TL;DR — Canada PGWP can be up to 3 years, aligned to programme length; universities are exempt from field-of-study restrictions. Australia Subclass 485 is 2 years for Bachelor and taught Master, with a 1 to 2 year regional extension. For length alone, Canada often wins; for regional scaling and clear PR-through-points, Australia offers more levers.
Canada PGWP and Australia Subclass 485 are the two most-considered post-study work visas by Nepali applicants. Here is how they compare on the dimensions that matter.
Length
| Programme | Canada PGWP | Australia Subclass 485 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | Up to 3 years (aligned to programme length) | 2 years |
| Taught Master | Up to 3 years | 2 years |
| Master by research | Up to 3 years | 3 years |
| PhD | Up to 3 years | 4 years |
Eligibility
Canada PGWP
- Programme at least 8 months long at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Universities are exempt from the field-of-study restrictions IRCC introduced from 1 November 2024.
- Colleges must be in an eligible field (Agriculture and Agri-Food, Healthcare, STEM, Trade, or Transport) with CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French.
- PGWP language requirement: CLB 7 for university graduates or CLB 5 for college graduates.
Australia Subclass 485
- Programme must be a CRICOS-registered course of at least 16 calendar months of full-time study.
- Age cap 35 at time of application (higher for Master by research / PhD and select passport holders).
- Valid English test in one sitting within the accepted validity window.
- Health cover for the duration of the visa.
Fee
- Canada PGWP: CAD 255 (open work permit fee).
- Australia Subclass 485: AUD 4,600 (from 1 March 2026) rising to AUD 5,750 (from 1 July 2026); non-refundable.
Application window
- Canada PGWP: within 180 days of receiving final academic results.
- Australia Subclass 485: within 6 months of the date on the Completion Letter.
Regional scaling
- Canada: no formal regional-extension mechanism; provinces run PNP streams.
- Australia: Second Post-Higher Education Work stream adds 1 year (Category 2) or 2 years (Category 3).
PR pathway
- Canada: Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker / Canadian Experience Class) plus PNPs.
- Australia: SkillSelect EOI plus Subclass 189 / 190 / 491.
- Both are points-tested; both weight age, English and skilled work experience heavily.
Which is better?
- If length alone matters and you are studying at a Canadian university: PGWP.
- If you want a regional stacking strategy and clear skills-list occupation alignment: Australia.
- If age is above 30: Australian points curve moves faster; Canadian Express Entry can still be competitive with strong CRS score.
- If cost of the post-study visa itself matters: Canada PGWP is significantly cheaper.
Key takeaways
- Canada PGWP scales with programme length up to 3 years.
- Australia Subclass 485 has clearer regional stacking and PhD length.
- Australia Subclass 485 fee is significantly higher than PGWP.
- Both offer clear PR pathways through points-tested systems.
- Best fit depends on age, occupation, and whether you can commit to a regional location.
Important: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or migration advice. Rules, fees and eligibility criteria change; verify current guidance on the IRCC and Australian Department of Home Affairs websites, and speak to The Next Education counsellors before taking any action based on this content.
Related resources
See our Australia PSW guide, Canada PAL guide, and study abroad cost comparison.