students and their dependents, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a private health insurance plan.
Australia, meantime, just raised the price of its study permit, making it 1,600 AUD (1,465 CAD) as of July 1.
The median processing period for an Australian student visa, as of the time of publication, is 61 days.
Updates on the intake of international students
International student admissions are capped in both Australia and Canada.
A National Planning Level (NPL) was established by the Australian government in August 2024 to restrict the expansion of programs for international students beginning on January 1, 2025. This lowers the number of new international students starting courses for the calendar year to 270,000, which is lower than it was in 2023.
In the meantime, 305,900 foreign student arrivals are the goal set by Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2025. For the arrival of overseas students in 2026 and 2027, this figure stays the same.
For international students, these modifications offer a possible benefit. Additionally, more individualized academic experiences and easier access to on-campus housing might result from smaller cohorts. In the local job markets, it may also lessen competition among recent grads.
Working while studying in Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025
While studies are in session, overseas students in Canada are currently permitted to work off campus for up to 24 hours every week.
The amount of time students can work on campus is unlimited.
The amount of hours that students can work off-campus is unlimited during planned breaks, such as summer or winter holidays.
In Australia, students are permitted to work as much as 48 hours every two weeks throughout the academic year and as much as they like during study holidays. There is no cap on the number of hours that PhD and master’s students in research-based programs can work.
In Australia, there is no difference between working on or off campus. So does it make Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025?
Post graduation work authorization
After graduating, overseas students have the opportunity to get legal status to work in both Canada and Australia.
However, there are significant distinctions between Canada’s and Australia’s post-graduate employment status options:
While Canada has no age limitations, Australia requires candidates to be 35 years of age or younger, with few exceptions.
Canada limits eligibility for college or vocational school graduates to programs that correspond with in-demand occupations; Australia has no such restriction.
For more details, see the following table:
| Canada | Australia | |
| Post Graduation work options | Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Post-Higher Education Work Stream |
| Duration of work status after graduation | Depends on duration of degree, up to 3 years | Usually 2-3 years, depending on qualification |
| Eligibility | – Complete a full-time program at an eligible Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) that is at least 8 months long.
– Graduate from either 1) an academic bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program; or 2) a college program or university vocational program aligned with an in-demand occupation in Canada’s labour market – Complete an English or French language test with CLB 7, for university graduates, or CLB 5, for college graduates. – Apply for PGWP within 180 days of graduation – Maintain full-time student status during every academic term of their program, with some exceptions for authorized leaves or part-time status in their final term. |
– Be 35 years or younger when you apply. *Exceptions apply
– Be in Australia when applying – Hold an eligible visa – Have held a student visa in the last 6 months – Have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course – Provide evidence of adequate health insurance, police check, and English proficiency requirements |
International graduates of vocational schools applying for Post Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) in Canada are subject to new field of study restrictions, as announced in September 2024. University graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees are exempt from this field of study restriction.
International students’ PR paths in Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025
Although PR avenues are available in both nations, there are some significant distinctions.
While Canada has no age limitations, Australia requires applicants for the Skilled Independent Visa to be 45 years of age or younger (with limited exceptions).
Canadian degrees and professional experience are highly valued in Canada. A well-liked federal initiative for qualified workers with Canadian work experience is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Australia does not have a comparable program to CEC, but it does grant points for Australian degrees and experience.
Australia’s skilled occupation list (SOL), which emphasizes particular professions (such those in STEM), serves as a major foundation for its PR paths. Unless they are nominated by a state or territory, those in other occupations may find their possibilities for PR paths limited. They may also need to consider family-joining.
Conversely, applicants with jobs in National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEERs 0, 1, 2, and 3 are eligible for Canada’s Express Entry system, which is open to candidates in all skilled occupations. Although they may qualify for Provincial Nominee Programs, lower skilled vocations (NOC TEER 4 or 5) are not eligible for Express Entry.
In Canada
The online application management system for skilled worker immigration to Canada is called Express Entry. favored group among overseas students:
Class on Canadian Experience (CEC)
Candidates must have completed at least one year of full-time or comparable part-time skilled job experience in Canada during the previous three years.
Program for Provincial Nominees (PNP)
Based on local needs, Canadian provinces and territories designate people for permanent residence under the PNP. If a candidate has a job offer or possesses the talents the province needs, they can apply through the PNP. A province nomination is given to successful candidates, increasing their prospects of being accepted through the Express Entry system or the straight PNP track.
In Australia
For skilled workers, the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a points-based visa that is determined by age, education, job experience, and English language skills.
Before filing an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, candidates must have a job on the skilled profession list and have an Australian authority evaluate their qualifications. International graduates benefit from extra points given for Australian degrees and local job experience.
For skilled workers who wish to live and work in regional Australia, there is a points-based visa called the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491). In addition to having a job on the appropriate skilled profession list, applicants must be sponsored by an eligible relative or nominated by a state or territory government.
In addition to extra points for regional nomination or sponsorship, points are given according to age, education, work experience, and English competence. After fulfilling specific requirements, the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa offers a five-year validity period and a route to permanent residency.
Living expenses
Housing costs
In order to compare, we have examined the median rental costs for a two-bedroom apartment in both countries’ most popular cities for international students. Cities were selected based on their ranking in the 2025 QS Best Student Cities list.
| City | Median rent for a two bedroom apartment |
| Montreal, Canada | 1,890 CAD |
| Toronto, Canada | 2,500 CAD |
| Vancouver, Canada | 2,829 CAD |
| Melbourne, Australia | 2,200 AUD (2,016 CAD) |
| Sydney, Australia | 2,880 AUD (2,639 CAD) |
| Canberra, Australia | 2,240 AUD (2,052 CAD) |
Food
Numbeo’s crowdsourced data indicates that groceries cost 6.9% less in Canada than in Australia.
The average monthly cost of food in Canada is between $248 and $330, though this can vary based on a number of factors, including dietary needs and personal preferences.
The average monthly cost of groceries in Australia is about 430 AUD ($393).
Transportation
Big Canadian cities have cheaper public transportation tickets than big Australian cities:
| City | Cost of a ticket (public transport) |
| Montreal | 3.75 CAD |
| Toronto | 3.75 CAD |
| Vancouver | 3.20 CAD |
| Melbourne | 5.30 A$ (4.83 CAD) |
| Sydney | 5.00 A$ (4.56 CAD) |
| Canberra | 5.00 A$ (4.56 CAD) |
So have you decided which is Best country to study abroad for Indian Students between Canada and Australia 2025?
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