# Canada vs Australia Student Visa for Indians: Funds and Fees

> Visa charges, living-cost minimums, family amounts, income alternatives and proof-of-funds rules for Indian students choosing between Canada and Australia, from official data.

_Published: 2026-11-04 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1129_

## TL;DR

Australia's Student visa (subclass 500) costs AUD 2,500 and, where funds evidence is asked for, expects AUD 29,710 a year in living costs plus course fees and AUD 2,000 for travel. Canada's study permit costs CAN$150 plus CAN$85 biometrics, with a living-cost minimum of CAN$23,448 for one person outside Quebec plus tuition and travel.

## Key takeaways

- Visa charge: AUD 2,500 for Australia's subclass 500 (from 1 July 2026) vs CAN$150 plus CAN$85 biometrics for a Canadian study permit.
- Living costs: AUD 29,710 for 12 months in Australia vs CAN$23,448 for one person in Canada (outside Quebec, from 1 September 2026).
- Australia accepts parents' or partner's annual income of at least AUD 87,856 instead of savings; Canada lists a GIC, loans, scholarships and 6 months of statements.
- Since 2 October 2026 most Australian Student visa applicants cannot include family members.
- Neither government publishes fees in rupees.

**Australia's Home Affairs charges AUD 2,500 for the Student visa (subclass 500), while IRCC charges CAN$150 for a Canadian study permit plus CAN$85 biometrics. For funds, Australia's living-cost figure is AUD 29,710 for 12 months plus course fees and travel, against Canada's minimum of CAN$23,448 for one person outside Quebec, plus tuition and travel.**

## Article

All figures are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Neither government publishes an INR amount, so convert at your bank's rate when you pay. Country detail sits in our Canada and Australia guides, and every destination is on our India visa hub.

### How do the visa fees compare?
ChargeAustralia: Student visa (subclass 500)Canada: study permitMain applicantAUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026 (AUD 2,050 for standalone ELICOS or Non-Award courses)CAN$150, including extensionsBiometricsOnly if Home Affairs asks; listed as a possible extra costCAN$85 per person; CAN$170 maximum for a family applying togetherFamily member includedAUD 1,530 (18+) or AUD 500 (under 18), where family can still be includedFees are per person: CAN$150 for a study permit, CAN$155 for a work permit, CAN$100 for a visitor visaOther official costsHealth checks and police certificates if asked; AUD 700 subsequent temporary application charge may apply if lodged in AustraliaOptional VFS charges in rupees at the Visa Application CentreHealth coverOverseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) bought separately from an approved insurer; Home Affairs publishes no premiumNot part of IRCC's study permit fee list in our recordOn application charges alone, Canada is far cheaper. The bigger numbers sit in the funds you must show, which is where most Indian families plan their loans and deposits.

### How much money must you show for living costs?
Australia asks for evidence of money only if its Document Checklist Tool requires it for you. When it does, the amounts below apply. Canada asks every study permit applicant for proof of funds covering first-year tuition, return transportation and living costs.

ItemAustraliaCanada (outside Quebec)Student living costsAUD 29,710 for 12 monthsCAN$23,448 for 1 person (applications on or after 1 September 2026)TuitionFirst 12 months' course feesFirst-year tuitionTravelAUD 2,000 guide amount when applying from outside Australia anywhere other than AfricaReturn transportation; no fixed figureWith a partnerAdd AUD 10,394CAN$29,192 for 2 peopleWith childrenAdd AUD 4,449 per child, plus at least AUD 13,502 a year per school-age childCAN$35,888 for 3, CAN$43,572 for 4, up to CAN$62,054 for 7; then CAN$6,318 per extra memberCanada's figure rose on 1 September 2026; applications from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026 used CAN$22,895 for one person. If your programme runs longer than a year, IRCC also asks you to explain how you will pay for the full duration.

### Can parents' income replace a bank balance?
In Australia, yes. Instead of savings, you can show that your parents or partner earned a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply (AUD 102,500 if family members come). It must be shown with official government documents such as tax assessments. Bank statements and employer letters are not accepted for this route, so think ITR acknowledgements, not salary slips.

Canada's list in our record has no income-only alternative. Instead it accepts several forms of proof, and you can combine them:

- A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a Canadian financial institution.
- A Canadian bank account in your name.
- Bank statements for the past 6 months showing the source of funds.
- An education loan or a scholarship.
- Receipts for paid first-year tuition or housing.
- A letter and proof of funds from a sponsor.
Australia adds a rule Indian applicants often miss: genuine access to funds. You must show how deposits were built up, for example through transaction history or salary patterns. A single-day bank balance certificate does not show this.

### Can family members come with you?
This is now the sharpest difference. From 2 October 2026, most Australian Student visa applications must be lodged outside Australia and most applicants can no longer include family members. Exemptions include PhD students, DFAT or Defence-sponsored students and holders of fully funded foreign-government scholarships. So the partner and child amounts above matter only if you fall in an exempt group.

Canada's funds table is built around family size, from 1 person up to 7 and beyond. IRCC fees are charged per person, so price each family member's permit or visa separately.

### How do grant rates and processing times compare?
- Australia: Home Affairs reports a Student visa grant rate of 59.5% for Indian citizens applying outside Australia in October–December 2025, counted as grants divided by grants plus refusals (79.9% in the same quarter of 2024). Primary applications from Indian citizens granted in that quarter took a median 23 days, with 75% within 36 days.
- Canada: IRCC gives a 59% refusal rate for new study permit applications in 2025 (52% in 2024), across all nationalities; it does not publish an India-only figure on that page. Its processing-times data for study permits applied for from India shows 7 weeks, updated 14 October 2026.
The two numbers measure different things, one a grant rate for Indians and one a global refusal rate, so they do not predict your own outcome. They do show that both countries refuse many applications, which is why proof of funds deserves care.

### Which 2026 changes should you factor in?
- 1 January 2026, Canada: master's and doctoral degree programmes at public DLIs no longer need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL).
- 1 July 2026, Australia: the Student visa charge became AUD 2,500.
- 1 September 2026, Canada: the single-applicant living-cost minimum rose to CAN$23,448.
- 2 October 2026, Australia: offshore lodgement and the family-member limit took effect.
Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

### Frequently asked questions

#### Is a GIC compulsory for a Canadian study permit?
No. A GIC from a Canadian financial institution is one accepted proof of funds. IRCC also accepts a Canadian bank account in your name, 6 months of bank statements showing the source of funds, an education loan, a scholarship or paid tuition receipts.

#### Can I use an education loan for an Australian Student visa?
Yes. Home Affairs lists deposits, loans or scholarships as evidence of financial capacity, plus evidence of genuine access to the money, such as the loan terms and disbursement.

#### Do Indian students need a PAL for Canada?
In most cases, yes, issued through your DLI and submitted with the application. From January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral programmes at public DLIs are exempt, and Quebec requires a CAQ instead.

#### Can I pay the Australian or Canadian visa fee in rupees?
Home Affairs charges in AUD and IRCC in CAD; neither publishes an INR amount. Your card is charged in rupees at your bank's exchange rate on the day.

## FAQ

### Is a GIC compulsory for a Canadian study permit?

No. A GIC from a Canadian financial institution is one accepted proof of funds. IRCC also accepts a Canadian bank account in your name, 6 months of bank statements showing the source of funds, an education loan, a scholarship or paid tuition receipts.

### Can I use an education loan for an Australian Student visa?

Yes. Home Affairs lists deposits, loans or scholarships as evidence of financial capacity, plus evidence of genuine access to the money, such as the loan terms and disbursement.

### Do Indian students need a PAL for Canada?

In most cases, yes, issued through your DLI and submitted with the application. From January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral programmes at public DLIs are exempt, and Quebec requires a CAQ instead.

### Can I pay the Australian or Canadian visa fee in rupees?

Home Affairs charges in AUD and IRCC in CAD; neither publishes an INR amount. Your card is charged in rupees at your bank's exchange rate on the day.

## Sources

1. [Department of Home Affairs - Student visa (subclass 500)](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500) — Department of Home Affairs, Australia
2. [IRCC - Study permit: Proof of financial support](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
3. [Department of Home Affairs - Student and temporary graduate visa program report, 31 December 2025](https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/research-and-stats/files/student-temporary-grad-program-report-dec-2025.pdf) — Department of Home Affairs, Australia
4. [IRCC - Fee list](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada