Are you having trouble deciding which to immigrate to Canada or Australia? There’s no absolute answer to which country has greener pastures for us since each person has different needs, goals, and other critical factors.

Canada is preferable for young students and workers looking for broader opportunities and efficient PR status waiting time. Meanwhile, Australia is a go-to for people with work experience and skills who prefer shorter working hours.

But how did we come up with this conclusion? Our research compared different factors, including job opportunities, cost of education, cost of living, lifestyle, etc. So, read on!

Permanent Residence (PR) Process: Canada vs. Australia

Although Canada has a faster PR processing rate, the competition for its residency exam (Canada Express Entry System), with a passing score of 67, sends nearly 110,000 invitations annually.

In fact, Canada gave out invitations to apply (ITA) for PR status to 98,038 immigrants in 2022.

On the other hand, Australia only hands out PR invitations to around 48,000 people annually, amounting only to 43.64% of Canada’s yearly invitations. 

Australia’s PR exam is the Point System, with a passing score of 65 points.

However, passing the exam is only one of the many criteria for getting a PR visa in the two countries. We’ve listed these factors below.

Overall, Canada is a preferable choice for young immigrants. However, getting a PR without a sponsorship from a relative or family member (e.g., spouse, common-law partner, child or grandchild) would be a bit difficult.

Meanwhile, Australia is a safe bet for middle-aged migrants and those whose work experience falls under its ROL, MTSSL, and STSOL. Butcher, cabler, and registered nurse, are some of the many occupations under the said category that it updates yearly.

Education: Canada vs. Australia

Aside from undergraduate courses, both Canada and Australia offer different education levels for foreigners. Below is a breakdown of the annual cost of studying in other education levels in the two countries.

Canada and Australia have varying education costs depending on the education level, which would play a huge role when choosing between the two. Nevertheless, both countries have programs that give students a chance to have PR status.

Canada has two major PR programs for immigrant students who passed its Express System. These are the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Both Express Entry programs are for skilled workers. The CEC program is for those with work experience in the country, while the PNP is for immigrants hoping to stay in a specific province.

On the other hand, Australia provides PR visas to immigrants through Post-Study Work Visas (PSWV). Under certain conditions, bachelor graduates can get two to three years of student visa, while postgraduate students can benefit for up to four years.

Regardless, immigrants can enjoy exemplary learning in both Canada and Australia. Both countries made it to the 2023 World Population Review’s global education rankings, the former ranking fourth and the latter ranking eighth.

Job Opportunities: Canada vs. Australia

To further explain their current job markets as of 2023, we listed the top 10 in-demand jobs in Canada and Australia. 

In a nutshell, Canada needs immigrants with a grasp on tech, e-commerce, and supply chains. Meanwhile, Australia needs skilled workers.

Both Canada and Australia provide several pathways for immigrants to get PR. Choosing between the two and which province or region you will go to depends on the person’s skills and goals.

We’ve made a list of the programs in the two countries that immigrant workers can apply for to get grant PR status.

Meanwhile, Australia has fewer working hours per week than Canada, which is vital in creating a proper work-life balance. A full-time worker in the former labours for 31 hours per week, while it’s 40 hours in the latter.

Lastly, Australia has a higher average weekly salary than Canada, with the former at 1,789 AUD per week and the latter at 1,132 CAD per week—a 519 CAD difference. Still, it’s important to note that pay grades vary in different industries.

Taxation: Canada vs. Australia

On the flip side, living in Australia is more expensive than in Canada. The former is the 13th most expensive country to live in with a cost of living index (COLI) of 75.3, while the latter got the 25th spot, with a COLI of 66.1 based on Numbeo’s rankings.

COLI is calculated based on several economic factors. To provide a clear comparison, we’ve listed these aspects below.

Healthcare: Canada vs. Australia

Although both countries are known for their excellent healthcare, Australians live longer than Canadians. According to the World Population Review of 2023, Australia has an average life expectancy of 83.73 for both sexes, while Canada has 83.02.

Meanwhile, Canada and Australia provide healthcare to their public through Medicare, including immigrants with PR. However, it is worth noting that the former is known for having long wait times, with its peak in 2022 reaching 27.4 weeks.

It’s also worth noting that Australia encourages its high-earning citizens to apply for private insurance to avoid waiting times and improve its public facilities. It also employs bulk billing that charges a patient’s Medicare directly.

Weather: Canada vs. Australia

Canada is known for its cold winters, with average temperatures ranging from -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F). Meanwhile, in summer, the temperature averages 21°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).

In contrast, Australian cities have different weather experiences. For instance, Sydney and Melbourne enjoy mild winters with average temperatures around 6.5°C to 14°C (43.7 to 57.6°F) and hot summers with averages of 14°C to 25.3°C (57.2°F to 77.5°F).

Meanwhile, Australia’s northern city of Darwin experiences a tropical climate with hot, humid conditions year-round and average temperatures around 24.7°C – 32°C (76.5°F – 89.6°F).

Population Diversity: Canada vs. Australia

The main reason why Canada has more overseas residents than Australia is because of its immigration program that aims to address labour shortage. By 2025, it aims to welcome 500,000 immigrants.

Still, Canada and Australia have a vibrant multicultural population. Below is the list of top places of birth for immigrants in the two countries based on the 2021 data of Statistics Canada and Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.

Mode of Transportation: Canada vs. Australia

Although traveling in most Canadian cities is challenging, WalkScore brands Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Burnaby as walk, transit, and bike friendly. Below is the complete scores of the said cities in each category.

On the other hand, WalkScore considers the city of Sydney as walkable. Other large cities with the highest scores, which are around 40 to 57, are considered car-dependent, wherein most errands require transportation.

Still, Canada and Australia, known for the large geographical size of their countries, rely heavily on domestic air travel for long-distance connections.

Crime Rate: Canada vs. Australia

The Global Peace Index Score is based on the “state of peace” in three domains:(1) level of societal safety and security, (2) extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and (3) degree of militarization.

Another factor that makes Canada safe and welcoming is its effective law enforcement, strict gun control laws, and community-oriented policing approach. It also emphasizes crime prevention, such as conducting programs on substance abuse reduction.

Although Canada and Australia have a slight score difference, both countries are safer to live in and have a relatively lower crime rate(How Safe is Canada For Students?) than other countries around the globe.

Lifestyle for Immigrants: Canada vs. Australia

Australia has a better work-life balance than Canada, according to Remote. Although the former (73.1) has a 5.19 higher index score than the latter (67.91), they are both in the world’s top 10 (4th and 9th in the ranking, respectively).

Ice hockey is a well-known sport in Canada and is played year-round at every level. Other popular activities in the country, such as skiing, snowmobiling (What Are The Best Places To Snowmobile In Canada), and dog-sledding, center around its cold and icy landscape.

Hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and other outdoor activities (Best Outdoors Activities In Canada) are also popular hobbies in Canada. It’s unsurprising, considering it’s famous for its stunning mountains and national parks.

With countless lakes, rivers, and wilderness, Canada is a paradise for paddlers. Rent a canoe or kayak and explore the serene waters surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of Lake Louise (Alberta), Churchill River (Manitoba), among others.

Australia, known for its breathtaking natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle, offers a range of unique hobbies and activities. One popular pursuit is snorkeling or diving in the Great Barrier Reef, where you can explore the world’s largest coral reef system.

Also, embracing the outback through activities like camel trekking or experiencing Aboriginal culture and art in the Northern Territory are quintessential Australian experiences.

Celebrations in Canada vs Australia

In Canada, festivals often revolve around the country’s history and national identity, with events like Canada Day celebrating the founding of the nation. 

Meanwhile, Australia’s major celebrations frequently center around its diverse cultural heritage, such as Australia Day, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and acknowledges the country’s Indigenous cultures.

Assimilation is one of the things that immigrants do to adapt to the new culture and social behaviours. We’ve listed down the celebrations unique to Canada and Australia that are popular year-round.

Final Thoughts

As a whole, living in Canada and Australia has its own pros and cons. Deciding which one of the two is better depends on your goals and lifestyle preferences.

To sum up, here are our choices on which country is better based on our talking points above.