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Canada or Australia: Which is Better for Indian Students in 2024?

Updated on 01 February, 2024

Kanika Pruthi

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Generally, students wonder about Canada or Australia, which is a better study abroad destination. As Indian and other international students highly prefer both these countries for their superlative educational systems, public amenities, and high quality of life, it’s difficult to choose one for higher education. Yet, there are several parameters that students can carefully assess before making any final decision. 

 

Canada or Australia: Which is Better for Students? Key Highlights

The Australia vs. Canada debate has been ongoing among students keen on pursuing higher education in either of these two countries. Coming to the core question, which is better Australia or Canada? Here are some key aspects that you can note in this regard. 

FactorsAustraliaCanada
Language of instructionEnglishEnglish, French
Average cost of studyAUD 20,000 – AUD 45,000/ yearCAD 25,000/ year 
Average cost of livingAUD 18,000/yearCAD 15,000/ year 
Exams requiredIELTS Exam/TOEFL/PTE Exam and GMAT/GRE TestIELTS/TOEFL Exam/PTE and GMAT/GRE
IntakesThree intakes in a year – Semester/Trimester 1, Semester/Trimester 2, Semester/Trimester 3Three intakes in a year – Fall, Spring, and Summer
Funding sourcesScholarships, aids, and part-time jobsPart-time jobs, scholarships, bursaries, grants, fellowships
Types of degreesDiploma (level 5), Associate Degree/Assistant Degree (level 6), Bachelors (level 7), Bachelors Honors (Level 8), Masters (level 9), Doctorate (level 10)Associate Degree, Undergraduate Degree, Graduate Degree, Doctorate Degree
Top coursesComputer Science and IT, Engineering and Management, Business and Management, Medicines, Health and Science, Law, Arts and Design, Accounting, Education and TeachingComputer Science and IT Engineering, MBA, Business and Finance, Media and Journalism
Best student citiesSydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, BrisbaneToronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Quebec, Calgary, Waterloo

Register for Study in Canada FREE Course

The Canada hosts the largest number of international students from across the world. Over the past few years, it has become one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad. Reasons such as best-ranked institutions, excellent support facilities, flexible academic environment, and cultural diversity contribute to making it the most preferred destination amongst students planning to study abroad.

Read More: Study in Australia from India | Career Opportunities in Australia 

Canada vs. Australia for Study: Education System in Both Countries

Which country is better, Australia or Canada, from an educational perspective? We will help you find out. Canada has two types of educational systems offering high-quality education  – private and public- university and colleges. The Canadian education system offers more than 10,000 graduate and undergraduate programs across 213 public colleges and  223 public and private universities. 

On the other hand, the education system in Australia is one of the most sought-after education systems for being well-structured and rightly formulated. Thanks to the AQF or Australian Qualifications Framework that was introduced in 1995. The higher education system in Australia begins with Diploma (level 5) and Doctorate (level 10).

Study in Canada

Type of InstitutionKey points
CollegesAlso known as Institutes of Technology or Science, Community Colleges, or Colleges of Applied Arts or Applied Technology, these colleges offer training in applied fields of work.
UniversitiesMost universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs. However, some also train students to excel in applied fields of work. 

Study in Australia

Type of institutionKey points
Public universitiesA number of research institutions fall under this category, and all of them are aided by the government.
Private universitiesCater to short-duration courses.
Private CollegeOffers bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
TAFE: Technical and Further EducationFocuses on apprenticeships, vocational and work experience courses.
Institutes of Technology/ Australian Technology Network Offers courses on technology and practical education

Read More: Cost of studying in Canada for overseas students | Cost of studying in Australia

Top Universities: Australia vs. Canada for Indian students

Many popular universities in Australia and Canada excel in several aspects of teaching and research. Listed below are the top institutions in both the countries as per QS World Rankings 2023 and their average tuition fees.

Top Universities According to QS University World Rankings 2023

AustraliaCanada
UniversitiesAverage annual tuition feesUniversities Average annual tuition fees
The Australian National UniversityAUD 33,000 – AUD 50,000McGill UniversityCAD 21,000 – 56,000
The University of MelbourneAUD 30,000 -AUD 48,000 

University of Toronto



 

CAD 30,000 – 58,000
The University of SydneyAUD 30,000 – AUD 59,000University of British ColumbiaCAD 32,000 – 55,000
The University of New South WalesAUD 16,000 – AUD 40,000 University of AlbertaCAD 13,000 – 49,000 
The University of QueenslandAUD 30,000 – AUD 43,000 University of MontrealCAD 18,000 – 36,000 
Monash UniversityAUD 25,000 – AUD 37,000 McMaster UniversityCAD 25,000 – 60,000
The University of Western AustraliaAUD 23,000 – AUD 53,000 University of WaterlooCAD 30,000 – 62,000
The University of AdelaideAUD 23,000 – AUD 53,000 Western UniversityCAD 21,000 – 52,000
University of Technology SydneyAUD 20,000- AUD 37,000University of OttawaCAD 16,000 – 32,000
University of WollongongAUD 20,000- AUD 30,000University of CalgaryCAD 18,000 – 36,000

Popular Courses in Canada & Australia

In the tussle between Canada vs. Australia, it depends on the students and the courses they want to pursue. Both countries offer a host of courses in engineering, business management, and medicine, which are widely opted for by students across the globe.

Popular Courses in Australia

Popular coursesDurationAverage annual tuition fees
B.Eng Civil Engineering3 yearsAUD 35,000
BMed + MD5-6 yearsAUD 28,000
LLM 1 yearAUD 28,000
MBA 2 yearsAUD 60,000
MSc Information Technology2 yearsAUD 30,000 
MSc Data Science1-2 yearsAUD 45,000 
MSc Computer Science1.5 – 2 yearsAUD 35,000 
MA Applied Economics2 yearsAUD 25,000 

Popular Courses in Canada

Popular coursesDurationAverage annual tuition fee
BSc Nursing2-4 yearsCAD 33,000/ year 
LLM1-2 yearsCAD 20,000/ year 
MSc Nursing2 yearsCAD 44,000/ year 
MEng Aerospace and Engineering3 yearsCAD 38,000/ year
MEng Industrial Systems and Engineering2 yearsCAD 45,000/ year 
MBA1-2 yearsCAD 38,000/ year 
MSc Business Management1 yearCAD 29,000/ year 
MA Media Studies2 yearsCAD 35,000/ year 

Academic Requirements/Eligibility Criteria: Canada vs Australia

 AustraliaCanada
Undergraduate/bachelor’s degree
  • Must have completed a total of 12 consecutive years of education
  • English language proficiency requirements – IELTS/ TOEFL
  • Must have completed 12 years of schooling
  • SAT exam/ACT exam scores (if required by the university)
  • English language proficiency test – IELTS/TOEFL
Masters degree
  • Recognized bachelor’s degree of three or four years
  • Entrance exams, if any
  • GRE or GMAT Exam is necessary 
  • English language requirements – IELTS/ TOEFL for English
  • Must have completed 16 years of education (12 years schooling + 4 years undergraduate studies)
  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • English language proficiency test – IELTS/TOEFL

Academic Cycles/Intakes: Canada vs. Australia

Australia

Canada

  • Semester/Trimester 1 intake spanning from February/early March to late May/early June; with deadlines before October or November
  • Semester/Trimester 2 intake spanning from late July/early August to early September; with deadlines usually falling between April to May
  • Semester/Trimester 3 intake spanning from September to late November; with deadlines falling between September to November
  • Fall intake spans from September–December/early January; with deadlines falling between December to March
  • Winter intake from January–May; with deadlines falling between September and November
  • Summer/Spring intake running from May-August; with deadlines usually falling in February

Cost of Studying for International Students in Canada vs. Australia

In the battle between Canada or Australia, which is better, both countries compete with each other in terms of studies. One common link between the two countries is that the tuition fees for international students are more than for domestic students. The tuition fees also differ across universities and courses in both countries. Therefore, we present to you the average annual tuition fees.

Comparative Study of Cost of Study in Canada and Australia

Degree type Average annual tuition fee in CanadaAverage annual tuition fee in Australia
BachelorsCAD 8,000 – 35,000AUD 30,000 – AUD 400,000
MastersCAD 10,000 – 52,000AUD 20,000 – AUD 50,000

Living in Canada vs. Australia – Which is better? 

The cost of living in Australia and Canada for international students depends on the lifestyle of the students. Students interested to know if Australia is better than Canada in terms of living expenses can refer to the table below. 

Expenses Average cost per yearAverage cost per year
RentAUD 1,020 – AUD 5,280

On-campus accommodation: CAD 8,000

Shared Apartment Off-campus: CAD 9,000

Food and expenses incurred on dine-outAUD 960 – AUD 3,360CAD 6,000
TransportationAUD 960 – AUD 1,800CAD 1,200
Books and suppliesAUD 960 – AUD 1,800 CAD 800
Miscellaneous AUD 3,600 – AUD 6,000CAD 4,000

Canada vs. Australia – Job Opportunities in the Most Popular Sectors

Area of specialization for job opportunities in AustraliaAverage annual salaryArea of specialization for job opportunities  in CanadaAverage annual salary
HealthcareAUD 60,500HealthcareCAD 68,611
Statistics/Data ScienceAUD 1,15,000Statistics/Data ScienceCAD 87,248
IT & Computer ScienceAUD 1,22,445Chemical EngineeringCAD 75,768
Business ManagementAUD 1,10,000ManagementCAD 86,733
Education & Training $80,332Electrical & Electronics EngineeringCAD 56,794

Start Your Study Abroad Journey: Bachelors in Canada | Bachelors in Australia

Best Student Cities

AustraliaAverage cost of living per year CanadaAverage cost of living per year 
SydneyAUD 22,800 – AUD 28,800TorontoCAD 22,000
MelbourneAUD 18,000MontrealCAD 15,000
AdelaideAUD 24,000VancouverCAD 17,000
PerthAUD 16,200OttawaCAD 15,000
BrisbaneAUD 9,600QuebecCAD 20,000

Canada vs. Australia- Permanent Residency 

Canada enables applications for Permanent Residency during the period of the post-graduation work permit under the Canadian Experience Class. Since the country has a lower population, there is a shortage of skilled professionals, so getting a permanent residency is easier in Canada compared to several other countries. 

Getting a permanent residency permit in Australia is a lengthy procedure, and immigration officials usually undertake extensive background checks on aspirants to ensure they are not fraudulent. Owing to a slightly complex procedure, the PR permit may require more time for approval in this case.

Taxation in Canada and Australia

Canada has a higher average practical tax rate of 28%. Employees in Canada earn an average of $35,500 per year in take-home salary. Taxes usually make a huge difference. The annual post-tax wage is what you get.

The average practical tax rate in Australia is 23.6%. The country’s progressive tax rate ensures that higher-income earners pay more tax. The tax-free threshold is $18,200, after which the tax comes in. There is no tax-free threshold for foreign residents in Australia. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between Canada and Australia for Indian students in 2024 depends on individual preferences, career goals, and personal circumstances. Both countries offer high-quality education, diverse cultural experiences, and friendly immigration policies, making them attractive destinations for international students. Canada stands out for its inclusive society, wide range of job opportunities post-graduation, and favorable immigration policies for students seeking permanent residency. Australia, on the other hand, is renowned for its world-class universities, vibrant city life, and a climate that is more similar to India. The decision should be based on factors such as the desired field of study, cost of living, lifestyle preferences, and long-term plans. Ultimately, both Canada and Australia provide unique opportunities and environments for Indian students to grow academically and professionally, making either country an excellent choice for higher education in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which has a lower cost of living- Canada or Australia?

Canada has a lower cost of living than Australia since the latter has higher housing taxes and slightly more expensive food and other miscellaneous expenses. Canada is slightly more affordable than Australia.

Q2. What are the benefits of studying in Canada?

Canada is one of the foremost global educational tourism destinations. Canada welcomes visitors with an easier application procedure for visas and immigration policies. Student life is more fun and exciting along with offering high-quality and immersive experiences along with good job opportunities. It has almost a hundred highly accredited universities offering several courses including popular ones like Nursing, Engineering, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Data Science, and Psychology among others. Canada has sizable religious, linguistic, and ethnic diversity while students may also select bilingual courses. Global students can apply for varied scholarships and grants along with financial aid in Canada. It is ranked as one of the world’s best countries to live and work.

 

 


 

 

 

Q3. What are the benefits of studying in Australia?

Australia is one of the highly popular worldwide educational destinations for international students, courtesy of its highly rated universities and numerous courses and programs that have obtained global accreditation. Language barriers are not there in cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse Australia and there are unique specializations available for courses along with enriching student lifestyles. Australia has excellent opportunities for research and further studies with several universities actively pursuing research and encouraging skilled talents in these initiatives likewise. After-study visas are available for students who wish to work in a more diverse and top-rated work environment in Australia.

 

 


 

 

 

Q4. Which country has more job opportunities Canada or Australia?

When it comes to job opportunities in Canada or Australia, it is quite similar in both countries, with a good job culture. In Australia, the pay scale is comparatively more than in Canada but getting a job in Australia is quite difficult. On the other hand, it is important to find a decent job in Canada with good pay because there are more occupations in demand for people who have the talent and skillset.

 

 


 

 

 

Q5. Australia or Canada – which is better for immigration?

If we compare the cost of living and education in both Australia and Canada, it can be ascertained that Canada is better for immigration since it is more affordable than Australia. On the other hand, applying for PR in Canada is also comparatively easier than in Australia.

 

 


 

 

 

Q6. Which country is better for MBA – Australia or Canada?

In order to decide the best option to pursue MBA, both Australia and Canada are equally good in terms of learning and experience. However, it is important to consider factors such as course curriculum, finance, and future plans before deciding the country that would be ideal for you.

 

 


 

 

 

Q7. Which country is more expensive Canada or Australia?

When it comes to expenses, Canada is more affordable than Australia both in terms of cost of living and cost of education. Moreover, the higher housing taxes and expenses incurred on food make Australia comparatively costlier than Canada.

Q8. Canada or Australia, which is better for masters?

Both Canada and Australia are renowned for offering high-quality education to students. The discipline in which you want to pursue a master’s should determine which country to choose. If you want to study Business Management, Nursing, Engineering, Media, Hospitality, and Computer Science, then Canada is the country for you. On the other hand, if you want to pursue a master’s in fields like Information Technology, Accounting, Education, Healthcare, MBA, and Hotel Management, then you can choose Australia.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technology, payroll, and education. She has worked as a creator for a few leading companies and has also helped brands grow through her creative writing.

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