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.
Computer Science and IT, Engineering and Management, Business and Management, Medicines, Health and Science, Law, Arts and Design, Accounting, Education and Teaching
Computer Science and IT Engineering, MBA, Business and Finance, Media and Journalism
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.
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 Institution
Key points
Colleges
Also 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.
Universities
Most universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs. However, some also train students to excel in applied fields of work.
Study in Australia
Type of institution
Key points
Public universities
A number of research institutions fall under this category, and all of them are aided by the government.
Private universities
Cater to short-duration courses.
Private College
Offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
TAFE: Technical and Further Education
Focuses on apprenticeships, vocational and work experience courses.
Institutes of Technology/ Australian Technology Network
Offers courses on technology and practical education
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
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 courses
Duration
Average annual tuition fees
B.Eng Civil Engineering
3 years
AUD 35,000
BMed + MD
5-6 years
AUD 28,000
LLM
1 year
AUD 28,000
MBA
2 years
AUD 60,000
MSc Information Technology
2 years
AUD 30,000
MSc Data Science
1-2 years
AUD 45,000
MSc Computer Science
1.5 – 2 years
AUD 35,000
MA Applied Economics
2 years
AUD 25,000
Popular Courses in Canada
Popular courses
Duration
Average annual tuition fee
BSc Nursing
2-4 years
CAD 33,000/ year
LLM
1-2 years
CAD 20,000/ year
MSc Nursing
2 years
CAD 44,000/ year
MEng Aerospace and Engineering
3 years
CAD 38,000/ year
MEng Industrial Systems and Engineering
2 years
CAD 45,000/ year
MBA
1-2 years
CAD 38,000/ year
MSc Business Management
1 year
CAD 29,000/ year
MA Media Studies
2 years
CAD 35,000/ year
Academic Requirements/Eligibility Criteria: Canada vs Australia
Australia
Canada
Undergraduate/bachelor’s degree
Must have completed a total of 12 consecutive years of education
English language proficiency requirements – IELTS/ TOEFL
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 Canada
Average annual tuition fee in Australia
Bachelors
CAD 8,000 – 35,000
AUD 30,000 – AUD 400,000
Masters
CAD 10,000 – 52,000
AUD 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 year
Average cost per year
Rent
AUD 1,020 – AUD 5,280
On-campus accommodation: CAD 8,000
Shared Apartment Off-campus: CAD 9,000
Food and expenses incurred on dine-out
AUD 960 – AUD 3,360
CAD 6,000
Transportation
AUD 960 – AUD 1,800
CAD 1,200
Books and supplies
AUD 960 – AUD 1,800
CAD 800
Miscellaneous
AUD 3,600 – AUD 6,000
CAD 4,000
Canada vs. Australia – Job Opportunities in the Most Popular Sectors
Area of specialization for job opportunities in Australia
Average annual salary
Area of specialization for job opportunities in Canada
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 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.