Moving to Canada from Australia: 2026 Guide
Moving to Canada from Australia is easier than most moves abroad. Both countries use a points system to choose skilled workers. If you’re an Australian considering Canada, much of the process will feel familiar. But the details are quite different.
Canada vs Australia: A Quick Comparison
| Factor | Canada | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Main skilled system | Express Entry (CRS score, max 1,200) | SkillSelect (points test, max 100+) |
| Path to citizenship | 3 years physical presence in 5 years as a PR | 4 years residence, including 1 year as a PR |
| Working holiday age limit | Up to 35 for Australians | Up to 35 for Canadians (reciprocal) |
| Healthcare | Provincial, tax-funded, no fixed reciprocal agreement with Australia | Medicare, with reciprocal agreements with several countries |
Main Pathways for Australians
International Experience Canada (Working Holiday)
Australia and Canada have a working holiday deal. Australians aged 18 to 35 can get a two-year open work permit through IEC. Many people use this as a first step when moving to Canada from Australia. Work you do in Canada on this permit can later count toward the Canadian Experience Class for permanent residence. See our Working Holiday Visa Canada guide for full details.
Express Entry
Express Entry is the main federal route for moving to Canada from Australia. Australian degrees, trade papers and work history are usually easy to get assessed. English tests are often the easiest place for Australians to score high on the CRS. Use our CRS calculator to see how your profile scores.
Provincial Nominee Programs
British Columbia and Alberta have long drawn Australian migrants. Both have mining, resources, farm and trade jobs much like Australia. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. That almost always leads to an invitation in a later Express Entry draw.
Skilled Trades and Resources Workers
Do you have a trade ticket in welding, electrical work or heavy gear? If so, you may be a strong fit for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Trade streams run by the provinces are another choice. Look at provinces with lots of mining and building work, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan.
What to Know Before Moving to Canada from Australia
Canada has no health care deal with Australia. So people moving to Canada from Australia may face a wait before provincial health cover starts. In some provinces this can be up to three months. Buy private health insurance to cover that gap.
Your super does not move to a Canadian retirement account. The two countries have no pension transfer deal. Get advice on your super before and after the move.
The time gap is a big change. Most of Canada is 14 to 19 hours behind Australia’s east coast, based on the season and province. This matters if you plan to keep working remotely for an Australian employer.
Credential Recognition
Most degrees from Australia get a good result from an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Some jobs are a different story. Nurses, doctors, engineers and teachers need a licence from the province, too. Look into this well before moving to Canada from Australia.
Healthcare Workers From Australia
Many provinces want nurses, doctors and other health workers trained in Australia. The need is highest in small towns, where staff are short. Your visa and your licence are two separate steps. Call the health college in your province early to learn what else you need. Do this before you set a date for moving to Canada from Australia.
Mining, Resources, and Agriculture
Both countries are strong in mining, oil and gas, and big farms. Workers from these fields often do well in Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of British Columbia. Some provincial streams there look for mining, heavy gear and farm work.
Moving to Canada from Australia: Comparing Two Immigration Systems
Anyone weighing up moving to Canada from Australia soon asks how the CRS compares to SkillSelect. Both are points tests, but they weigh factors differently. You cannot convert one score into the other. A high SkillSelect score does not mean a high CRS score. Canada gives more weight to Canadian work experience and provincial nomination. Australia leans more on job ceilings and state lists that reset each program year.
Currency and Cost Considerations
The Australian and Canadian dollars have long traded close to each other. This makes budgeting for moving to Canada from Australia a bit easier than for people from countries with shaky exchange rates. Still, plan your costs in Canadian dollars at today’s rate. Include shipping, short-term housing and the proof of funds needed for Express Entry.
Adjusting to Canadian Seasons
When it’s summer in Australia, it’s winter in Canada. This is a bigger change than it sounds. Many people moving to Canada from Australia are caught out by their first winter. In Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, it stays far below zero for months. The coast of British Columbia is milder and feels more like home.
Superannuation, Taxes, and the Australia-Canada Tax Treaty
Super is the biggest money question for anyone moving to Canada from Australia, so plan for it early. Canada has no direct match for super. Australian funds usually cannot move into a Canadian RRSP without Australian tax costs. Access to super depends on your preservation age, not where you live.
Most money advisers say to leave your super where it is. Once you work in Canada, save for later through an RRSP. Don’t try to move your super across.
Australia and Canada have a tax treaty that stops you being taxed twice on the same income. If you properly end your Australian tax residency under the ATO tests, you usually become a Canadian tax resident from your landing date. From then on, Canada taxes your worldwide income. Rent from an Australian investment property stays taxable in Australia. You must also declare it in Canada, and a foreign tax credit stops you paying twice.
If you keep major income or assets in Australia, see an accountant who knows both systems. Negative gearing, capital gains discounts and Canadian tax rules do not mix in obvious ways.
Healthcare: Medicare vs Provincial Coverage
Moving from Medicare to a provincial plan will feel familiar. Both are public systems paid for by taxes, with no bill for doctor or hospital visits. But in Canada, each province runs its own plan. People moving to Canada from Australia may wait up to three months for cover in provinces such as British Columbia and Quebec.
You must have private health cover for that gap, most of all if you have kids. As back home, the basic plan in each province does not cover drugs, dental or eye care for most adults. Most workers get these through a plan at work. If you had Medicare plus private cover, this will feel familiar.
Banking, Credit History, and Driving
Your Australian credit history does not transfer to Canada. Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada do not share data with Australian credit bureaus. Most people moving to Canada from Australia start with an empty credit file, however good their Australian rating was. A secured credit card in your first few weeks is the fastest way to build a Canadian score. With steady use, this usually takes 12 to 18 months.
Most provinces let you drive on an Australian licence for a short time, usually 60 to 90 days. After that you need a provincial licence. Some provinces have exchange deals with certain Australian states. These let you swap your licence without a road test, though you often still need a written test. The list of states can change, so check your province’s current rules.
Shipping Belongings and Bringing Pets
Sea freight from Australia to Canada usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. That is longer than from most countries, so many movers ship their goods well before they land. Household goods for a permanent move are usually duty-free. You need to list them on a settler’s effects form with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Cats and dogs usually face no quarantine when entering Canada if they have valid rabies vaccine papers. This is very different from Australia’s strict pet import rules. Taking a pet out of Australia is much simpler than bringing one in.
Cost of Living When Moving to Canada from Australia
| Expense | Typical Australian City | Typical Canadian City |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | AUD 2,000–2,800 | CAD 1,900–2,700 |
| Petrol/gasoline | Moderate per litre | Generally lower per litre |
| University tuition (domestic/resident rate) | HECS-HELP deferred loan system | Varies by province, generally paid upfront or via provincial student loans |
| Public transit monthly pass | Comparable across major cities | Comparable, varies notably by city |
Watch the AUD-CAD exchange rate in the months before moving to Canada from Australia. It decides how far your savings go once converted. Timing a large transfer for a good rate can make a real difference to your settlement budget.
Distance, Seasons, and What Surprises Australians Most
The biggest change when moving to Canada from Australia is not the culture. Both countries share many Commonwealth roots. The real shock is the seasons. Most of Canada gets a true winter, with months of snow and sub-zero cold. Budget for warm clothing, snow tires and higher heating bills in your first year.
Flights home also take longer than many expect. A trip back to Australia usually takes 20 hours or more each way, with connections. That is more than double the flight from the UK. Think about how often you can really visit family after the move.
Recognition of Australian Trade Qualifications
Skilled trades are one of the best routes for moving to Canada from Australia. Canada is short of people in building, welding, electrical and heavy gear work. Trade training from Australia is well thought of. But each province sets its own trade rules. An electrician or plumber will likely need a trade check in their new province. Many also need to pass a Red Seal exam to work with full papers.
The process is faster for trades with formal recognition deals, but it is rarely instant. In your first year, it is common to work under supervision at a lower level while you finish the Canadian process.
Mine and farm workers often find their skills fit the same kinds of jobs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of British Columbia. But you will likely need to redo your safety tickets to Canadian rules. This includes tickets for falls, tight spaces and heavy gear, even if your skills are the same.
One more point for Australians: your HECS-HELP debt does not pause when you leave. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requires you to report your worldwide income each year while overseas. Your repayments are based on that income using the normal thresholds. Keep this on your checklist next to your Canadian tax return.
Ready to see your numbers? Try our free CRS calculator and get your Express Entry score instantly.
Housing Markets: Sydney and Melbourne Compared to Toronto and Vancouver
Australians moving to Canada’s largest cities will find the housing talk familiar. Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto and Vancouver are all among the priciest markets in their countries. So the price shock is smaller than for people from cheaper regions. The details differ, though. Canadian mortgages usually have shorter fixed terms, often five years. These renew over a longer repayment period.
Anyone moving to Canada from Australia without Canadian credit can still get a mortgage. Major banks have newcomer programs, though they usually need a larger down payment. Smaller Canadian cities cost much less, much like choosing Adelaide or Hobart over Sydney. They are worth a look if you care more about cost than big-city life.
What Happens to Superannuation When You Become a Canadian Tax Resident
Super often confuses people moving to Canada from Australia. Canada has no direct match for super, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may tax it in ways you do not expect. Based on the fund type, the CRA may tax growth in your super each year, not just when you withdraw. Australian tax law treats it differently.
This is a tricky area, and advice online is often thin or out of date. A tax expert who knows both countries is worth paying for. This is most true if you have a large super balance.
Trade Qualifications: Getting a Red Seal Assessment
Australian tradespeople often ask if their trade papers transfer to Canada. This includes electricians, plumbers, carpenters and welders. They usually do not transfer on their own. But Canada’s Red Seal program gives a standard path to recognition in most provinces for over 50 trades.
First, you apply to the trade body in your new province. They look at your papers and work history. Many people then sit a challenge exam. This lets skilled workers prove what they can do without doing a full apprenticeship again.
Some provinces have special deals that speed this up for certain trades. Check your province’s process early, before you assume you must retrain. Many skilled Australian tradespeople find the Canadian process faster than they expected.
Bringing Family Pets From Australia
Canada’s pet rules for dogs and cats from Australia are much simpler than Australia’s own strict rules. This surprises many movers. Dogs over three months old usually need proof of rabies vaccine. Cats face fewer rules. Airline rules on crates, health papers and booking are often the harder part.
There is no rabies in Australia, and it is far from other lands. So pets from there tend to have simple vaccine records. This makes it much easier to bring them into Canada than pets from places with more complex rabies rules.
Comparing University Systems for Families With Older Children
Parents of teens near uni age often ask how the ATAR compares. Most Canadian unis look at final high school marks in the subjects each program needs. There is no single rank like the ATAR. Good marks in the right subjects can count for more than your overall mark.
Teens who move part-way through high school may need their marks checked. This shows how their subjects line up with local rules to graduate. Until the family gets PR, they may pay the higher fees for students from outside. After that, local fees apply. Plan for this in your school budget.
Time Zones and Staying Connected With Family Back Home
The time gap is one of the hardest daily changes when moving to Canada from Australia. Most of Canada is about 14 to 19 hours behind eastern Australia, based on the province and time of year.
A weekday evening call to Sydney or Melbourne often reaches family in their morning, or in your very early hours. Movers who stay closest to family often set a regular weekly call. A weekend morning in Canada often lines up with a weekend evening in Australia.
Flights between Canada and Australia usually need at least one stop, often in Los Angeles, Vancouver or Auckland. Total travel time is over 20 hours each way. Keep this in mind when planning visits home in your first few years.
Job Hunting From Australia Before You Move
Getting a Canadian job before moving to Canada from Australia is possible, but set realistic hopes. Employers hiring from abroad are most open to candidates in shortage fields. These include health care, skilled trades, tech and some types of engineering. Most will interview you by video call rather than fly you over.
LinkedIn is the most common platform for this kind of job search. Adapt your resume to Canadian style: usually two pages, Canadian spelling and no photo. This tends to work better than sending an Australian-style resume as it is.
If you get a job offer before moving, ask if the employer will support a work permit application. Not every Canadian employer has done this before. Having this talk early avoids problems late in salary talks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can leave your super invested in Australia after you move, and you usually do not have to transfer or close it. Access still depends on Australian preservation age rules, wherever you live. Most cross-border advisers warn against moving super into a Canadian account because of tax problems on both sides.
Most of Canada is 14 to 19 hours behind eastern Australia, based on the time zone and season. This makes live contact with family hard. Most Australian movers set regular video calls at times that work for both sides. These are usually early morning or late evening in Canada.
Yes. For Express Entry, most people need an ECA from an approved group. It shows your degree matches a Canadian one. Degrees from Australia are well respected and rarely cause issues. Everyone who studied outside Canada needs this step. It is not an extra hoop just for you.
Australians often do well in Express Entry. English test scores, degree checks and skilled work history are usually easy to prove. But you still need a CRS score that beats others in the pool to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Yes. The Federal Skilled Worker Program under Express Entry does not need a job offer. The IEC Working Holiday permit is also an open work permit, so it is not tied to one employer.
No. Your super stays where it is. Canada has no deal to move it into a Canadian plan. Talk to an expert before you make any choices about your super.
Both countries accept applicants aged 18 to 35 under their IEC working holiday deal. This is one of the widest age ranges among IEC partner countries.
After you get an Invitation to Apply, most complete Express Entry applications are processed in about six months. The time it takes to build a strong profile and gather papers varies by person.
Australian citizens do not need a visitor visa for short stays in Canada. But they need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they fly in. An eTA only allows a short visit. It does not let you live or work in Canada.
Costs vary a lot by city. Housing in Toronto and Vancouver is often similar to or higher than Sydney and Melbourne. Groceries and daily costs are fairly similar overall. Smaller Canadian cities can have much lower housing costs if you want to save.
Many Australians arrive in late spring or summer, between May and August. This gives them time to adjust before their first winter. In practice, your arrival date usually depends on when your visa or PR is finalized.