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We cannot compare them on the basis of perceived superiority because they are both terrific places to live with excellent multicultural environments, high living standards, and outstanding quality of life.
This information will assist you in deciding between Canada and Australia as the best option. In order to achieve this, we focus on key elements of each nation, including its standard of living, cost of living, employment prospects, and wages.
Comparing living in Australia and Canada
It’s challenging to decide between Australia and Canada because both are great places to live. Living in each, though, has both benefits and drawbacks. We’ll appraise:
Advantages and Disadvantages of living in Australia
Advantages of living in Australia
- You will find a lovely climate and weather in Australia.
- The environment of Australia is Family-Friendly and provides kids a lot of opportunity.
- Excellent career prospects
- Thriving economy
- Culturally diverse society
- The top universities worldwide
- Excellent medical services
- Several lovely beaches
- wonderful outdoor lifestyle
- superior health care
- multiple wild creatures and more than 500 national parks
Disadvantages of living in Australia
- The cost of living in this country is high.
- Costs for housing, construction, and real estate are expensive.
- A work permit takes some time to obtain.
- Insurance for your own health costs a lot.
- Taxes will be very high for you.
- People who struggle with language are those who speak English poorly.
Canada’s advantages and disadvantages as a place to live
Advantages of living in Canada
- An effective workforce.
- The cost of education is low.
- Having plenty of environmental assets.
- The crime rate is low.
- Superior medical treatment.
- Having outstanding social programs.
- Both locals and visitors can feel secure there.
- A wonderful cosmopolitan society that welcomes newcomers.
- The most popular cities have high living expenses.
Disadvantages of living in Canada
- High levels of government control.
- Home prices are high.
- The Cost of Living in a City is high.
- Unpleasant Conditions of weather.
- Costly Medical care.
- You will have to pay high taxes.
- Traveling between cities might be difficult.
- The process of immigration is difficult.
- Exchange rate that is unfavorable.
Similarities between living in Australia and Canada
These countries, despite their differences, offer many of the same benefits to people wishing to relocate:
- The cost of living is high in both countries.
- Having a post-study residence permit allows students to remain after they finish their education.
- For those prepared to put forth the effort, there are growth opportunities
- Both countries have superior facilities and quality of treatment.
- Immigrants-welcoming to foreign nationals.
- Environmental context, globally
- outstanding social security
- Heavy salaries come with high taxes.
Life quality in Australia and Canada
The criteria for quality of life are extremely high in both Australia and Canada. But there are numerous varieties.
A quick comparison between Canada and Australia
| Canada | Australia |
| Having a Simple PR system | more money for skilled workers |
| Adaptable immigration laws for professionals | Having access to New Zealand |
| positive labor market | Public education |
| Ideal family environments | structured immigration process |
| Living cost is low | Stronger economy |
| Low interest rate | Lower PR score than Canada |
Weather
Depending on the region, Canada’s wintertime lows might reach 0°C or even below. Australia, in contrast, experiences nice summers and warm winters with never-below-zero temperatures.
If you like the cold, Canada is the place to reside, while Australia is the greatest location if you don’t.
Education
In Canada, there are four stages of education: elementary, secondary, pre-elementary, and post-secondary. Universities in Canada offer degree programs such as doctorates, master’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees; colleges mostly offer vocational training programs, diplomas, and certificates.
Australia offers basic, secondary, and tertiary education at three different levels. It complies with the standards specified by the AQF’s 10 levels, which are as follows:
Level
Program
1-4 Certification programs
5 Diploma Courses
6 Advanced degrees and associate’s degrees
7 Degree of Bachelor’s
8 Diplomas, graduate certificates, and bachelor’s honors degrees
9 Degree of Masters’s
10 Ph.D. degrees
The annual cost of studying in Canada for an immigrant range from 2,000 to 30,000 CAD. You could spend between AUD 20,000 and AUD 37,000 for an undergraduate or graduate degree in Australia due to the higher cost of education there.
There are government scholarships available for local and international students in both countries. It takes a while to apply for and receive a response to a scholarship for a foreign applicant, so it’s best to do so well in advance of when you want to begin your studies.
Immigration
Immigration is complicated by legislation in both Australia and Canada. But obtaining a visa for Canada is less difficult than obtaining one for Australia. Before purchasing a one-way ticket and leaving, be sure you have a work permit in your home country if you intend to work in either country.
The following table compares the immigration regulations in Australia and Canada:
| Factors | Canadian Immigration | Australian Immigration | Additional Details |
| Job Opportunities | High | High | – |
| Entire Process Period | In six months, eighty percent of applicants | 75% of candidates in eight months | may change in some circumstances |
| Total Demand List | 300 employments | 200 employments | – |
| Citizen Benefits | yes | yes | Free healthcare facilities, social security benefits, and education are all examples. |
| Visa Expenses | CAD 1325 | AUD 4,100 | – |
| Family Status | Available | Available | The primary candidate can move away with their dependents. |
| Visa Validity | 5 years | 5 years | – |
Housing
Australian housing costs are higher than Canadian ones. While a similar one-bedroom apartment in Canada costs US$887.68, a one-bedroom apartment in a downtown neighborhood can cost as much as US$1,058.57 in Australia. For utilities including gas, electricity, and water, Canada is 25% less expensive than Australia.
Healthcare
In Canada, access to primary healthcare is free and provided by Medicare. Medicare eligibility requires that you have health insurance. In general, Canada’s healthcare system is affordable and kind. Study up on Canadian medical care.
All permanent residents of Australia have access to Medicare, which is a comprehensive healthcare system. To pay for expensive dental and specialized care that Medicare does not cover, many Australians instead choose to use private health insurance.
Becoming a citizen
Applying for citizenship in Canada is possible after three years as a canada permanent resident. Nevertheless, you need to submit your tax returns and pass the citizenship exam.
You become eligible to petition for citizenship in Australia after three to four years of physical habitation as a permanent or temporary resident. To be qualified, you might additionally need to provide proof of employment.
Language
Since English is the official language in Australia, doing business, adjusting, and communicating won’t be a problem for English speakers. The official languages of Canada, however, are English and French. There are 59 percent English speakers, 23 percent French speakers, and 18 percent speakers of other languages in the nation.
To reside in some provinces, you must speak French well.
Security
According to research, Canada has a lower crime rate than the United States, with 46.01 crimes committed for every 100,000 residents compared to 39.03 crimes committed for every 100,000 residents in the United States.
Australia is ranked 63 while Canada is 73 in the Global Terrorism Rankings. With only 1.7 instances per 100,000 residents, rape is a rare crime in Canada compared to Australia’s 28.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. Rape has become a major global crime.
Cost of living in Australia and Canada
According to the World Bank, Australia’s cost of living is 17.7% more than Canada’s. Despite its high incomes, Australia has some of the highest household expenses worldwide. The cost of living in Canada will be higher than in Australia:
- Less in the transportation sector by 24.2%
- Extra grocery spending of 2.6 %
- Transportation costs fell by 11.4%.
- Less in housing by 11.2 %
- In childcare by 37.0% less.
- Fewer clothing, 18.9% less
Canada
In Canada, a single person needs between CA$1,650 and CA$2,500 per month, and a family needs CA$5,158. In Canada, the average household spends about $7,400 annually, which includes $1,600 for housing, 188 for schooling, 730 for food, 1,030 for private transportation, and 1,300 for taxes.
In Canada, the average cost of raising a family varies by locality, province, and city. Some areas, like Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, can have a relatively low cost of living compared to major cities like Toronto.
The following is an illustration of some of your monthly costs if you decide to reside in Toronto:
- The cost of Housing is CA$2000
- The cost of Insurance is CA$52
- The cost of Internet and phone is CA$127
- The cost of groceries is CA$383
- The cost of transportation is CA$176.25
In Toronto, the cost of the public transportation system is quite high ($145/month), although the cost of leisure and amusement is quite low ($500/month).
The following Canadian cities have some of the highest rents:
- Victoria
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Calgary
- Hamilton-Burlington
Australia
Australian prices rank as the 16th highest in the world, per Rabobank. Following Sydney in terms of cost of living are Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra.
In Australia, a household’s typical monthly spending amounts to AU$8,000 or AU$2,200 a week. This estimate accounts for house loans or rent, which come in at an average of AU$600 a week. Next in line are meals out, which come in at AU$400, and groceries, which come in at AU$200.
You will need to budget roughly AU$220 per month to keep a small 85m2 apartment (electricity, gas, and water). For a typical household, the annual cost of living in Australia is around AU$100,000.
The following chart displays the monthly average cost of living in Australia and Canada, respectively:
| Commodity | Canada (Canadian dollars) | Australia (Australian dollars) |
| House Rent – 1 to 3 bedrooms | 1,300 – 2,000 | 1,700 – 2,700 |
| Pre-School fees | 952 | 1,800 |
| Grocery | 376 | 371 |
| Phone and Internet | 127 | 120 |
| Public Transport (monthly) | 95 | 150 |
| Fundamental Utilities | 149 | 207 |
| Fuel Cost | 1.25 | 1.48 |
| Fitness Club | 49 | 65 |
Job opportunities in Canada and Australia
There are many fascinating work options in both Canada and Australia for both citizens and visitors.
Among the 33 OECD nations, Australia was rated 20th in terms of the nations with the lowest unemployment rates. Its rate is 5.2% compared to the OECD average of 5.6% is lower. By 2021, it has fallen to a still-relatively low 7.43 in Canada.
Canada
With over 41,500 IT enterprises, Canada is the ideal location for IT professionals. The manufacturing, communication, service, and real estate industries are also expanding quickly.
The majority of foreigners prefer to work in Toronto; however, the best career prospects can be found in northern regions like Nunavut and Saskatchewan, which is more western-like. The highest demand and employment rates for skilled foreign employees may be found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba when compared to big areas like Montreal and Toronto.
In those industries where there is a shortage of trained labor, skilled experts from abroad are in a strong position to get employment (Migration Occupation in Demand List) MODL. However, if you have experience in one of the following fields, you will find employment in Australia very quickly.
For young individuals who want to spend some time in the country, farm work, fruit harvesting, and seasonal work are some of the most common jobs.
Additionally, there are lots of jobs available in those regions with strong labor demand, including:
- Administration and secretarial jobs
- Construction
- Food service
- Architecture
- Hospitality
Salaries in Canada and Australia
Due to a large number of white-collar occupations there, employers in Australia tend to pay greater wages than those in Canada. Affluent blue-collar jobs in Canada’s economy include those in mining, agriculture, and trades. Though the cheaper cost of living more than makes up for it, these jobs pay more reasonably.
Canada
In Canada, $15 is the highest hourly minimum wage. Canadian dollars amount to $1,106 on a weekly basis on average. Each year, every worker is entitled to two weeks of paid vacation.
Some of the highest-paying positions in Canada are listed below, along with information about them:
| In-Demand Jobs | Average Salary |
| Merchandiser | CA$48,610 |
| Sales Associate | CA$50,255 |
| Project Manager | CA$90,000 |
| Business Development Manager | CA$85,000 |
| Receptionist | CA31,304 |
| Web Developer | CA$62,522 |
| Heavy-Duty Mechanic | CA$70,000 |
| Driver | CA$44,836 |
| Welder | CD$40,927 |
| General Laborer | CA$29,250 |
Australia
The highest hourly minimum wage in Australia is AU$19.84. The required superannuation rate in Australia is 9.5%, and it helps to cover your retirement expenses. With the inclusion of this percentage, the minimum wage rises to nearly AU$22 per hour.
In Australia, you have the right to 10 days of paid sick leave and a 20-day minimum yearly paid leave as an employee.
Here are some of the highest-paying positions available in Australia, together with their salaries:
| In-Demand Jobs | Average Salary |
| Construction Manager | AU$91,084 |
| Electrician | AU$82,875 |
| Software & Applications Programmer | AU$70,365 |
| Motor Mechanic | AU$65,466 |
| Management Consultant | AU$67,274 |
| Mechanical & Production Engineer | AU$107,369 |
| University Lecturer | AU$120,956 |
| Resident Medical Officer and General Practitioner | AU$83,000 |
| Civil Engineering Professional | AU$50,798 |
| Registered Nurse | AU$56,000 |
Australian and Canadian taxes
Canada
In Canada, the federal tax rate is:
- 15% of the first CA$45,916 or more in income
- On the following CA$60,447 of taxable income (on income between CA$142,353 and CA$202,800), the tax rate is 29 percent.
- 20.5 percent on the anticipated taxable income of CA$45,915 (applicable to taxable income between CA$45,916 and CA$91,831)
- If your taxable income is between CA$91,831 and CA$142,353, you will pay 26 percent on the next CA$50,522 of taxable income and
- 33 percent on the first CA$202,800 of taxable income.
Here is an overview of how to pay your taxes if you are single, childless, and make a gross annual salary of CA$87,552:
- $12,368 in federal taxes
- Cost of CPP/EI premiums: $4,056
- Province-level tax: $6,248
- Taxes totaled 22,672 CA$
- Net Salary: $64,880 Canadian
- 21.33% is the average tax rate
- The tax rate at the margin: 31.48 %
Australia
Australia has a lower corporate tax rate of 23.6%, however, when your income increases, your tax burden will also increase. Even though foreigners do not have a no-tax threshold and are excused from paying taxes if their income is less than AU$18,200, this rule does not apply to them.
In the table below, the Australian income tax rate for 2020–21 and 2024–25 is shown:
| Taxable income (Australian dollars) | Tax rate | Range (Australian dollars) | Total tax rate (Australian dollars) |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 19% for amounts more than $18,200 | $18,201 – $45,000 | 19% for amounts more than $18,200 |
| $120,001 – $180,000 | $29,467 + 37% for amounts more than $120,000 | ||
| $45,001 – $120,000 | $5,092 + 32.5% for more than $45,000 | $45,001 – $200,000 | $5,092 + 30% for amounts more than $45,000 |
| $180,001 and over | $51,667 + 45% for amounts over $180,000 | $200,001 and over | $51,592 + 45% for amounts over $200,000 |
| $0 – $18,200 | 0% | $0 – $18,200 | 0% |
