Canada vs Australia Immigration: Which is better Australia or Canada
When considering immigration to a new country, you’ve probably considered a few potential locations. Why not compare your options before choosing a location?
There is no doubt that immigration systems play a major role in deciding where to immigrate. Our team has done the research for you. Canada is a great country for immigrants, but Australia is also a popular destination. Check out our comparison of immigration programs between Canada and Australia before making any decisions.
Skilled Worker Programs – Overview
Are you torn between living in Australia (known as Down Under) or Canada’s Great North White? Let’s take a look at two popular immigration programs – Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and Australia’s Skilled Independent program (subclass 189).
Both target skilled immigrants and do not require any previous connection to the country in terms of work, education, or job offers. This allows highly qualified workers from any country to apply.
The ultimate result of both programs is permanent resident status, granting holders freedom of entry and exit as well as a clear pathway to citizenship. Additionally, both programs use points-based systems for eligibility and selection. We’ve compared these systems below for your convenience.
Considering living in Australia or Canada? Let’s start by comparing two popular immigration programs: Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and Australia’s Skilled Independent program (subclass 189).
Both programs target skilled workers from any country, without requiring a previous connection to the country through work experience, education, or job offers. This makes them ideal options for highly qualified individuals looking to immigrate.
The end result of both programs is permanent resident status, which allows for easy travel and a clear path to citizenship. Additionally, both programs use points-based systems for eligibility and selection. See below for a comparison of these points systems.
Basic Requirements for Immigration
Applicants for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker program must have a minimum of one year of full-time, skilled work experience in order to qualify. The National Occupational Classification TEER level 0, 1, 2 or 3 is defined as skilled work experience in Canada.
In the same vein, Australia’s Skilled Independent program mandates that applicants demonstrate their qualifications for one of the program’s approved occupations. Australian immigration provides a list of all eligible occupations for the program called the Skilled Independent Occupations List.
To qualify, candidates must consult with the designated Assessing Authority listed on the inventory to obtain confirmation of their ability to practice the chosen profession in Australia. Failing to adhere to these guidelines or choosing an occupation not included on the list will result in ineligibility for the program.
Points System Comparison
In both programs, candidates for immigration are assessed using points-assessment grids. The grids give points for factors such as age, language proficiency, work experience, education, and other characteristics. To be eligible for the Canadian program, you must score 67 out of 100, while to be eligible for the Australian program, you must score 60 out of 135.
| Factor | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Points per Factor | ||
| Age | 30 | 12 |
| Language Proficiency | 20 | 28 |
| Foreign Work Experience | 15 | 15 |
| In-Country Work Experience | 20 | 10 |
| Education | 25 | 25 |
| Other Factors | 20 | 10 |
| Passing Score | 60 | 67 |
It is possible to submit your interest in the program if you meet the minimum points requirement. Please note that meeting the minimum points requirements for either country does not guarantee you will be able to immigrate. It is only the first step in the application process to meet the minimum points requirement.
Application Procedures
Canada
Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is contained within the Express Entry immigration system, which manages immigration applications electronically. An Express Entry profile must be created through the Express Entry online immigration web portal by candidates who meet the 67 points first.
In Express Entry, the candidate indicates that he or she is interested in Canadian immigration by filling out an Expression of Interest (EOI).
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is assigned to candidates once they create their Express Entry profile. Note: The CRS score is a scoring system out of 1200 points, completely separate from the eligibility points grid discussed above. If a candidate does not get selected within 12 months after creating an Express Entry profile, they must resubmit it.
An express entry draw is conducted by the Canadian government about every two weeks, inviting candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. If an applicant is successful, they receive permanent resident status for themselves, along with all accompanying family members who were included on the application.
Australia
Like Canada’s Express Entry system, the Australian Skilled Independent Visa application process is similar. The first step is to submit a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) by candidates who meet the minimum of 60 points. Australia does not have a secondary points system, and rather uses its eligibility grid to rank candidates.
A SkillSelect EOI is valid for up to 2 years. If multiple candidates have the same ranking score, the candidate whose profile was submitted earlier will be prioritized. Invitations are issued about twice a month by Australian immigration. If a SkillSelect EOI is not invited within 2 years, it will expire.
The Australian Independent Skills Program determines occupation ceilings each year. Each eligible occupation has a maximum quota, and if that quota is met, no more professionals in that occupation will be invited until next year.
The applicant has 60 days to submit an official application for Australian permanent residence after receiving an invitation. The applicant and any accompanying family members (including their partner and children) receive permanent residency if they are successful.
Canada vs Australia Immigration Processing Times & Cost
Immigration processing time and cost are both advantages for Canada.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program of Canada charges a total fee of $1365 CAD per adult applicant, plus an additional $230 CAD per child. However, Express Entry applicants should be aware of other costs they may incur during the application process.
For the principal applicant, the Independent Skills program costs $3800 CAD, plus an additional $2330 CAD for a spouse or partner, as well as $960 CAD for each child. Australians should expect additional costs for documentation, postage, etc., as with Canadians.
As part of its Express Entry program, Canada aims to process 80% of all applications within six months of receipt. Approximately 75% of applications are processed within eight months of receiving them, according to the Independent Skills program. Although processing times can fluctuate for both countries, it is recommended to check current processing times when applying.
Other Im!migration Options
As stated at the beginning of the article, both of these programs are ideal for high-skilled workers without a connection to either Canada or Australia. A worker may have additional options if they have a connection to the country, such as having completed their studies there or having a job offer there.
A program within Express Entry run by Canada, for example, is the Canadian Experience Class, which prioritizes foreign nationals who have worked in Canada for at least 12 months. A number of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in Canada also select candidates with some sort of regional connection.
Australia also offers several immigration programs to skilled workers with connections to the country. Employer-nominated visas, regional visas, and special skill visas are available.
