Study in Canada vs Australia: Which is Better for Indian Students?

Education System: Australia vs Canada for International Students

Before diving deep into the comparison between Australia and Canada for international students, let’s understand the differences between their education systems:

Canada

Canada’s education system is governed by provinces and has 4 levels starting from pre-elementary, elementary or primary, secondary and post-secondary. Colleges in Canada mainly offer certificates, diplomas, and vocational training programs, whereas degree programs such as bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate are offered at universities.

Australia

Australia has a three-tiered education system with courses categorized into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The education system in Australia follows the standards set by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). There are 10 levels under the AQF.

Levels 1-4 are certificate courses, level 5 represents diploma programs, level 6 corresponds to advanced diploma and associate degrees, level 7 denotes bachelor’s degrees, level 8 is bachelor’s honors degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas, level 9 represents master’s degrees, and lastly, level 10 represents doctoral degrees.

Eligibility Criteria: Australia Vs Canada For Study

The eligibility criteria for the Australia vs Canada study will vary based on the university and course choice. However, there is a standard process that is followed by all. Here is an overview of the eligibility criteria based on the type of study level chosen for both countries:

Canada

Undergraduate Degree	Completed 10+2 with 70-80%; IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 is recommended. SAT/ ACT may be required
Graduate Degree	Completed a first-class bachelor’s degree; Minimum work experience of 2-3 years for an MBA in Canada GMAT score above 550 is recommended for management programs GRE may be required for some programs IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 is recommended.

Australia

Undergraduate Degree	Completed 12 years of pre-university education Minimum IELTS score of 5.5 overall is recommended
Graduate Degree	Completed a 3-year bachelor’s degree program or 4-year Engineering degree at UG level GMAT scores are required for management programs GRE scores for other programs MBA in Australia without work experience is acceptable at many universities IELTS score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5

Student Visa: Canada vs Australia

You will need a valid student visa at all times for the duration of your program. Here’s a quick comparison of the student visa in Canada vs Australia:

Canada	Australia
Requires Canada study permit	Requires Australian subclass 500 student visa
Application fee: INR 9,100	Application fee: INR 32,500
Processing time: 90 days	Processing time: 1 to 10 months
Requirements:   Proof of acceptance to an institution Copy of passport Proof of sufficient finances Passport size photographs Proof of English language proficiency Letter of explanation Immigration Medical Examination A Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ), for studying in Quebec	Requirements:   Proof of identity Copy of passport or birth certificate Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) Proof of money to meet expenses Proof of Overseas Health Cover Genuine Temporary Entrant document Proof of English language proficiency Documents of partner or any dependents accompanying you.

Suggested: Australia study visa

Top Universities To Study: Canada vs Australia

Rankings of institutions play an important role in helping you decide which country is better Canada or Australia, for study. Both Canada and Australia are home to several elite institutions. Let’s take a look at them below:

Top Universities in Canada

University Name	QS World University Rankings 2024
University of Toronto	21
McGill University	30
University of British Columbia	34
Universite de Montreal	141
University of Alberta	111

Top Universities in Australia

University Name	QS World University Rankings 2024
Australian National University (ANU)	34
University of Sydney	19
University of Melbourne	14
University of New South Wales (UNSW)	45
University of Queensland (UQ)	43

Check out: How to shortlist universities abroad?

Not sure which college is right for you? Yocket College Finder can help. It uses your unique profile to match you with colleges that are a good fit academically, financially, and culturally. Sign up for FREE today!

Suggested: How to shortlist universities abroad?

Top Courses: Australia Vs Canada For Study

It is important to know about the top courses in Canada vs Australia to see whether your program of interest is popular in that country or not. Your academic and job prospects will depend on the demand for professionals in that field.

Here are the top courses to pursue in Canada and Australia listed below:

Canada	Australia
Business and Finance	Arts and Design
Engineering	Business and Management
Computer Science and IT	Healthcare and Medicine
Media and Journalism	Dentistry
Medicine and Healthcare	Engineering

Total Study Cost: Australia Vs Canada

The cost of studying in Australia vs Canada is determined by two factors, tuition fees and cost of living. Let’s learn more about this below:

Tuition Fees

Type Of Study Level	Canada	Australia
Undergraduate degree	INR 6,06,000 - INR 18,20,000/year	INR 10,50,000 - INR 23,63,000/year
Graduate Degree	INR 9,10,000 - INR 40,00,000/year	INR 11,55,000 - INR 26,26,000/year
Doctoral Program	INR 42,45,000 - INR 10,30,000/year	INR 11,55,000 - INR 22,06,000/year
Diploma/ certificate/ vocational training	INR 6,06,000 - INR 9,08,000/year	INR 2,10,000 - INR 11,55,000/year

Suggested: Cost of studying in Australia/Canada

Cost of Living

The average cost of living in Canada is INR 6,06,000 - INR 7,27,000/ per year. For Australia, it is INR 10,00,00 - INR 10,50,000/ per year.

Here’s a look at the basic expenses you incur while studying in Canada vs Australia:

Type of Expense	Canada	Australia
Accommodation	INR 1,80,000 - INR 4,45,000/year	INR 2,60,000 - INR 11,03,000 AUD/year
Food	INR 2,91,000/year	INR 3,50,000 -INR 70,60,000/year
Public Transport	INR 58,200 - INR 80,050/year	INR 75,600 - INR 1,50,000/year
Health insurance	INR 36,300 - INR 48,500/year	INR 10,500/year
Entertainment	INR 10,91,000/year	INR 2,00,000 - INR 3,78,000/year

Suggested: Living cost in Australia/Canada

Student Life: Canada vs Australia

Student life is another important aspect when choosing the right study destination abroad. A good student life environment also enhances a student's decision to continue their stay in a country.

Let us compare such aspects of student life in Canada & Australia below:

Student Life in Canada as an International Student

• Canada is known to be a student-friendly country and the top study-abroad destination globally for international students.
• Canada is a bilingual country where people speak English and French, so you won't face any language barrier.
• One can enjoy leisure time in Canada camping, boating, fishing, skiing, ice skating, or more.
• The QS Best Student Cities 2024 features cities like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Quebec.
• Canada witnesses 4 diverse seasons: Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. While Summer is pleasant, winters in Canada can be bone-chilling, with temperatures going as low as -30 degrees Celsius.

Suggested: Student life in Canada.

Student Life in Australia as an International Student

• Australia has excellent international student support available at almost all institutions.
• English is the country's official language, meaning you don’t have to struggle to learn a new language altogether.
• Water-based activities are an all-time favorite of people living in Australia. You can enjoy surfing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, etc. if you are located close to the coastline.
• There are 7 cities in Australia that have ranked in the QS Best Student Cities 2022 - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Gold Coast.
• There are 4 distinct kinds of weather in Australia: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. Temperatures in Australia are favorable for students around the year.

Scholarship Opportunities: Australia Vs Canada For Study

Scholarships significantly contribute to the cost of education, covering 25-100% of the tuition fees with additional allowances. Some of the top scholarships in Canada & Australia are

Canada	Australia
1. Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)   2. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship   3. President’s Scholars of Excellence Program   4. Gold Standard Scholarship   5. International Major Entrance Scholarships	1. Australian Leadership Awards   2. Macquarie University International Scholarship   3. Endeavor Postgraduate Scholarship Awards   4. University of Queensland India-Australia BEL Excellence Scholarship   5. International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Part-Time/Internship Opportunities: Canada vs Australia

Working part-time is becoming a popular option because it provides financial support and also provides work experience, and hones new skills, among other benefits. Part-time work opportunities in both countries are available both on and off campus.

Part Time Jobs in Canada

You can work part-time during school terms for up to 20 hours per week maximum and full-time during semester breaks. The minimum hourly pay of INR 605 in Canada.

Read more about the part-time jobs in Canada

Part Time Jobs in Australia

International students are allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight and unlimited hours during holidays. A student in Australia is entitled to a minimum hourly pay of 18.93 AUD.

Suggested: How to get a part-time job in Australia?

Tax Payment: Canada vs Australia

International students are eligible to pay taxes in both countries. Based on the rules set, overseas students must pay fees based on certain factors, as seen below.

Canada

International students who undertake part-time jobs or paid internships should pay the set taxes. Similarly, the former can file a tax return to claim the same. In case students work outside of Canada, the income received should be exhibited since the former is staying in Canada. Students from countries with a tax treaty with Canada may be exempted from taxes.

Australia

International students studying in Australia for more than six months course are eligible to pay taxes. Overseas students pay the same tax as the residents of Australia. Apart from this, they also receive tax benefits such as tax offsets, etc. Also, if you’re earning income from other countries while staying in Australia, you should declare that income.

Stay Back Options: Canada vs Australia

The process of staying back after studies in Canada and Australia, are nothing alike. The table below highlights the process in both these countries:

Canada	Australia
To stay back in Canada after studies, you must apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).	The 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa is the most common type of visa availed by international students to stay back in Australia after graduation.
The validity of a PGWP in Canada will depend on the length of your program and range anywhere between 8 months to 2 years depending on the length of your program.	A Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa allows you to live and work in Australia for 18 months to gain work experience if you have completed a program of 2 years or longer.
A PGWP is the only option for international students to stay back in Canada after studying.	Other stay-back options include 402 Training and Research Visa, 487 Regional Sponsored Visa, 887 Skilled Regional Residence Visa, 885 Skilled Independent Residence Visa, and 886 Skilled Sponsor Resident Visa.

PR Opportunities: Canada Vs Australia

To make an informed choice between Canada or Australia which is better for Indian students, you must be aware of the PR rules in both countries. The good news is that both Canada and Australia offer PR opportunities.

Here’s a quick look at the PR process in Canada vs Australia for Indian students:

In Canada: You can apply for permanent residency in Canada after getting a post-graduation work permit; through the Express Entry process or as provincial nominees.

Suggested: How to get PR in Canada?

In Australia: Point requirements determine your eligibility for PR. You need a minimum of 65 points to apply for a PR in Australia. If your scores are 85 or above, it will be easier to get PR. Your qualifications, work experience, age, and occupation contribute towards PR in Australia.

Suggested: Guide on settling in Australia

It is easier to get a PR in Canada than in Australia due to the complexity of the process.

From the Desk of Yocket 

Canada and Australia are both excellent countries for international students to pursue higher education. They offer world-class universities, diverse student populations, and strong job markets.

However, each student is different, so it is important to choose the country that best fits your individual needs and goals. Consider factors such as academic interests, financial budget, and scholarship opportunities when making your decision.

Yocket Premium can help you make this big decision easier. Our counselors can help you align your study abroad choices with your educational and professional goals.

Sign up for a FREE consultation session with the Yocket Counselors!