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Australia vs Canada for Indian Students: Visa Fees, Proof of Funds, Work Hours and Post-Study Permits

Australia and Canada compete for the same Indian students: graduates looking for a master's, open work afterwards and a route to residence. Canada costs less to enter; Australia pays more while you study and guarantees Indian citizens a three-year post-study visa after any master's of two years.

Leonid Kurza, co-founder of EdumappleBy Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked

  • A$2,500Australian student visa
  • CAD 150Canadian study permit
  • 48 h / fortnightAustralia term-time work
  • 24 h / weekCanada term-time work

Head to head

AustraliaCanada
Student visaA$2,500CAD 150 plus CAD 85 biometrics
Living fundsA$29,710 for 12 monthsCAD 23,448 a year (one person, outside Quebec)
Term-time work48 hours a fortnight24 hours a week off campus
Post-study work485: 2–4 years for IndiansPGWP up to 3 years
Post-study feeA$5,750Work permit CAD 155 plus open work permit holder fee CAD 100

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  • Courses your marks and degree qualify for
  • Tuition and the visa living funds, counted in rupees
  • GS answers, visa timing and your 485 plan
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The Australian side in rupees

The Australian visa costs ₹1.7 lakh (A$2,500) and the living-funds figure is ₹20 lakh (A$29,710); add a year of tuition, typically ₹30 lakh (A$45,000) for a master's at a technology university, and the first-year sum to show is about ₹52 lakh.

Where each one fits

Australia suits students who want a fixed post-study period guaranteed by treaty, high casual wages and a regional option that adds years and points. Canada suits students who want lower entry costs and a residence system that strongly rewards Canadian work experience. In both countries, the course choice and the city decide most of the outcome; see Australian universities and PR pathways in Australia.

Questions from Indian students: Australia vs Canada

Is Australia or Canada better for Indian students?
Canada is cheaper to enter and its permanent residence system rewards Canadian work experience; Australia pays higher wages and gives Indian master's graduates a three-year 485 by treaty, with extra years for regional study. Choose by course and city, then by the post-study rules.
How much money do I need to show for Canada and Australia?
Canada: CAD 23,448 a year for one person outside Quebec (applications from 1 September 2026), plus first-year tuition and travel. Australia: A$29,710 for twelve months plus first-year tuition and A$2,000 travel.
How long can I work after graduation in each?
Canada's PGWP lasts up to three years for programmes of two years or more, and three years after a master's of at least eight months. Australia's 485 for Indian citizens is two years after a bachelor's, three after a master's and four after a PhD.
Which allows more work during studies?
Australia's limit is 48 hours a fortnight in session; Canada's is 24 hours a week off campus. Both allow unlimited hours in scheduled breaks.
Do both need a language test for post-study work?
Yes. Australia's 485 needs IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each band; most Canadian PGWP applicants have had to submit language results since 1 November 2024.

Sources we checked