Recepta

Canada vs Australia for study: which student visa suits you?

Quick answer. Canada and Australia are the two most popular study destinations from Punjab. Canada uses a study permit (regular stream, since SDS closed in 2024) and asks a single applicant to show CAD $22,895 in funds; Australia uses the Subclass 500 visa and asks for AUD $29,710 a year in living costs. Australia accepts IELTS and PTE equally; both offer post-study work. Your best fit depends on cost, course and career plans.

Side by side

The headline differences (always verify current figures on the official sites):

CanadaAustralia
Student visaStudy permit (regular stream; SDS closed Nov 2024)Subclass 500 student visa
Funds to show (single applicant)CAD $22,895 (Sept 2025), plus tuition + travelAUD $29,710/year (2026), plus tuition + travel
English testsIELTS widely used; PTE also acceptedIELTS and PTE accepted equally
Post-study workPost-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for eligible gradsTemporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)
RegulatorIRCCDepartment of Home Affairs

How to decide

There is no single right answer. Weigh the total cost (tuition plus the fund requirement), whether your target course and university are stronger in one country, the post-study work rights, and where you would want to settle. Whichever you choose, the visa figures and rules change yearly, so plan against the official sources — and if an agent helps you, verify their Punjab licence first.

Frequently asked questions

Is Canada or Australia cheaper to study in?
It depends on the course and city. The minimum funds you must show differ — CAD $22,895 for Canada versus AUD $29,710 per year for Australia (single applicant, recent figures) — but tuition and living costs vary widely. Compare the specific programmes you are considering, using current official figures.

Sources

Related guides: Studying in Canada from Punjab: a step-by-step overview · Studying in Australia from Punjab: a step-by-step overview · What IELTS score do you need for Canada, Australia and the UK?

Find licensed help: Immigration & visa consultants · Document checklist

Reviewed against official government sources; figures that change (fees, fund thresholds) are dated and linked — always verify at the source. — Recepta Editorial.

Search the register · All guides

Last updated: 2026-07-13