Canada vs Australia Country Comparison
Choosing between two nations for an international student is typically difficult due to course offerings and future possibilities. It also necessitates a difficult decision in selecting one university in the desired country.
Australia and Canada are top English-speaking countries, attracting more than half of all overseas students each year. The Australian National University is ranked first in Australia and 27th in the world. In contrast, the University of Toronto is ranked first in Canada and 26th in the world.
Australia's top cities include Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Canberra. Canada's top study cities include Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa.
This blog focuses on the top two nations for international students, Canada vs Australia, who compete against each other every academic session. The post would also shed light on the most current popular courses at each level in Canada and Australia and the prices of studying, living, and other expenses.
Table of Contents
- Canada vs Australia: Education System
- Cost of Studying in Canada vs Australia
- Cost of Living in Canada vs Australia
- Students Life in Canada vs Australia
- Admission Requirements in Canada vs Australia
- Student Visa for Canada vs Australia
- Post Graduate Work Visa in Canada Vs Australia
- Job Opportunities & Salary in Canada vs Australia
- Scholarships to Study in Canada & Australia
- Canada vs Australia Economy
- PR in Canada & Australia
Canada vs Australia: Education System
While both nations have advantages for students who wish to study abroad, which country is preferable depends entirely on your preferences. Because both countries' courses are taught in English, they are popular study destinations for international students.
S. No. |
Canada |
Australia |
Tuition Cost |
Canadian universities provide higher quality education at a lower cost of living. Tuition costs in Canada are projected to cost between $10,000 and $30,000 per year. |
Tuition costs in Australian universities are somewhat higher than those in Canada. Fees in Australia range from $15,000 to $33,000 per year on average |
English Language Requirements |
All students are required to take English language examinations such as the TOEFL/PTE/IELTS. |
Students at Australian institutions must additionally complete one of the English language examinations, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. |
Eligibility For Bachelors |
Students in Canada must have finished their 12th grade to be eligible for a bachelor's degree. For UG courses, several universities additionally demand valid SAT scores. |
Students in Australia must have finished their 12th grade before they may graduate. |
Eligibility For Masters |
Students interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Canada must have a valid GRE score and a valid GMAT score for management courses. |
Students must have a valid GMAT score to pursue a Masters degree in Australia. Australian universities above GRE scores prefer GMAT scores. |
Job Security |
Employee retention in Canada is high. However, employment stability cannot be assured. In Canada, about 85 percent of professionals with secure work receive pensions. Furthermore, 94 percent of workers were found to be paid even while they were sick. |
Workers in Australia have a high level of self-assessed job security. Across the country, job retention averages around 89 percent. A significant percentage of workers believe they will be able to keep their employment in the future year. |
Cost of Studying in Canada vs Australia
College fees in Australia and Canada are structured so that international students receive appropriate practical knowledge while paying a reasonable charge.
Some institutes in both countries may demand high tuition, but the course time is also longer than in other institutes.
We have included the average cost of schooling based on the educational level below:
S.No |
Degrees |
Tuition Fee In-CAD |
Tuition Fee In AUD |
01 |
Undergraduate degree |
10,000-30,000 |
20,000-45,000 |
02 |
Graduate degree |
15,000-65,000 |
22,000-50,000 |
03 |
Doctoral program |
7,000-17,000 |
22,000-42,000 |
04 |
Diploma/ certificate/ vocational training |
10,000-15,000 |
4,000-22,000 |
Cost of Living in Canada vs Australia
Australia has a comparatively high cost of living. Although the Australian government recommends that you have around USD 12,180 to cover your annual living expenses, your rent alone might be as much as USD 9,600. Students in Canada will require an average of US$11,370 per year to cover living expenses. The cost of living in Canada is somewhat cheaper than in Australia.
S.No |
Kind Of Expenses |
Amount In-CAD |
Amount in AUD |
01 |
Cost of living one person |
8,000-9,000 |
8,800-21,000 |
02 |
One person rent |
1,221 |
1,483 |
03 |
Food expenses |
4,800 |
6,700-13,440 |
04 |
Transport expenses |
960-1,320 |
1,440-2,880 |
05 |
Campus Accommodation |
3,000-7,500 |
5,000-13,500 |
06 |
Utility bills |
800 |
480-960 |
07 |
Phone & Internet |
600 |
720-1,440 |
08 |
Entertainment |
1,800 |
3,840-7,200 |
09 |
Health insurance |
600-800 |
2,000 |
10 |
Flight Tickets |
1,00,000 |
2,50,000 |
Students Life in Canada vs Australia
Your student life is essential for your growth and development while studying abroad.
Let us now compare key characteristics of student life in Canada and Australia:
Canada
- Canada is a student-friendly country and the world's #1 study abroad destination for international students.
- Because of its liberal immigration policies, Canada's student population is highly diversified, attracting students from all over the world.
- You will not experience any language barriers in Canada because it is a multilingual nation where people speak English and French.
- In Canada, one may spend their free time camping, boating, fishing, skiing, ice skating, and other activities.
- Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Quebec are among the QS Best Student Cities 2022.
Australia
- Most universities in Australia provide outstanding foreign student support. Because English is the nation's official language, you will not have to strive to learn a new language.
- Water-based activities are perennially popular among Australians. If you live near the shore, you may go surfing, sailing, snorkelling, kayaking, and other water sports.
- You may participate in sports like cricket, rugby, tennis, shopping, or indulging in fine food.
- Australia has seven cities ranked in the QS Best Student Cities 2022 list: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, and Gold Coast.
Admission Requirements in Canada vs Australia
Candidates eager to study in Canada or Australia must meet the admission requirements.
They must grasp the admissions process for any university in these nations.
Canada's Admission Eligibility Requirement
- Students in Canada must have completed 12 years of school to be eligible for undergraduate (UG) programmes. A Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is usually not required for admission. Degree courses in Canada typically last four years, although undergraduate certificates often last two to three years.
- Admission to vocational courses is more straightforward for postgraduate (PG) programmes.
- GMAT may be required for admission to top management programmes. There are, however, several elite MBA schools in Canada that do not require the GMAT.
- In Canadian schools, the idea of cutoff marks does not exist. Colleges offer average acceptable scores and grade criteria for specific courses that are put up on their websites. Candidates may also be needed to take language examinations such as TOEFL or IELTS. However, some institutions waive this requirement if the candidate's primary language is English or if the student shows documentation of having completed previous studies in English.
Australia's Admission Eligibility Requirement
- Most Australian institutions need 12 years of pre-university schooling to enter the undergraduate study, making it more straightforward for overseas students to gain straight admission to the course/degree.
- Only candidates who have completed a three-year undergraduate degree will be considered for admission to postgraduate programmes. For engineering, students will need a four-year graduate engineering degree.
- Individuals must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) to be admitted to business courses. For scientific courses, they may need to be GRE qualified. In the case of management courses at some universities, Australian educational institutions may not require you to have job experience.
Student Visa for Canada vs Australia
Following an evaluation of the entrance requirements, candidates, must investigate the visa procedures for Canada and Australia, respectively. Whatever university and programme an applicant chooses, they must be able to travel to their study abroad destination, Canada or Australia.
The Canada Visa Application Process
- Applying for a Canadian student visa is around CAD 150.
- As part of the visa application procedure to Canada, all student visa applicants, including any accompanying family members, must have a mandatory medical examination.
- Once you have finished your programme of study in Canada, you must apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) within 90 days of finishing your studies.
The Australia Visa Application Process
- The visa to Australia will cost about $535.
- A student visa in the form of a badge is not issued in Australia.
- Spouses can get dependent visas only if the candidate is pursuing a master's or PhD.
- As a result, if you are studying for an undergraduate degree in Canada, your spouse is not eligible for a dependent visa. Spouses of Masters and PhD candidates can work indefinitely.
- Students on student visas can work for up to 40 hours per fortnight while studying in Australia.
Post Graduate Work Visa in Canada Vs Australia
Canada
The Canadian Post Graduation Work Visa permits students graduating from any post-secondary institute to work after graduation for up to three years, depending on the length of their education. This work permit allows the student to work in any sector or industry.
Australia
Graduates with a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an Australian university with a study visa can apply for a post-study employment visa. Diploma holders and other qualifying graduates may be able to apply for an 18-month sub-class 485 visa in Australia under the graduate employment stream.
Job Opportunities & Salary in Canada vs Australia
S.NO |
Job Profile |
Salary in CAD |
Salary in AUD |
01 |
Accounting Manager |
178,000 |
119,828 |
02 |
CA |
104,000 |
117,7460. |
03 |
Financial Analyst |
160,000 |
101,561 |
04 |
Graphic Designer |
75,800 |
56,100 |
05 |
Architect |
147,000 |
148,800 |
06 |
Business Analyst |
154,000 |
161,000 |
07 |
Engineer |
109,000 |
117,598 |
08 |
HR Manager |
178,000 |
151,246 |
09 |
Biomedical Engineer |
98,500 |
39,600 |
10 |
Pharmacist |
151,000 |
177,000 |
Scholarships to Study in Canada & Australia
Scholarships contribute significantly to the cost of study, providing 25-100 percent of tuition costs plus other allowances.
Some of the best scholarships in Canada and Australia are as follows:
S.No |
Scholarships in Canada |
Scholarships in Australia |
01 |
Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) |
Australian Leadership Awards |
02 |
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship |
Macquarie University International Scholarship |
03 |
President’s Scholars of Excellence Program |
Endeavor Postgraduate Scholarship Awards |
04 |
Gold Standard Scholarship |
University of Queensland India-Australia BEL Excellence Scholarship |
05 |
International Major Entrance Scholarships |
International Postgraduate Research Scholarship |
06 |
Canada Asia-Pacific Awards |
Sydney Scholars India Scholarship |
07 |
Shastri Indo Canadian Institute |
Australia Awards Scholarships |
08 |
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship |
Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards |
09 |
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program |
University of Sydney International Research. Scholarships |
10 |
Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship |
International Postgraduate Research Scholarships |
Canada vs Australia Economy
Canada
- As a trillion-dollar-plus high-tech industrial civilisation, Canada is similar to the United States in its market-oriented economic structure, production pattern, and wealthy living standards.
- The rapid rise of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has changed the country's economy from mainly rural to primarily industrial and urban.
- The country's petroleum industry is gradually becoming an even greater economic engine. Alberta's oil sands considerably increase Canada's proved oil reserves, placing the country third behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
Australia
- The Australian economy has grown steadily, with low unemployment, controlled inflation, very low public debt, and a robust and stable banking sector.
- The high Australian dollar has affected the manufacturing sector. However, the services sector is the most critical portion of the Australian economy, accounting for around 70% of GDP and 75% of jobs.
- Australia escaped the global financial crisis relatively unharmed because its banking system has remained robust and inflation is under control.
PR in Canada & Australia
To make an informed decision on whether Canada or Australia is preferable for International students, you must first understand the PR guidelines in each country. The good news is that both Canada and Australia have PR opportunities.
Here is a short comparison of the PR processes for Indian students in Canada and Australia:
Canada
After obtaining a post-graduate work visa, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada through the Express Entry route or as a provincial nominee.
Australia
Your point total determines your eligibility for PR. To apply for PR in Australia, you must have at least 65 points. It will be simpler to obtain PR if your scores are 85 or above. Qualifications, job experience, age, and vocation contribute to PR in Australia.
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