Canada and Australia are the two destinations international students most often weigh against each other: both are English-speaking, both offer respected universities, generous work rights and a recognised path from study to permanent residence. But in 2024 and 2025 both governments tightened their student systems sharply — caps, higher money thresholds, steeper fees and stricter genuineness tests — and they did it in different ways. The country that was “easier” two years ago may not be the cheaper or faster route for you today.
This guide compares the two on the things that actually decide where you apply in 2026: the visa and its requirements, the money you must show, what you can earn while studying, and what happens after you graduate. It is preparation guidance, not legal or migration advice — always confirm the current rules on the official government source before you commit.
The quick comparison (2026)
| 🇨🇦 Canada (Study Permit) | 🇦🇺 Australia (Subclass 500) | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | CAD 150 (+ CAD 85 biometrics) | AUD 2,000 (from 1 July 2025) |
| Living-cost funds (single) | ~CAD 20,635/yr + tuition + travel | AUD 29,710/yr |
| English (typical) | IELTS 6.0–6.5 (program-set) | IELTS 6.0 overall |
| Genuineness test | Purpose of study + ties | Genuine Student (GS) requirement |
| Work while studying | 24 hrs/week off-campus in term | 48 hrs/fortnight in term |
| Post-study work | PGWP, 8 months–3 years | Subclass 485, ~2–3 years |
| National intake cap | Yes (study-permit cap + PAL) | No formal cap (managed by directives) |
The application fee and money you must show
On upfront cost, Canada is far cheaper to apply for. A study permit costs CAD 150 plus CAD 85 biometrics. Australia’s subclass 500 charge jumped to AUD 2,000 per applicant from 1 July 2025 — one of the highest student-visa fees in the world, and a real consideration if you are bringing a partner (another AUD 2,000) or children.
The bigger number, though, is proof of funds. Australia now requires a single student to show AUD 29,710 in available living costs for 12 months, on top of tuition and travel. Canada’s living-cost threshold for a single applicant outside Quebec is lower — around CAD 20,635 for the year — but it is reviewed annually and you must still show first-year tuition and travel on top. Because exchange rates and the official figures move, treat both numbers as “confirm before you apply.” Our proof-of-funds guide explains how to evidence the money so it counts (genuine, traceable, and held long enough).
The visa process: caps vs. genuineness
The two systems gate students differently.
Canada introduced a national study-permit cap in 2024 and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) that most applicants must include to prove their place counts against a province’s allocation. For 2026, master’s and doctoral applicants at public institutions are generally exempt from the PAL/TAL, but the cap and the higher funds requirement remain. The practical effect: places at capped levels can be harder to secure, and you should confirm your institution can issue a PAL before you pay deposits.
Australia uses no public numerical cap but leans on the Genuine Student (GS) requirement — a set of questions about why you chose your course, your ties home, and how the qualification fits your career. It replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant test and is heavily scrutinised. You must also enrol in a CRICOS-registered course, hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay, and meet an English standard of IELTS 6.0 (taken in person — at-home tests are not accepted). See our Australia subclass 500 document checklist and the Canada study permit checklist for the exact evidence each side wants.
Working while you study
Both countries let full-time students work part-time, and the limits are now close. Canada allows up to 24 hours per week of off-campus work during term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. Australia caps work at 48 hours per fortnight in term (effectively the same ~24 hours a week) with unlimited hours during course breaks. Going over the limit is one of the fastest ways to lose a student visa in either country — the rules and their traps are covered in our guide to working on a student visa.
After graduation: PGWP vs. the 485
This is where many students actually decide, because the goal is often to stay and work.
Canada — Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Length is tied to your program: roughly 8 months up to 3 years, with most master’s graduates eligible for a 3-year permit regardless of program length. Since late 2024, degree-level graduates must meet a language standard (CLB 7), and some non-degree programs face field-of-study eligibility checks — so confirm your specific program leads to a PGWP before you enrol.
Australia — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). Higher-education graduates typically get 2–3 years of post-study work. But two 2024–2026 changes matter: the age limit dropped to 35 (from 1 July 2024), so older applicants may be excluded, and the 485 application charge rose to AUD 4,600 from 1 March 2026. Australia has also restricted “visa hopping,” so you generally cannot switch from a visitor or graduate visa to a student visa onshore.
The road to permanent residence
Both countries run skilled, points-tested immigration — and study plus local work experience helps in each. Canada’s Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs reward Canadian credentials and skilled work experience (a strong PGWP record is valuable). Australia’s skilled migration is also points-based, with state nomination and occupation lists shaping who is invited. Neither route is automatic, and selection thresholds shift with policy — but in both, a graduate who works in-country on a PGWP/485 is in a materially stronger position than an offshore applicant.
So which should you choose?
There is no universal winner — it depends on your profile:
- Lower upfront cost and a master’s plan: Canada is cheaper to apply for and its automatic 3-year PGWP for master’s graduates is hard to beat. Weigh the cap/PAL risk for your level and province.
- You’re over 35 or want maximum flexibility: Canada’s PGWP has no age limit; Australia’s 485 now caps at 35.
- You value a no-cap system and warm-climate study: Australia avoids a hard intake cap, but budget for the AUD 2,000 visa fee, higher funds, and the steeper 485 later.
- Either way: the genuineness test (GS in Australia, purpose-of-study in Canada) is now decisive — a vague “why this course” answer sinks otherwise strong applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canada or Australia cheaper for international students? On the visa itself, Canada — CAD 150 vs AUD 2,000. On funds you must show, Canada’s living threshold is currently lower, but tuition and living costs vary widely by city and program, so compare your actual offer letters.
Which gives a longer post-study work visa? For master’s graduates, Canada’s 3-year PGWP usually wins. For bachelor’s graduates the two are similar (2–3 years). Australia’s 485 now has a 35-year age limit that Canada’s PGWP does not.
Can I bring my family? Both allow eligible dependants, but each adds significant funds and fees — Australia’s per-applicant AUD 2,000 charge and higher financial thresholds add up fast. Check the current dependant rules, which have tightened in both countries.
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Sources: IRCC (study-permit financial requirements, PGWP rules), Study Australia and the Department of Home Affairs (subclass 500 and subclass 485 requirements and charges). Figures change with policy and exchange rates — always confirm the current numbers on the official government sites before you apply.