Trading Down Under for the Great White North is like visiting your super cool distant cousins. Australia and Canada have been Commonwealth buddies for ages. It’s why Aussies and Canucks get along so well! While you might have to trade kangaroos for moose (yes, the plural of moose is moose), the bush for boreal forests, and surfing for snowboarding, both countries have this in common: endless adventures. Given its similarities to Oz and its incredible natural beauty, it’s no surprise that so many young Australians head to Canada for a working holiday — but how exactly does one move to Canada from Australia?
If you’re considering moving to Canada from Australia, the International Experience Canada (IEC) program offers a fantastic opportunity for Australians under 36 years old: the Working Holiday Visa. This visa allows you to work and explore Canada while enjoying its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture.
Australia and Canada have a special agreement that encourages young people from both countries to work and travel abroad. This means Canadian youth can work in Australia, and Australians can work in Canada without hassle.
One of the biggest advantages for Australians is that they have the best agreement of all 36 IEC countries. Why? Because there are unlimited visas available! While other countries must apply early to secure a spot due to limited availability, Australians can apply for the Working Holiday Visa anytime during the IEC season, which typically runs from December to September or October each year.
This open opportunity makes moving to Canada from Australia for a working holiday an accessible and exciting option for young Australians looking to experience life in a new country.
Yes! … Probably. There are a few working holiday visa requirements you must meet. Australians are fortunate to get an unlimited number of spots in IEC’s annual program. All other countries have a limited number of places for their participants every year, but Canadians just love their Aussies, don’t they?
In order to qualify for the Canadian working holiday visa, you must:
When you make the big move from Australia to Canada, you’re bound to notice a few differences. Although plenty of traditions and values are shared between both countries, there are plenty of local intricacies.
For starters, no one will be surprised by this fact: the weather’s a tad different. Being on two different hemispheres, Australia’s and Canada’s seasons are swapped. When Australia’s summer is blazing, Canada’s winter is freezing—and vice versa. Don’t believe the old rumours, the Great White North doesn’t boast snow year-round … well, we doubt you’ll be heading that far up north. From June to September, you’re looking at anywhere from 20s °C to 40s °C. In the winter months, depending on where you are, you could experience a mild -5 °C or a frosty -40 °C. Spring and fall are gorgeous transitional seasons and the weather is all over the place during those months, you’ve been warned!
When it comes to the work culture in Canada, it’s fairly similar to Australia. On average, Canadians’ work schedules are 8 hours a day or 35 to 40 hours per week full-time. Obviously, this depends on your gig. Lunch breaks tend to be 30 minutes to an hour and depending on the province, breaks of varying lengths are mandatory as well.
The minimum wage is lower in Canada than it is in Australia. However, a lot of gigs in Canada come with tips which are pretty much mandatory here. Not all jobs pay minimum wage and the cost of living varies depending on the city you find yourself in. It’s nothing to be scared about, it’s just good to know.
Payday comes around every two weeks and, contrarily to Oz, there are no weekend or evening pay increases (sorry). There is, however, a public holiday pay increase of, usually, 1.5 times your regular pay. Thanks to Commonwealth, most holidays are the same in Australia and Canada, although every province has their own extra holidays.
One place where Canada’s and Australia’s work culture differs greatly is the “Super.” That’s not a thing in Canada. People are expected to save for retirement on their own. In some cases, companies will help out, but it depends on the company and industry.
When it comes to leaving work and coming back to your home away from home, keep in mind that rent is paid monthly in Canada!
And for some fun rapid-fire differences: did you know that in some provinces, Canada packages milk in bags? Yup. A $1 coin is a loonie and a $2 coin is a toonie. Canadians drink a version of a bloody Mary with clam juice in it, and it’s delicious (it’s called a Caesar, give it a shot). Taxes are non-inclusive in Canada, meaning that you have to do some fun math when looking at something in a store to know how much it will be at the register (sorry). Canadians drive on the other side of the road and you can turn right at a red light! That about covers it.
Many Australians who love snow and adventure start their first working holiday closer to home in Japan. Destinations like Niseko and Hokkaido are favorites for Aussies looking for world-class skiing. However, after enjoying Japan’s snowy landscapes, many decide on moving to Canada from Australia for their next adventure.
Canada’s main language is English, just like in Australia, which makes communication easy. Plus, the Canadian and Australian dollars are similar in value, so budgeting is straightforward. These similarities make moving to Canada a smooth transition for Australians.
Moreover, Canada offers incredible ski conditions, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant cities. From the slopes of Whistler to the breathtaking Rockies, Canada is a dream destination for those moving to Canada from Australia. If you loved your working holiday in Japan during the winter season, you’ll be captivated by what Canada offers. With its friendly people, diverse culture, and countless outdoor activities, moving to Canada from Australia ensures an unforgettable experience.
Did you know that many Australians love winter so much that they chase it across the globe? They enjoy a winter season in Australia and then move to Canada right after, experiencing 12 months of winter adventures. This way, they get the best of both worlds, enjoying diverse winter sports and stunning landscapes.
If you’re a fan of cold weather and snowy fun, moving to Canada from Australia might sound like a perfect plan. With endless opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and exploring beautiful winter landscapes, moving to Canada offers an unparalleled experience.
Check out our Winter Resort program and see how you can make the most of your working holiday in Canada!
When moving to Canada from Australia under an IEC visa, it’s crucial to have a 24-month health insurance policy. The duration of your work permit as an Australian citizen directly depends on the length of your insurance coverage. Many Australians are surprised to receive only a six-month work permit because they brought only six months of insurance.
After receiving your approval letter or Port of Entry (POE) letter for your working holiday visa, remember that not all the preparation is complete. It’s essential to ensure you bring all the required documents for your trip to Canada.
At Stepwest, we make sure our participants are fully prepared for moving to Canada. Each participant attends our Pre-departure Orientation, ensuring they have everything they need to avoid any last-minute surprises.
With a little help from your friends in Canada—that’s us! Most of the Stepwest team originally made the move to Canada on a working holiday. So we’ve been there, done that, and are here to help. We know the struggle, which is why we’ll get you a job, a place to stay, plenty of insider knowledge, help with your work permit and all things to do with your Canadian adventure!
Whether you choose to become one with the city folk and live the cosmopolitan Canadian life, experience the postcard version of Canada with a snowy ski resort gig or you’re curious about what summer here has to offer, you’re sure to make the most of your move from Australia to Canada.
6 - 24 Months
CAD $1190
Our Winter Resort Working Holiday program provides a great opportunity to secure employment before you arrive in Canada. Partnered with top Canadian ski resorts, we assist in job placement and guarantee staff accommodation while you're still in your home country.
6 - 24 Months
$1190
Our summer resort program is perfect for experiencing the beauty of a Canadian summer firsthand. With various job opportunities, you can earn income while immersing yourself in Canada's wonders. Plus, you can even extend your stay for the winter season if you choose!
12 Months
CAD $490
Our Canada Send Off Package helps you obtain your Working Holiday Visa, marking the start of an exciting journey. While job placement isn't included, it's a great way to begin your return to Canada affordably.
Get in touch with our team for a free consultation on how to make your Canadian dreams come true.
You can work anywhere in Canada for up to 24 months, no limitations in hours or location, plus let’s say the Working Holiday visa is the easiest work permit application made for international youth with interest in working in Canada, without the need of going through a lengthy and complicated visa process.
Let’s say you will be working in Canada, the same way as if you would like to work somewhere in your own country for up to 24 months!
You must be up to 35 years old (included), have a valid australian passport and no criminal records!
For when you land in Canada and to be able to receive the work permit for up to 2 years, you MUST present an insurance for 24 months
Up to 2 years! As long as you bring with you insurance for up to 2 years at the time of activation, you can get access to a 2 years work permit in Canada!
Any job! The working holiday allows you to work in any field – You only need to keep in mind that if you are planning to work in the Health, Education, and some specific roles, you will need to complete a Medical exam back home before traveling to Canada to make sure your work permit has no restrictions.
Working at a Canadian resort! The benefits of working at a Resort Location during Summer or Winter season is that you will be traveling to Canada not only with a guaranteed job but also housing. This is by far the most popular route used by Australians wanting to work in Canada – check our Working Resort programs here
Are you more of a city person? – Check our Send -Off program so we can guide you with everything you need to move to Canada and work in a Canadian city!
We will help you with the process as part of our Working Holiday programs in Canada so you can get a free bank account before you start working – along with getting your SIN, canadian cell phone number, etc.. We have partnered with a Bank Institution in Canada that will provide you a free bank account, as workers in Canada would normally pay a small monthly fee for debit accounts!
Yes, you will be deducted taxes from your paycheque, as any worker in the country. Working holidaymakers must file their taxes and if it is done properly, you might be eligible for a tax refund. You will be filing Taxes for the previous fiscal year (January -December) or the months that you were in Canada from the previous year.
As a working holiday maker, whatever amount of money you earn in Canada may be subject to federal income tax ranging from 15% to 33%.
You can get any health insurance that covers you for 2 years and covers the following:
We recommend you take a look at our Insurance blog post here as we explain everything you need to know about insurance for an IEC visa in Canada: https://www.stepwest.com/blog/how-to-guide/international-experience-canada-health-insurance/
Get started with a Resort experience in Canada! If you are traveling alone, when you join a program like our Summer or Winter Resort program you get the benefit of traveling to Canada already with a job and housing lineup! The best part? You will be living and working with other working holidaymakers from around the world (from up to 36 countries), plus Canadians who also love to do a season in the same locations we do as internationals!
Make lots of friends for your first season and then is up to you if you want to remain in the Resort area or change plans and move to a city in Canada or even a new Resort location – up to you!