Canada vs Australia Work Permits: Which is Better for Indians in 2025?

Planning a global career is an exciting journey, but choosing the right destination can be overwhelming. For many Indian professionals, Canada and Australia are the top two choices for work opportunities abroad. Both nations offer excellent pathways to live and work legally, but each has its own set of rules, timelines, benefits, and challenges.

In this comprehensive and accessible guide, we examine which work permit system will be more advantageous for Indians in 2025 by evaluating crucial factors such as visa types, eligibility, processing times, wages, pathways to permanent residency (PR), and immigration policies.

• Canada focuses on employer-specific and open work permits. It supports skilled migration through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
• Australia uses a points-based system with visa subclasses like TSS 482, 189, and 190. Recent updates have added more flexibility through the Skills in Demand visa stream.

Both countries are welcoming but differ significantly in structure, processing, and long-term potential.

1. Work Permit Types & Eligibility

Canada

• Employer-Specific Permit: The employer is required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
• Open Work Permit: Given in limited cases (e.g., spouses of international students or workers, post-graduation work permits).
• Express Entry & PNPs: Offer direct pathways to PR through job offers or provincial nomination.

Australia

• TSS 482 Visa: Temporary Skill Shortage visa for employer-sponsored professionals (2–4 years).
• Skilled Independent (189) & Nominated (190): Points-based, PR-linked pathways based on occupation and profile.
• Skills in Demand Visa: Targets priority occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Key Insight:

• Canada’s LMIA process is bureaucratic and time-consuming.
• Australia’s points system can be challenging for those without high qualifications or English proficiency.

 

2. Processing Time & Backlogs

Canada

• LMIA Approval: Increased dramatically to 165 business days in 2025 (from 58 in 2023).
• Global Talent Stream: Offers 2-week processing for high-demand tech roles.

Australia

• Skilled Visas (189/190): Average processing time is 4–6 months.
• TSS 482 Visas: Typically processed in 2–3 months.
• Subclass 462 (Working Holiday): Now extended to Indians with 1-year work rights.

Key Insight:

• Canada’s delays can impact job offers and legal status.
• Australia has more predictable and slightly faster processing timelines.

 

3. Costs & Wage Thresholds

Canada

• TFWP Update (June 2025): Raised wage thresholds for both high- and low-wage streams.
• Job Offer Requirements: Stricter enforcement of wage compliance is now in effect.

Australia

• Minimum Income Requirements: AUD 53,900 annual salary (varies by occupation and visa type).
• Skilled Employment: Needed to maintain and extend work rights.

Key Insight:

• Wage hikes in Canada may limit access to lower-paid roles.
• Australia maintains a more inclusive salary threshold for new entrants.

 

4. Post-Study & Work-to-PR Pathways

Canada

• PGWP Update (June 2025): 119 programs added, 178 removed.
• Economic Mobility Pilot: New PR path for skilled workers and refugees.
• Job Flexibility: A new rule permits job changes without the need for a new permit under certain conditions.

Australia

• PR from Work Visa: Subclass 482 and 190 lead to permanent residency.
• Subclass 462 (Holiday-Work): Offers entry-level work for Indian youth (18–31 years).

Key Insight:

• Canada offers more direct pathways from study to PR, but is tightening eligibility.
• Australia supports a clear, points-based progression from work to PR.

 

5. Immigration Policy & Climate

Canada

• Tightening Controls: Caps on international students and spouses’ work rights.
• Labor-Focused PR Routes: New programs designed to fill industry shortages.

Australia

• India-Australia Mobility Agreement: ~300,000 Indians on temporary visas.
• Balanced Growth Strategy: Encourages skilled migration while managing infrastructure pressure.

Key Insight:

• Canada is slowing its intake to manage housing and public service stress.

• Australia is actively welcoming Indian skilled professionals through specific agreements aimed at attracting talent.

 

Notable Data & Real-World Stats

• 45.8% of Canada’s 834,000 study/work visas in 2025 went to Indian nationals.
• Canada’s backlog caused status loss for some Indian workers.
• 1,000+ Subclass 462 visas are granted to Indians annually in Australia.
• Australia’s Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) now includes 456 high-demand jobs.

Summary: What Should Indians Choose in 2025?

• Canada provides more flexible permits and study-to-work transitions, but LMIA delays and tighter rules affect accessibility.
• Australia offers faster processing, clear PR progression, and improved mobility for Indians via recent agreements.
• Canada’s wage hike policy may limit low-salary job seekers; Australia’s salary threshold is lower and more inclusive.
• Students and young professionals may find Australia’s subclass 462 and Skills in Demand visa more accessible.
• Consulting a reliable immigration consultant or visa expert is key to choosing the right country and pathway.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which country has faster work permit processing for Indians in 2025?

• Australia generally offers faster and more predictable processing times (2–6 months). Canada’s LMIA-related delays have extended timelines to over 5 months in some cases.

2. Can Indian students in Canada and Australia work after graduation?

• Yes. Canada offers the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), while Australia offers post-study work rights and pathways to PR via subclass 482 or 190.

3. Is the Canadian work permit open to everyone?

• No. Most permits are employer-specific and require an LMIA. Open work permits are limited to specific groups like spouses of students or skilled workers.

4. How much do I need to earn to qualify for a work permit?

• In Canada, new wage thresholds vary by region and industry but will be higher by mid-2025. In Australia, the minimum salary is around AUD 53,900 annually.

5. Which country offers better chances of permanent residency?

• Both countries offer strong PR pathways. Canada is known for its Express Entry and PNP routes, while Australia’s points-based system (subclass 189/190) is equally competitive.

6. Are work permits affected by current immigration policies?

• Yes. Canada is tightening rules to manage housing and service pressure. Australia is expanding access through its India Mobility Agreement and updated occupation lists.

7. Should I consult a visa consultant before applying?

• Absolutely. A certified immigration consultant or visa expert can help match your profile with the most suitable program and avoid costly errors.