More and more prospective students are choosing to study abroad, as foreign education opens the way to new knowledge, experience and can be a good start for building a career. Find out which country, Canada or Australia, will be the best choice for international students in 2025

Canada and Australia are among the top five places to study for international students, with Australia offering a wider range of top-ranked universities, while Canada is most often chosen for its fast processing of visa applications.

Another significant advantage is that work permits after studying in these countries are a reason to stay in each of the countries. And although both Canada and Australia have been actively working on changes to their migration policies throughout 2024, these two countries still remain the most attractive destinations for international applicants.

The CIC news team has analyzed the main differences between the countries, which will help you make the right choice. We tell you.

Differences between the procedures for obtaining a residence permit after completing your studies in Canada and Australia

- Paths to obtaining a permanent residence permit:

You can obtain a permanent residence permit in Canada based on a wide range of professions, although positions from the priority list have priority. In Australia, obtaining permanent residence through the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) largely depends on whether your profession is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Canada also has a separate program for issuing a permanent residence permit based on national work experience: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), while Australia does not have such a program.

- Is it allowed to work on a student visa?

In Canada, students can work on campus for an unlimited number of hours. In Australia, restrictions have been approved for work on campus outside of it.

- The right to obtain a residence permit after completing studies

In Canada, graduates of colleges and other vocational institutions who have professions in demand are entitled to postgraduate work. In Australia, there are no restrictions. Any graduate is entitled to obtain a residence permit after completing their studies.

General differences between studying at universities in Canada and Australia

In addition to the differences in the procedure for obtaining a residence permit after completing your studies, learn about the main organizational features of studying in each country:

- The average cost of studying at universities in Canada is from 29,000 CAD to 81,000 CAD (from 20,640 to 57,650 USD), in Australia – 26,500 AUD to 113,000 AUD (from 17,200 to 73,400 USD).

- The cost of obtaining a study permit in Canada is 150 CAD (107 USD), in Australia – 1,600 AUD (1,000 USD).

- Time required to obtain a study permit: in Canada approximately 3 months, in Australia approximately 61 days.

- Duration of work during study: In Canada, international students can work 24 hours a week off-campus and unlimited time on campus and during vacations. In Australia, 48 hours every 2 weeks during classes and unlimited during vacations.

- Maximum duration of postgraduate study: PGWP in Canada - up to three years, temporary postgraduate visa in Australia - 2-3 years.

- Popular migration programs for international students: Provincial Nominee Program Canadian Experience Class (PNP) in Canada, in Australia - skilled independent visa, skilled work, regional visa.

World-class educational institutions

Each country is home to world-renowned educational institutions. In particular, the QS World University Rankings for 2025 among the top 100 places includes:

Canada – University of Toronto – 25th place, McGill University – 29th place, University of British Columbia – 38th place and University of Alberta – 96th place.

Australia – University of Melbourne – 13th place, University of Sydney – 18th place, University of New South Wales – 19th place, Australian National University – 30th place, Monash University – 37th place, University of Queensland – 40th place, University of Western Australia – 77th place, University of Adelaide – 82nd place and University of Technology Sydney – 88th place.

Features of obtaining a study permit

Canada and Australia generally have similar requirements for obtaining a study permit. However, in Canada, the cost of applying for a study permit and lower financial support requirements are lower. This country also requires a Provincial Accreditation Letter (PAL).

Australia has lower language testing requirements, but does require health insurance. The country has also introduced a student authenticity requirement in 2024 – applicants will be asked a series of questions in their online student visa application form. The aim of this is to ensure that their intentions to study in Australia are genuine.

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You can get advice on education abroad on the Visit World portal. Our lawyers can answer all your questions about the current rules for admission to certain educational institutions, as well as help with the preparation of documents for admission and study abroad. To order a specialist consultation, follow this link.

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How many students are Australian and Canadian institutions planning to admit next year?

Canada and Australia have restrictions on the admission of international students.

In August 2024, the Australian government announced a National Planning Level (NPL) to limit the growth of international student programs, starting January 1, 2025. The total number of international students per academic year has been reduced to 270,000.

Canada plans to admit about 305,900 international students each in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Postgraduate Work Permit

Both Canada and Australia offer international graduate students the opportunity to obtain legal status to work in each country after graduation.

However, there are important differences between the options for obtaining post-graduate work status in Canada and Australia:

- In Australia, applicants must be under 35 years of age (with some exceptions). In Canada, there is no age limit.

- For college or vocational graduates, Canada restricts eligibility to programs that are in-demand occupations.

Important! Under new rules announced in September 2024, graduates of international vocational programs applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada must meet additional field of study requirements. This field of study restriction does not apply to graduates of a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD.

Pathways to Permanent Residency for International Students

While both countries offer PR pathways, there are some key differences.

Australia requires applicants to be under 45 years of age (with some exceptions) to qualify for a Skilled Independent Visa, while Canada has no age limit.

Canada gives significant priority to those with Canadian work experience and qualifications. Australia relies primarily on a list of skilled occupations that focus on specific industries.

- Work Permit Programs in Canada

1. Express Entry is an online system for managing applications for skilled worker immigration to Canada. A popular category for international students is the Canadian Experienced Class (CEC). Applicants must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada (full-time or equivalent part-time employment) within the last 3 years.

2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Through the PNP, Canadian provinces and territories nominate individuals for PR based on regional needs. Applicants can apply through the PNP if they have a job offer or skills that match the province’s requirements. Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination, increasing their chances in the Express Entry system or through the direct PNP pathway.

- Work Permit Programs in Australia

The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a points-based visa for skilled workers that is scored on factors such as age, education, work experience, and English language proficiency.

Applicants must have a trade on the Skilled Trades List and have their qualifications assessed by an Australian authority before applying. Additional points are awarded for Australian degrees and local work experience, giving an advantage to international graduates.

Which countries are the most popular destinations for students to study in Australia and Canada?

Canada and Australia are popular destinations for international students, with the following countries being the most popular destinations for international students:

- Many citizens of Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea and Benin study in Canada.

- Many citizens of Cameroon, Uganda, Algeria and Zimbabwe study in Australia.

Regardless of which of these two countries you choose to move to, each country is a promising destination for international students.

Remember! Choosing the perfect place to study abroad can have a significant impact on your academic and personal growth. We’ve already told you which cities QS has named the best for international students in 2025.

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