Canada vs. Australia: Which Country Offers the Best Immigration path for Students?

Factors

Canada

Australia

Number of Universities in QS World University Rankings 2025 Top 100 Ranking

4

9

Approximate Tuition fee

29,000 CAD to 81,000 CAD

26,500 AUD to 113,000 AUD (24,509 CAD to 104,511 CAD)

Cost of study permit

150 CAD

1,600 AUD (1,465 CAD)

Processing time of study permit

Around 3 months

Around 61 days

International students can work up to:

24h/week off campus during classes

48h every 2 weeks during classes

Unlimited on campus during classes

Unlimited during breaks

Unlimited during breaks

No distinction between on-campus and off-campus

Maximum length of PGWP status

up to three years

Temporary Graduate Visa – 2-3 years.

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: 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.

Top QS ranking 2025

Canadian Universities

25th place

University of Toronto

29th place

McGill University

38th place

University of British Columbia

96th place

University of Alberta

Top QS ranking 2025

Australian Universities

13th place

The University of Melbourne

18th place

The University of Sydney

19th place

The University of New South Wales

30th place

Australian National University

37th place

Monash University

40th place

The University of Queensland

77th place

The University of Western Australia

82th place

The University of Adelaide

88th place

University of Technology Sydney

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

Valid Passport

Valid passport

Financial support requirement

20,635 CAD

29,710 AUD (27,328 CAD)

Proof of financial support

Bank statements of past 4 months

Bank statements

English language tests

An IELTS score of 6-6.5 for undergraduate programs

IELTS score 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent)

Processing time

It depends on the country from where they are applying. Usually up to three months

Around 61 days

Provincial attestation letter

Yes

No

Genuine student requirement

No

Yes

Medical Insurance

A lot of provinces offer eligible students access to provincial medical insurance. Eligible students with health insurance do not required to get Private health insurance. Some universities offers them

Students need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Factors

Canada

Australia

Post-Graduation work options

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Duration of work status after graduation

It depends on the course duration, up to 3 years

Usually 2-3 years depending on the qualification

Eligibility

Finish a full-time program at an eligible Canadian designated learning institution (DLI) that is at least 8 months long.

 Be 35 years or younger when they apply

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 labor market

Be in Australia while applying

Complete an English or French language test with CLB 7, for university graduates,

 or CLB 5, for college graduates.

Hold an eligible visa

Apply for PGWP within 180 days of graduation

Have held a student visa in the last 6 months

They must 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 a recent qualified in a CRICOS-registered course

Have proof of adequate health insurance, police check, and English proficiency requirements

Factors

Canada

Australia

PR pathways

Gain a Canada PR through a wide range of occupations, although occupations eligible for category-based draws have an advantage

Gain Australia PR is you are aged (45 years or above) through the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) that is highly dependent on your occupation being under the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

There is one more pathway The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)

National work experience-based PR pathway(s)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC), a program under Express Entry for skilled workers with Canadian Experience.

No equivalent program.

Work hours on a study permit

Students can work unlimited hours on campus.

Limit on work hours applies equally to on-campus and off-campus work.

Study program restrictions for post-graduation work eligibility

For college graduates and other vocational program graduates, post-graduate work eligibility is restricted to graduates of programs aligned with in-demand occupations.

No program restrictions.