CanadavsAustraliafor Students
Live 2026 data · Tuition, rent, visa, salaries, PR pathways & more
Canada
64
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,618
Salary/mo
$2,941
Australia
58
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,503
Salary/mo
$3,268
For Students
Study in Canada and Australia: Which is Better for International Students?
This guide compares Canada vs Australia on tuition fees, student visa requirements, part-time work allowances, post-study work visas, and cost of living for students — using 2026 data.
"Canada: Your Faster Track to Permanent Residency, Australia: Higher Earning Potential"
Canada wins
Canada offers a significantly faster PR pathway of 2 years compared to Australia's 4 years, coupled with a longer post-study work visa of 36 months versus Australia's 24 months, making it more appealing for long-term settlement goals.
Canada provides a clear advantage for long-term settlement with a 36-month post-study work visa and a 2-year PR pathway, half the time of Australia's 4-year path.
Australia offers superior earning opportunities, with average net salaries of $3268/mo and student part-time wages of $15.18/hr, both higher than Canada's $2941/mo and $12.17/hr respectively.
Tuition costs are very similar, with Canada being marginally cheaper at $22059/yr versus Australia's $22876/yr.
Despite Canada's lower overall Cost of Living Index, its rent for a 1-bed city apartment is higher than Australia's, potentially impacting student budgets more directly.
Choose Canada if your primary goal is a faster and more direct path to permanent residency and long-term settlement, leveraging its 36-month post-study visa and 2-year PR pathway. Opt for Australia if maximizing immediate earning potential, especially through student part-time work and higher average salaries, is your priority, despite a longer PR timeline.
Students GoScore Ranking
GoScore 0-100 · Weights: affordability, PR pathway, safety, career & quality of life
Student Cost Comparison
Public university tuition / year
Monthly student budget
Part-time wage / hour
Student visa fee
Post-study work visa
IELTS band required
Safety index
Student visa fee
Work permit fee
Post-study work visa (months)
PR pathway (years)
IELTS band required
Quick Verdict — 2026
Canada wins for students on GoScore (64 vs 58). A 2-year master's degree costs $81,824 in Australia — 1% cheaper than Canada.
Canada wins for working professionals with a higher GoScore for careers (68 vs 65). After rent and basic expenses, professionals in Australia retain $1,320/month — $534/month more than in Canada.
Canada is stronger for permanent residence (GoScore 73 vs 72). PR takes ~2 years in Canada vs ~4 years in Australia.
Canada vs Australia: Complete Cost & Immigration Analysis 2026
Total Cost of a 2-Year Master's Degree
For a 2-year master's programme, the total cost of attendance (tuition + living) in Canada is approximately $82,950 — comprising $44,118 in public university tuition and $38,832 in living costs over 24 months. In Australia, the equivalent is $81,824 ($45,752 tuition + $36,072 living). Australia is 1% cheaper on total cost of attendance, saving $1,126 over the degree.
Can You Cover Rent With Part-Time Work?
In Canada, the minimum part-time wage is $12/hour. Working 20 hours/week, a student earns $974/month — enough to cover 78% of rent outside the city centre. In Australia, the same 20 hours/week at $15/hour earns $1,214/month — covering 109% of rent.
Real Monthly Savings After Living Expenses
After deducting rent (1-bed outside city), groceries, transport, and utilities, a professional in Canada retains approximately $786/month from an average net salary of $2,941. In Australia, the figure is $1,320/month from $3,268. Over 5 years, this gap compounds to $32,040 in additional savings. For tech professionals, the gap is even wider: $5,515/month in Canada vs $5,556/month in Australia.
Permanent Residency Timeline
Canada has a PR pathway of approximately 2 years. Australia's pathway takes approximately 4 years. Canada grants a 36-month post-study work visa, giving graduates time to find skilled employment before applying for PR. Australia offers 24 months. The student visa fee is $110 in Canada and $464 in Australia.
IELTS Score Required
To study or work in Canada, most visa categories require a minimum IELTS band of 6.0. Australia requires 6.0. Take a free IELTS mock test on mockDe to see exactly where you stand before applying.
| Metric | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇦🇺 Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Public university tuition / yr | $22,059 | $22,876 |
| Monthly student budget | $1,618 | $1,503 |
| Part-time wage / hr | $12.17 | $15.18 |
| Student visa fee | $110 | $464 |
| Post-study work visa | 36 months | 24 months |
| PR pathway | 2 years | 4 years |
| IELTS band required | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Indian community | Large | Large |
| Safety index | 62 / 100 | 63 / 100 |
| Student hall / month | $1,103 | $980 |
Canada vs Australia for International Students: In-Depth 2026 Guide
University System & Tuition Fees
International students in Canada pay an average of $22,059/year at public universities, compared to $22,876/year in Australia. Canada's significantly lower public tuition makes it more accessible for Indian students on tight scholarships or education loans. Private institutions cost $29,412/yr in Canada and $29,412/yr in Australia. On-campus student accommodation runs $1,103/month in Canada and $980/month in Australia — budget for this before calculating loan amounts.
Part-Time Work & Student Earnings
Part-time work is a critical lever for Indian students managing living costs without full family support. In Canada, the student part-time wage is $12/hour. At 20 hours/week, that is $974/month — covering 60% of the average monthly student budget. In Australia, the rate is $15/hour, or $1,214/month — covering 81% of the student budget. Australia's higher hourly rate gives students a stronger monthly buffer against living expenses.
Post-Study Work Visa & PR Pathway
The study-to-PR pipeline is a primary driver for Indian students choosing between these countries. After graduating, Canada offers a 36-month post-study work visa, giving graduates time to find skilled employment and accumulate points or employer sponsorship for PR. PR typically takes 2 years from arrival. In Australia, the post-study work visa runs 24 months with a 4-year PR pathway. Canada's longer post-study work visa gives Indian graduates more runway to secure sponsorship or meet points thresholds before needing to leave.
Indian Student Community & Cultural Fit
Community and cultural familiarity directly affect academic performance and mental well-being.Canada has a large Indian diaspora — meaning established student support networks, Indian grocery stores, temples, and social groups.Australia has a large Indian community. English proficiency among the general public is native in Canada and native in Australia, affecting how easily you can communicate outside academic settings, find housing, and navigate daily life. The climate in Canada is cold, while Australia is temperate — a practical consideration for students from tropical or semi-arid Indian regions.
IELTS Requirement & English Language Entry
Canada requires a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.0 for most student visa categories.Australia requires 6.0.Individual universities often require higher bands (6.5 or 7.0 for competitive programmes) — check admission requirements for your specific course. Use mockDe's free full-length IELTS mock test to benchmark your current score across all four skills before applying.
Fascinating Facts: Canada & Australia
Understanding a country beyond spreadsheets — unique facts about each destination that shape the experience of living and working there.
🇨🇦 Canada
- 1.
Canada accepts over 500,000 permanent residents per year — the highest per-capita immigration rate in the G7.
Source: IRCC 2023
- 2.
The Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) can last up to 3 years for 2-year programme graduates — among the world's most generous post-study work rights.
Source: IRCC
- 3.
Over 1.8 million people of Indian origin call Canada home, making it the largest South Asian diaspora hub after the UK.
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
- 4.
Express Entry CRS draws regularly invite candidates scoring under 480 points — a 1-year Canadian work experience can make PR achievable in under 3 years.
Source: IRCC 2024
- 5.
Canada has 26 universities in the global top 500, including Toronto, McGill, and UBC — all ranked in the world's top 50.
Source: QS 2025
🇦🇺 Australia
- 1.
Australia's national minimum wage of AUD $23.23/hour is the highest in the world for a major economy.
Source: Fair Work Commission 2024
- 2.
International students can work unlimited hours in Australia — a rule made permanent in 2023 after a post-COVID pilot.
Source: Department of Home Affairs 2023
- 3.
8 Australian universities rank in the global top 100, including ANU (#30), Melbourne (#33), and Sydney (#42).
Source: QS World Rankings 2025
- 4.
The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows graduates to stay 2–5 years to gain skilled work experience before applying for PR.
Source: Department of Home Affairs 2024
- 5.
Over 800,000 Indians live in Australia — the fastest-growing migrant community, doubling in size between 2011 and 2021.
Source: ABS Census 2021
Popular Comparisons
Ready to take the next step?
You'll need IELTS to study in any of these countries. Take a free full-length mock test to know exactly where you stand.
Data Sources
Editorial
Compiled by mockDe Editorial Team
Verified by IELTS-certified advisors with study-abroad counselling experience.
Freshness
Data reflects 2026 benchmarks.
Last reviewed June 2026.
AI verdict cached permanently; regenerated on data change.
All figures in USD. AI insights by Gemini Pro. Values are indicative — verify official sources before making relocation decisions.