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Canada or Australia: Which is Better for Indian Students?
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Canada vs Australia for Indian Students: Which is Better?

Canada vs Australia for Indian Students: Which is Better?

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Detailed comparison of studying in Canada vs. Australia for Indian students. Learn about costs, universities, job opportunities, and cultural experiences

Diwakar Kumar Singh
Diwakar Kumar Singh
Updated on:  24 Oct 2025  | Reviewed By:  Aman  | 7.48K | 14  min read

There used to be a time when most Indian students aimed at going to universities in the US and the UK. However, now the situation is changing, and the credit goes to governments of other countries for making pro-immigrant policies, faster visa processing, equally good educational opportunities, and other factors that have made this shift possible.

But lately, there has been a growing debate between Canada vs. Australia among Indian Students for higher studies. Let us start with the overview and then we will explore more comparisons.

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Overview of Canada vs Australia for Higher Studies

Canada and Australia are top destinations for international students, known for their high academic standards and multicultural environments. While Canada and Australia are both English-speaking countries but there are certain comparisons that you must understand before arriving at a final verdict. Let us compare both countries on various factors.

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Education System: Canada vs. Australia

Let us first compare the education system in both the countries:

Aspect Canada Australia

Governing Body

Provincial/Territorial Governments

Australian Government

Education Levels

Primary, Secondary, and Post-secondary (Colleges and Universities)

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary (Vocational Education and Training, Universities)

Qualifications Framework

No unified national framework; varies by province

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

Language of Instruction

English and French (in certain regions)

English

Academic Year

September to April/May

February to November

Credit System

Varies by the institution; generally semester-based credits

Credit points system aligned with AQF levels

 

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Top Universities in Canada and Australia

Both countries boast universities that are globally recognized. Here are some top institutions in both the countries:

Canada QS World University Ranking 2025 Australia

University of Toronto

13

University of Melbourne

McGill University

18

University of Sydney

University of British Columbia

19

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

University of Alberta

30

Australian National University (ANU)

University of Waterloo

37

Monash University

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Top Courses: Canada vs. Australia

Let us compare the popular courses among Indian students in Canada and Australia:

Field of Study Canada Australia

Engineering

Mechanical, Civil, Computer

Civil, Mining, Electrical

Business & Management

MBA, Finance, International Business

MBA, Accounting, Business Administration

Health Sciences

Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health

Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy

Information Technology

Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity

Information Systems, Software Engineering, Data Analytics

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development

Environmental Management, Marine Biology

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Eligibility Criteria: Canada vs. Australia

The eligibility criteria vary by course and institution. Here is the comparison:

Criteria Canada Australia

Undergraduate

Completion of 12 years of schooling

Completion of 12 years of schooling.

IELTS required

Yes, 6.5 overall, no band less than 6.0

Yes, 6.5 overall, no band less than 6.0

TOEFL required

Yes, 90+

Yes, 79+

Postgraduate

Relevant bachelor's degree.

Relevant bachelor's degree

 

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Tuition Fees: Canada vs. Australia

Tuition fees depend on the course and institution. Please note that these tuition fees are annual and are approximate:

Program Canada (USD) Australia (USD)

Undergraduate

USD 7,500 - USD 22,500

USD 10,000 - USD 23,000

Postgraduate

USD 11,000 - USD 26,000

USD 14,000 - USD 27,000

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Student Visa: Canada vs. Australia

Let us compare visa requirements for international students for both countries:

Aspect Canada Australia

Visa Type

Study Permit

Student Visa (subclass 500)

Work Rights

Up to 20 hours per week during semesters. Full-time during breaks.

Up to 48 hours per fortnight during semesters. Full-time during breaks

Post-Study Work Permit

Up to 3 years, depending on the program length

2 to 4 years, depending on qualification

Processing Time

Approximately 4 to 8 weeks

Approximately 4 to 6 weeks

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Scholarships: Canada vs. Australia

Let us compare scholarships of both countries to international students:

Scholarship Country Eligibility

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Canada

High academic achievement in doctoral programs

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Canada

Graduate students in Ontario with excellent academic records

Australia Awards Scholarships

Australia

Students from participating countries pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate programs

Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards

Australia

High-achieving international students for postgraduate study

Read more about: 

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Job Opportunities

As you must know, Australia and Canada are among the most preferred countries where students can have a world-class education and job opportunities. So let us explore Australia vs. Canada job opportunities.

Australia:

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    Australia is known to provide world-class job opportunities to graduates from university. The universities in Australia curate their academics in a way that makes students industry-ready. 
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    Australia allows students to apply for a post-study work visa, which helps students in getting work opportunities after completion of the course. 
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    Australia has the world's top business hubs where fresh graduates are given a chance to work at the world's biggest organizations. 
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    The universities in Australia also offer students campus placement, and that's something that attracts students from across the globe.
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     In Australia, the most high-paying jobs are for professionals in engineering, hospitality, nursing, medicine, finance, and law. Other sectors also have bright prospects, but these are the high-paid ones.

Canada:

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    Canada is home to some of the biggest corporations in the world. Canada's business ecosystem is well-developed to accommodate fresh graduates into high-paying jobs. 
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    The universities in Canada also collaborate with private players to ensure campus placement for students. 
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    Canada's Post Graduation Work Program enables fresh graduates to work for durations equal to the duration of their course. 
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    It gives students a much-needed impetus to work, and one can even get a visa for extended employment. 
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    Canada's PR policy is also conducive when compared to Australia, and it's much easier to get PR in Canada. 
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    Another benefit of Canada's PGWP is that it lets you work in any field, irrespective of your area of study.
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    In Canada, the most high-paying jobs are in engineering, nursing, media, teaching, industrial design, metallurgy and more. Other sectors, too, have brighter prospects because Canada is in North America and shares a border with the US.
 

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Cost Of Living and Studying

Cost of living is yet another factor that students from India or, for that matter, any other country takes into account when choosing a country for higher education. The cost of living in a developed country is way more than that of India, and thus students have to assess the cost of living in their expenses. So let us understand the cost of living in Australia and Canada to help you choose between these two countries.

Australia:

Cost of Studying (in AUD per annum):

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    For Undergraduate students: USD 15000 to USD 35000
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    For Postgraduate students: USD 20,000 to USD 39,000
 

Cost Of Living (in AUD per annum):

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    Approximately USD 25000
 

Although the cost of studying and living is high in Australia, there are some factors that students must consider before concluding the above-mentioned fees and cost of living. The cost of studying varies from one course to another. Courses like MBA, Law, and Engineering are costlier than others. But the cost of living usually depends on your lifestyle and the city where your university is located.

Canada:

Cost of Studying (in CAD per annum):

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    For Undergraduate Students: USD 10,000 to USD 30,000

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