Comparing Daily Life Expenses - Canada Vs Australia

banner image of blog title Comparing Daily Expenses in Canada and Australia

Last Updated On : June 18 , 2024

For skilled professionals and foreigners (expatriate) seeking new opportunities, Canada is preferable to Australia for a number of reasons. Canada has high demand in sectors such as banking, technology and resources. There are plenty of opportunities for career development.

Furthermore, Canada's universal health care system, diversified population, and cheaper cost of living in large cities make it a great place for people looking to relocate abroad.

Cost of Living Comparison : Canada vs Australia

Canada is generally considered slightly cheaper than Australia, particularly for everyday expenses.

Expense Category	Canada	Australia
Rent (1-bedroom apartment in city center)	$1,200 - $2,000	$1,500 - $2,500
Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water)	$100 - $300	$150 - $350
Groceries	$300 - $500	$350 - $600
Transportation (monthly pass)	$80 - $150	$100 - $200
Eating Out (meal for 2 at mid-range restaurant)	$50 - $80	$60 - $100
Entertainment (movies, sports events, etc.)	$20 - $50	$25 - $60
Clothing and Shoes	$50 - $100	$60 - $120
Healthcare (with public insurance)	Mostly covered	Mostly covered
Education (public universities)	$5,000 - $10,000 per year	$6,000 - $12,000 per year

Tax System Comparison : Canada vs Australia

Tax Type	Canada	Australia
Personal Income Tax	Federal rates: depending on income levels, 15% to 33% Federal Rates : depending on the province/territory: 5% to 25%,	primarily federal taxes Rates: 0% to 45% (according to income tiers)
Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Value Added Tax (VAT)	Federal GST: 5% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)	Federal GST: 10%
Capital Gains Tax	50% of capital gains are taxed at personal income tax rates	Capital gains are taxed at personal income tax rates (no discount)
Tax Filing	Annual tax return required for individuals and businesses	Annual tax return required for individuals and businesses

Healthcare Services For New Immigrants: Canada vs Australia

Attributes	Canada	Australia
Medical Services	Universal health protection (Health support)	Universal health coverage (Medicare)
Immigration qualifications	A candidate having Permanent resident status or in waiting PR status can receive medical benefits.	Applicants must have Permanent resident status to receive medical benefits.
Exclusions	dental, vision, and medications (restricted coverage)	Prescriptions, dental, and vision care (restricted coverage)
Wait Times	It may be lengthy, especially for experts.	may differ, possibly being shorter than in Canada

Pros and Cons of Living in Canada Vs Australia

Canada

Australia

Pros:

Excellent standard of living and quality of life.
Multicultural and accepting society.
Excellent educational system.
Universal healthcare system.
Stable economy and employment possibilities.
Vast natural beauty and outdoor pleasure.
A safe and pleasant environment.

Cons:

In certain areas, long and severe winters.
More taxes in comparison to certain other nations.
High living expenses in big cities.
Geographical expanse resulting in isolation.
Some localities face challenges with housing affordability.
comparatively long processing periods for immigration.

Pros:

A carefree and outside kind of living.
A multicultural community with a distinctive fusion of cultures.
Outstanding educational establishments.
Elevated minimum wage and superior healthcare infrastructure.
Robust economy and promising career opportunities.
Varied topography and breathtaking natural beauties.
Sunny and warm weather.

Cons:

Venomous fauna and natural risks.
High expense of life, especially in big cities.
Housing affordability issues in metropolitan regions.
Remote location and lengthy travel times.
Significant reliance on natural resources and exports.
Strict immigration policies and criteria.

Job Market For Skilled Workers: Canada vs Australia

Graph data showing jobs demand in Canada and Australia

Canada Job Market: Jobbank website

Australia Job Market: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Major Canadian cities have high rates of employment. In Canada's biggest cities, such Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, employment levels are consistently high, according to Statista.

For skilled workers, Australia has a robust labor market as well. Statista reports that employment in Australia has gradually increased in recent years, with notably high development in industries such as healthcare, professional services, and construction.

However, Canada may have a slight advantage for skilled workers. Australia's major cities have lower employment rates than those of Canada.

Professionals with the necessary skills have good possibilities in both nations, although overall, the work situation in Canada seems to be a little better.