Study in Canada – Your Complete Guide for Australian Students

Canada's strong academic standing and inclusive multicultural atmosphere continue to draw students. Here's a quick look at some key points:

• Close to 1 million international students chose Canada as their study destination by the close of 2024, confirming its place as a top choice for education around the world.
• To address housing and service availability, the government set a limit of 437,000 new study permits for 2025.
• At the end of 2023, over 396,000 Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders were working in Canada, which is more than twice the amount seen in 2019.
• Ontario is the destination for over half of all new study permit recipients on a yearly basis.
• Roughly 70% of international students want to obtain a PGWP, and over half plan to pursue permanent residency.

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Why Study in Canada?

Canada is a top choice for students worldwide, including those from Australia, because it brings together quality education, diverse cultures, and job prospects. Several Canadian universities rank in the world's top 100, providing excellent academic programs with modern research and career-focused learning. A Canadian degree is recognized around the world, improving job chances in Australia and elsewhere.

Canada's multicultural environment, with people from over 200 countries, helps international students adjust and feel comfortable. Canada is known for being safe and welcoming, usually ranking high among the world's safest countries, with cities that focus on safety and quality of life for students. In addition, the country provides good options for work after graduation and clear routes to permanent residency, making it a good option for students wanting to live abroad for the long term while enjoying a good quality of life and many cultural experiences.

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What is Canada Study Permit (Student Visa)?

In Canada, international students usually need a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to attend specific schools (DLIs). If your program is longer than six months, you have to get this permit before you arrive. Depending on where you're from, you might also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

The study permit states the conditions of your stay, like which school you can go to, what level of study you can do, and if there are any work restrictions. It's usually good for your program's length, plus an extra 90 days, which allows time to get ready to leave, apply for a work permit after graduation, or extend your stay for more study.

 

Types of Student Visas/Permits for Canada

Detailed information about the student visas and permits for Canada is given below.

Type of Visa/Permit	Purpose	Who Needs It	Validity
Study Permit	Authorises full-time study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).	International students enrolled in programs longer than 6 months.	Duration of the study program + 90 days.
Co-op/Internship Work Permit	Allows students to complete mandatory work placements as part of their course.	Students whose program includes a compulsory co-op or internship component.	Matches the length of the study permit.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)	Entry document required for visa-required countries to enter Canada.	Students from countries that are not visa-exempt.	Varies, usually matches study permit.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)	Electronic entry requirement for visa-exempt travellers flying to Canada.	Students from visa-exempt countries (including Australia) travelling by air.	Up to 5 years or until passport expiry.

 

 

Benefits of Studying in Canada for Australian Students

The benefits of studying in Canada are given below:

• Canadian degrees and diplomas hold global recognition, improving career opportunities both in Canada and internationally.
• You can attend top-ranked universities and colleges that offer updated facilities and research programs.
• The multicultural setting aids adaptation and the growth of international networks.
• Work in Canada is permitted part-time for international students while studying and full-time during breaks, in addition to co-op and internship programs.
• The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) offers a chance to gain Canadian work experience and provides pathways to Canada PR or permanent residency.
• Tuition and living costs are lower than in the US and the UK, while still keeping a high quality of life.
• Canada is a safe country for international students.

 

Who Can Apply for a Canada Study Permit?

To study in Canada, Australians need a permit if their full-time program at a recognized educational institution is longer than six months. Applicants have to prove they can pay for their tuition, living costs, and trip home. They also must meet Canada's health and personal ethics standards, potentially needing medical checks or police records. A study permit is not needed for programs shorter than six months, but longer programs or those including work need one.

 

Eligibility Criteria to Study in Canada

To study in Canada, you'll need to meet these requirements:

• A formal acceptance letter from a Canadian learning institution that is approved by the government.
• Proof that you have enough funds to pay for your tuition, living costs, and return trip. This includes money for any family members coming with you.
• Evidence of your English or French skills. You can show this through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or TEF, if needed.
• A passport that will remain valid for your entire stay in Canada.
• Proof that you plan to leave Canada when your study permit ends, unless you are eligible to stay longer.
• You might need to pass a medical exam as required by Canadian immigration.
• You might need to provide a police certificate to prove you do not have a criminal record.

 

Documents Required to Study in Canada

To apply for a study permit, you must provide the following documents:

• A valid passport.
• An acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
• Proof you have enough money to support yourself (like bank statements or sponsor letters).
• Recent passport-sized photos that meet Canadian visa requirements.
• Completed application forms for the study permit.
• Proof of your English or French skills, if needed (like IELTS or TOEFL scores).
• Biometrics (fingerprints and photo), if asked for.
• Medical exam results, if IRCC requests them.
• A police clearance certificate, if asked for.
• Receipts that show you have paid your tuition fees or made a deposit.

 

How to Apply for a Canada Study Permit – Step-by-Step

The process to apply for Canada Study Permit is given below:

Step 1: Get a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, as well as any needed provincial attestation letter.

Step 2: Apply online by creating an IRCC account, filling out the application, uploading the needed documents, and paying the fees.

Step 3:  Attend your biometrics appointment. Complete a medical exam if asked to do so.

Step 4: Track your application status and quickly respond to any requests from IRCC.

Step 5: Once your application is approved, you will get a port-of-entry letter. Get an eTA/TRV, if needed, and present your documents at the border to get your study permit.

 

Cost of Studying in Canada

Detailed information about the cost of studying in Canada is given below:

Expense Category	Average Cost (per year)
Study Permit Application	CAD 150
Tuition Fees	CAD 20,000 – CAD 40,000
Living Expenses	CAD 15,000 – CAD 20,000
Health Insurance	CAD 600 – CAD 1,000
Miscellaneous Costs	CAD 1,000 – CAD 2,000

 

 

Canada Study Permit Processing Time

Detailed information about the processing time for Canada Study Permit is given below.

Application Location	Average Processing Time
From Australia	2 – 6 weeks
From within Canada	4 – 8 weeks
Via Student Direct Stream	Around 20 calendar days

 

 

Scholarships for International Students in Canada

In Australia, students have access to scholarships from the government, universities, and private entities to help with expenses. These scholarships, often awarded based on merit, can cover tuition or living costs.

Scholarship Name	Amount	What It Covers	Eligibility Criteria
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships	CAD 50,000/year for up to 3 years	Tuition, living expenses	Outstanding academic achievement in graduate studies; leadership skills; nominated by a Canadian institution.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto)	Full tuition + books + incidental fees + residence for 4 years	Tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence	Exceptional academic achievement, creativity, and leadership; must be nominated by school.
University of British Columbia International Scholars Program	Up to full tuition + living expenses	Tuition and living costs	High academic performance and financial need; demonstrated leadership.
York University International Student Scholarship	CAD 20,000/year (renewable for up to 4 years)	Tuition	Strong academic record (minimum “A” average) and leadership qualities.
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships	CAD 14,000/year (Master’s), CAD 18,000/year (PhD)	Tuition and living expenses	Academic excellence; open to all nationalities; full-time graduate students.
Carleton University Entrance Scholarships	CAD 4,000 – CAD 16,000	Tuition	Strong academic achievement; automatic consideration with admission.
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship	CAD 20,000/year (renewable)	Tuition	Exceptional academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
Humber College International Entrance Scholarships	CAD 2,000 – CAD 4,000	Tuition	Academic merit; awarded at the time of admission.
McGill University Entrance Scholarships	CAD 3,000 – CAD 12,000	Tuition	Academic excellence; automatic consideration with admission.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships	CAD 70,000/year for 2 years	Living expenses and research costs	Postdoctoral researchers demonstrating excellence and leadership in research.

 

 

Can You Work While Studying in Canada?

Yes, international students in Canada can work while they study, provided they meet requirements. Most full-time students who have a valid study permit can work up to 20 hours a week during school terms and full-time during breaks like summer or winter holidays. Students can work either on campus or off campus without needing another work permit.

If a student's program has a mandatory work placement or internship, they will need to apply for a Co-op/Internship Work Permit as well as their study permit. Working while studying can help with living costs and provide relevant Canadian work experience. This experience can benefit students when they apply for post-graduation work permits and later, for permanent residency.

 

Post-Study Work and Permanent Residency Opportunities in Canada

Opportunity	Description	Duration	Eligibility Criteria
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)	Allows graduates to work in Canada after completing an eligible program.	Up to 3 years (based on program length)	Completed a full-time program of at least 8 months at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	PR pathway under Express Entry for those with Canadian work experience.	Permanent	At least 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience; meet language requirements.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)	PR pathway for graduates nominated by a province or territory.	Permanent	Graduate from an eligible Canadian institution; meet specific provincial criteria.
Atlantic Immigration Program	PR program for graduates in Atlantic provinces with a job offer.	Permanent	Graduate from a recognised institution in Atlantic Canada; have a job offer from a designated employer.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)	PR pathway for graduates in participating smaller communities.	Permanent	Graduate from a local post-secondary institution; have a qualifying job offer in the community.

 

 

Bringing Family While Studying in Canada

In Canada, international students can bring immediate family—spouses/partners and dependent children. Spouses/partners could get open work permits for full-time jobs. Children can usually attend primary or secondary school without needing their own study permits. To include family, students have to show they can cover living costs. Family applications can be submitted with the student's permit application or later. While having family present can improve the study experience, it's important to budget for extra expenses and meet all immigration rules to ensure things go smoothly.

 

Top Courses to Study in Canada

Field of Study	Top 10 Universities/Colleges	Popular Programs
Engineering & Technology	• University of Toronto • University of British Columbia • McGill University • University of Alberta • University of Waterloo • McMaster University • Queen’s University • University of Calgary • Concordia University • Carleton University	Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering
Computer Science & IT	• University of Toronto • University of British Columbia • McGill University • University of Waterloo • Simon Fraser University • University of Alberta • Carleton University • University of Ottawa • Western University • Dalhousie University	Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing
Business & Management	• University of Toronto (Rotman) • University of British Columbia (Sauder) • McGill University (Desautels) • York University (Schulich) • Western University (Ivey) • Queen’s University (Smith) • University of Alberta • Concordia University (John Molson) • University of Calgary (Haskayne) • Saint Mary’s University (Sobey)	MBA, International Business, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Health & Life Sciences	• University of Toronto • McGill University • University of British Columbia • University of Alberta • McMaster University • University of Calgary • University of Ottawa • Queen’s University • Dalhousie University • Université de Montréal	Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy
Creative Arts & Design	• OCAD University • Emily Carr University of Art + Design • Sheridan College • George Brown College • Concordia University • University of Alberta • NSCAD University • Ryerson University (Toronto Metropolitan University) • University of Manitoba • Capilano University	Graphic Design, Animation, Film Production, Industrial Design, Fine Arts

 

 

Top Universities in Canada for International Students

University	QS Global Rank (2025)	Location	Popular Courses Offered
University of Toronto	25	Toronto, Ontario	Engineering, Medicine, Business, Computer Science, Law
McGill University	29	Montreal, Quebec	Medicine, Life Sciences, Business, Law, Arts & Humanities
University of British Columbia	38	Vancouver, British Columbia	Forestry, Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences
University of Alberta	96	Edmonton, Alberta	Energy Engineering, Earth Sciences, Medicine, Business
University of Waterloo	115	Waterloo, Ontario	Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Business
Western University	120	London, Ontario	Health Sciences, Business, Engineering, Social Sciences
Université de Montréal	159	Montreal, Quebec	Medicine, Law, Engineering, Arts, Natural Sciences
University of Calgary	198	Calgary, Alberta	Engineering, Geosciences, Business, Medicine
McMaster University	176	Hamilton, Ontario	Health Sciences, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences
University of Ottawa	203	Ottawa, Ontario	Law, Public Policy, Engineering, Social Sciences

 

 

Living in Canada as a Student

Studying in Canada provides students with quality education, cultural variety, and a secure setting. Housing choices include on-campus dorms, shared apartments, and homestays; costs differ by city and province. Public transportation works well in urban areas, and many cities offer student discounts for it. Healthcare coverage is required; some provinces include international students in their public health plans, but others need private insurance. Canada’s cities, natural scenery, and diverse communities offer chances for recreation, networking, and personal growth. The academic focus, support services, and living standards make studying in Canada worthwhile.

 

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis is a top immigration and visa consultancy that helps students, professionals, and families reach their goals abroad. Y-Axis gives specialized help and complete services to make studying, working, or living abroad easier.

Our services include:

• Guidance on studying abroad and choosing courses.
• Help with applying to top universities around the world.
• Support for student visa applications and paperwork.
• Advice on scholarships and financial planning.
• Y-Axis Coaching Services to help you ace the tests.