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Where Should I Immigrate: Canada vs. Australia

Published on: September 26th, 2023

By: Indira Duarte

If you’re thinking about immigrating to a new country, it’s likely that you’ve considered a few possibilities for where you want to move. Why wouldn’t you compare your options before picking a location to start a new life?

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One big factor in deciding where to immigrate, is the immigration system itself. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you. Canada is a great country, especially for immigrants, but another popular destination is Australia.

Before you make any decisions, take a look at our comparison of immigration programs between Canada vs Australia, and determine which immigration program gives you better options!

Skilled Worker Programs - Overview

So, you’re trying to decide whether you should live Down Under, or in the Great North White? Well, first let’s compare two popular immigration programs: Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and Australia’s Skilled Independent program (subclass 189).

Both of these programs target new immigrants with skilled work experience. As well, neither of the programs require applicants to have a connection to the country in terms of work experience, educational experience, or a job offer. This means that these two immigration programs are excellent choices for highly qualified skilled workers from any country, regardless of whether or not they have any relation to the country to which they wish to immigrate.

The end result of both of these programs is permanent resident status. It allows holders to enter and exit the country as often as they’d like and provides a clear pathway to citizenship in the country.

Similarly, both of these programs utilize points-based systems to determine eligibility and to select applicants. We’ve taken the time to compare these points systems below.

Basic Requirements for Immigration

Those who are familiar with Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker program will know that the program requires candidates to have at least 1 year of full-time, skilled work experience. Canada defines skilled work experience as any job at National Occupational Classification TEER level 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Similarly, Australia’s Skilled Independent program requires candidates to prove that they are qualified to work in one of the program’s eligible occupations. Australian immigration maintains a Skilled Independent Occupations List indicating all of the program’s eligible occupations. In order to be eligible, a candidate must consult with the proper Assessing Authority (included on the list) to receive proof that they are eligible to practice that profession in Australia. If an occupation is not on the list, or if an applicant has not consulted with the Assessing Authority, then they are not eligible for this program.

Eligible Occupations - Australian Skilled Independent Visa

Medium and Longterm Strategic Skills List
Item	Occupation	Assessing Authority
1	construction project manager	VETASSESS
2	engineering manager	(a) Engineers Australia; or (b) AIM
3	child care centre manager	TRA
4	nursing clinical director	ANMAC
5	primary health organisation manager	VETASSESS
6	welfare centre manager	ACWA
7	accountant (general)	(a) CPAA; or (b) CAANZ; or (c) IPA
8	management accountant	(a) CPAA; or (b) IPA; or (c) CAANZ
9	taxation accountant	(a) CPAA; or (b) IPA; or (c) CAANZ
10	external auditor	(a) CPAA; or (b) IPA; or (c) CAANZ
11	internal auditor	VETASSESS
12	actuary	VETASSESS
13	land economist	VETASSESS
14	valuer	VETASSESS
15	management consultant	VETASSESS
16	architect	AACA
17	landscape architect	VETASSESS
18	surveyor	SSSI
19	cartographer	VETASSESS
20	other spatial scientist	VETASSESS
21	chemical engineer	Engineers Australia
22	materials engineer	Engineers Australia
23	civil engineer	Engineers Australia
24	geotechnical engineer	Engineers Australia
25	quantity surveyor	AIQS
26	structural engineer	Engineers Australia
27	transport engineer	Engineers Australia
28	electrical engineer	Engineers Australia
29	electronics engineer	Engineers Australia
30	industrial engineer	Engineers Australia
31	mechanical engineer	Engineers Australia
32	production or plant engineer	Engineers Australia
33	aeronautical engineer	Engineers Australia
34	agricultural engineer	Engineers Australia
35	biomedical engineer	Engineers Australia
36	engineering technologist	Engineers Australia
37	environmental engineer	Engineers Australia
38	naval architect	Engineers Australia
39	agricultural consultant	VETASSESS
40	agricultural scientist	VETASSESS
41	forester	VETASSESS
42	medical laboratory scientist	AIMS
43	veterinarian	AVBC
44	physicist (medical physicist only)	ACPSEM
45	early childhood (pre‑primary school) teacher	AITSL
46	secondary school teacher	AITSL
47	special needs teacher	AITSL
48	teacher of the hearing impaired	AITSL
49	teacher of the sight impaired	AITSL
50	special education teachers (nec)	AITSL
51	medical diagnostic radiographer	ASMIRT
52	medical radiation therapist	ASMIRT
53	nuclear medicine technologist	ANZSNM
54	sonographer	ASMIRT
55	optometrist	OCANZ
56	orthotist or prosthetist	AOPA
57	chiropractor	CCEA
58	osteopath	AOAC
59	occupational therapist	OTC
60	physiotherapist	APC
61	podiatrist	(a) APodA; or (b) ANZPAC
62	audiologist	VETASSESS
63	speech pathologist	SPA
64	general practitioner	MedBA
65	specialist physician (general medicine)	MedBA
66	cardiologist	MedBA
67	clinical haematologist	MedBA
68	medical oncologist	MedBA
69	endocrinologist	MedBA
70	gastroenterologist	MedBA
71	intensive care specialist	MedBA
72	neurologist	MedBA
73	paediatrician	MedBA
74	renal medicine specialist	MedBA
75	rheumatologist	MedBA
76	thoracic medicine specialist	MedBA
77	specialist physicians (nec)	MedBA
78	psychiatrist	MedBA
79	surgeon (general)	MedBA
80	cardiothoracic surgeon	MedBA
81	neurosurgeon	MedBA
82	orthopaedic surgeon	MedBA
83	otorhinolaryngologist	MedBA
84	paediatric surgeon	MedBA
85	plastic and reconstructive surgeon	MedBA
86	urologist	MedBA
87	vascular surgeon	MedBA
88	dermatologist	MedBA
89	emergency medicine specialist	MedBA
90	obstetrician and gynaecologist	MedBA
91	ophthalmologist	MedBA
92	pathologist	MedBA
93	diagnostic and interventional radiologist	MedBA
94	radiation oncologist	MedBA
95	medical practitioners (nec)	MedBA
96	midwife	ANMAC
97	nurse practitioner	ANMAC
98	registered nurse (aged care)	ANMAC
99	registered nurse (child and family health)	ANMAC
100	registered nurse (community health)	ANMAC
101	registered nurse (critical care and emergency)	ANMAC
102	registered nurse (developmental disability)	ANMAC
103	registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation)	ANMAC
104	registered nurse (medical)	ANMAC
105	registered nurse (medical practice)	ANMAC
106	registered nurse (mental health)	ANMAC
107	registered nurse (perioperative)	ANMAC
108	registered nurse (surgical)	ANMAC
109	registered nurse (paediatrics)	ANMAC
110	registered nurses (nec)	ANMAC
111	ICT business analyst	ACS
112	systems analyst	ACS
113	analyst programmer	ACS
114	developer programmer	ACS
115	software engineer	ACS
116	ICT security specialist	ACS
117	computer network and systems engineer	ACS
118	telecommunications engineer	Engineers Australia
119	telecommunications network engineer	Engineers Australia
120	barrister	a legal admissions authority of a State or Territory
121	solicitor	a legal admissions authority of a State or Territory
122	clinical psychologist	APS
123	educational psychologist	APS
124	organisational psychologist	APS
125	psychologists (nec)	APS
126	social worker	AASW
127	civil engineering draftsperson	(a) Engineers Australia; or (b) VETASSESS
128	civil engineering technician	VETASSESS
129	electrical engineering draftsperson	Engineers Australia
130	electrical engineering technician	TRA
131	radio communications technician	TRA
132	telecommunications field engineer	Engineers Australia
133	telecommunications network planner	Engineers Australia
134	telecommunications technical officer or technologist	Engineers Australia
135	automotive electrician	TRA
136	motor mechanic (general)	TRA
137	diesel motor mechanic	TRA
138	motorcycle mechanic	TRA
139	small engine mechanic	TRA
140	sheetmetal trades worker	TRA
141	metal fabricator	TRA
142	pressure welder	TRA
143	welder (first class)	TRA
144	fitter (general)	TRA
145	fitter and turner	TRA
146	fitter‑welder	TRA
147	metal machinist (first class)	TRA
148	locksmith	TRA
149	panelbeater	TRA
150	bricklayer	TRA
151	stonemason	TRA
152	carpenter and joiner	TRA
153	carpenter	TRA
154	joiner	TRA
155	painting trades worker	TRA
156	glazier	TRA
157	fibrous plasterer	TRA
158	solid plasterer	TRA
159	wall and floor tiler	TRA
160	plumber (general)	TRA
161	airconditioning and mechanical services plumber	TRA
162	drainer	TRA
163	gasfitter	TRA
164	roof plumber	TRA
165	electrician (general)	TRA
166	electrician (special class)	TRA
167	lift mechanic	TRA
168	airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic	TRA
169	technical cable jointer	TRA
170	electronic equipment trades worker	TRA
171	electronic instrument trades worker (general)	TRA
172	electronic instrument trades worker (special class)	TRA
173	chef	TRA
174	cabinetmaker	TRA
175	boat builder and repairer	TRA
176	shipwright	TRA

Points System Comparison

Both programs utilize points-assessment grids to determine eligibility of candidates for immigration. The grids assign points for age, language proficiency, work experience, education, and other unique factors. In Canada, you must score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 in order to be eligible, while Australia’s program requires a minimum of 60 points 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

If you meet the minimum points requirement, you are eligible to submit your interest in the program. However, please bear in mind that for both countries simply meeting the minimum points requirement does not guarantee that you will be able to immigrate. Meeting the minimum points is only the first step in the application procedure.

Application Procedures

Canada

Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is contained within the Express Entry immigration system, which manages immigration applications electronically. Through Express Entry, candidates who meet the 67 points first must create an Express Entry profile through the online immigration web portal. The Express Entry profile acts as an Expression of Interest (EOI), indicating that the candidate is interested in Canadian immigration.

Once a candidate creates their Express Entry profile, they are assigned a score, called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Note: The CRS score is a scoring system out of 1200 points, completely separate from the eligibility points grid we discussed above. An Express Entry profile remains valid for up to 12 months, if the profile is not selected within 12 months the candidate must resubmit.

Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts an Express Entry draw, inviting the candidates in the pool with the highest CRS scores to submit official applications for permanent residence. If an applicant is successful, they receive permanent resident status for themselves, and all accompanying family members who were included on the application.

Australia

The application procedure for the Australian Skilled Independent Visa program is similar to Canada’s Express Entry system. First, candidates who meet the minimum of 60 points must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using Australia’s online system: SkillSelect. Unlike Canada, Australia does not have a secondary points system, and simply uses its eligibility grid to rank candidates against one another.

Australian immigration issues invitations approximately twice per month. Candidates with the highest ranking EOIs will be invited to apply. If multiple candidates have the same ranking score, the candidate whose profile was submitted earlier will be prioritized. SkillSelect EOIs are valid for up to 2 years. If an EOI is not invited within 2 years, it will expire.

It should be noted that the Australian Independent Skills program determines occupation ceilings each year. Each eligible occupation is given a maximum quota and if that quota is met then no other professionals in that occupation will be invited until the next year.

After receiving an invitation, an applicant is given 60 days to submit an official application for Australian permanent residence. If the applicant is successful, they receive permanent resident status for themselves and any accompanying family members (including partner and children).

Canada vs Australia Immigration Processing Times & Cost

Canada demonstrates an advantage in terms of both processing time and cost of immigration.

Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker program charges total fees of $1365 CAD per adult applicant, plus an additional $230 per child. Though, applicants to Express Entry programs should be aware of the various other costs they can expect during the immigration process.

Australia’s Independent Skills program costs $3800 CAD for the principal applicant, plus an additional $2330 CAD for a spouse or partner, and $960 CAD per child. As with Canadian immigration, Australian applicants should expect a range of other costs for documentation, postage, etc.

Canada’s Express Entry system boasts a speedy processing time and aims to process 80% of all applications within 6 months of receipt. Australia’s Independent Skills program states that 75% of applications are processed within 8 months of receipt. Though processing times can fluctuate for both countries and its recommend to check current processing times when thinking of applying.

Other Immigration 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. If a worker has a connection to the country, perhaps they completed their studies in Canada or they have a job offer in Australia, then they may have additional options.

Canada, for example, also manages the Canadian Experience Class, another program within Express Entry which prioritizes foreign nationals with at least 12 months of work experience in Canada. As well, Canada has a host of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) which often select candidates who have some sort of regional connection.

As well, Australia operates several immigration programs for skilled workers with connections to the country. There are visas available to those with an employer nomination, to those from certain regions, and for those with special skills.

If you would like to learn more about your own eligibility for Canadian immigration, simply complete our free online assessment. One of our experts will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options!

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