Moving to Australia from Canada: Complete 2026 Guide

How Canadians Can Move to Australia (2026)

Australia does not issue residency by income threshold. There is no D7, no Pensionado, no passive-income visa. Australia uses a skills-and-points system — your pathway depends on your occupation, education, English level, age, and whether you have employer or state sponsorship. There are five realistic routes for Canadians, and one of them — the Working Holiday — is more generous for Canadians than for most nationalities.

Working Holiday (Subclass 417): Easiest Entry for Under 35s

The Working Holiday visa is the most accessible route for Canadians aged 18–35. No points test, no skills assessment, no employer needed. You can work for employers, travel freely, and if you complete specified regional work, apply for a second or third year.

• Requirements: Canadian citizenship, aged 18–35 at the time of application (you can lodge up to the day before your 36th birthday), and about AUD $5,000 in accessible savings
• Duration: 12 months initially; a second year after completing 88 days (3 months) of specified regional work; a third year after 179 days of regional work in total
• Work rule: you can generally work for the same employer for up to 6 months before changing employers
• Note: Canadians use subclass 417 (Working Holiday), not subclass 462 — and, like the UK, France and Ireland, get the higher age-35 limit (most nationalities are capped at 30, and Americans use 462).

Skilled Independent (189): The Main PR Pathway

The 189 visa grants immediate permanent residence without needing an employer or state sponsor. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, accumulate points, and await an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The higher your score, the faster you receive an invitation.

• Minimum points: 65 to submit an EOI
• Competitive in 2026: 85–95+ for most occupations; trade occupations as low as 65–75; ICT roles require 95+ due to high competition
• Occupation: Must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
• Skills assessment: Required from the relevant assessing authority (Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ACS, AHPRA, etc.) — allow 3–6 months
• Application fee: AUD $6,135 (primary applicant, from 1 July 2026)

Moving With a Spouse or Children?

For skilled migration applications (189/190/491), a spouse or de facto partner can be included as a secondary applicant. If your partner also has a skills assessment on the skilled list, their qualifications add 10 points to your primary application. Dependent children are included as secondary applicants. For the 482 employer-sponsored visa, dependents receive a secondary visa allowing work and study rights.

Cost of Living in Australia for Canadians (2026)

Australia is not a cost-savings destination. Sydney and Melbourne are broadly comparable to Toronto and Vancouver in monthly outgoings — in some categories more expensive. The financial case for moving to Australia is quality of life, healthcare access on PR, climate, and safety — not a lower monthly spend. Adelaide is the notable exception: Australia’s most liveable and most affordable capital city. Handily, 1 AUD is worth about C$0.98 in 2026, so the Australian-dollar figures below are roughly the same number in Canadian dollars.

1 AUD ≈ C$0.98 in 2026, so these AUD totals are almost the same in Canadian dollars. Figures are estimates for comparison only. The healthcare row reflects mandatory private insurance on a temporary visa — it drops to near zero on PR via Medicare.

Monthly Budget by City & Lifestyle

• Single, Adelaide — AUD $2,700–3,500/month. Most affordable capital city. Warm Mediterranean climate, excellent food and wine, top universities. Active state nomination program. Best value for money in Australia.
• Single, Brisbane / SE Queensland — AUD $3,400–4,200/month. Warm subtropical climate, fastest-growing major city, strong infrastructure investment (2032 Olympics host). More affordable than Sydney but rising fast.
• Single, Melbourne — AUD $3,600–4,800/month. Australia’s cultural capital. Best public transport network, strong arts and food scene. Most variable rental market — inner suburbs expensive, outer suburbs more accessible.
• Single, Perth — AUD $3,500–4,500/month. Isolated (5hr flight from east coast), strong mining/resources economy, high wages in sector roles. Fastest-growing rental market in Australia in 2025–26.
• Single, Sydney — AUD $4,500–6,000/month. Australia’s most expensive city. World-class harbour, beaches, international connectivity. Finance and tech jobs concentrate here but salaries are higher too.
• Couple, Adelaide or Brisbane — AUD $4,500–6,000/month all-in (2BR, food, two transports, insurance, leisure).

Banking in Australia as a Canadian

Banking is far simpler for Canadians than for Americans — there is no FATCA/FBAR reporting and no Social Security Number to hand over. Australia’s Big Four banks (Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB) all run newcomer programs and can often open an account before you land. Your main job is to get set up quickly and manage your Canadian accounts around becoming a non-resident.

Banking setup: step by step

• Before arrival — open a Commonwealth Bank (CBA) account. CBA lets most account types be opened online up to 14 days before your arrival date, giving you an Australian BSB and account number before you land — essential for a first rent payment.
• Day 1 — visit a branch to activate. Bring your passport and visa grant letter. No SSN or tax-ID from home is needed, unlike a US mover.
• Week 1 — get your TFN. Apply for a Tax File Number at ato.gov.au. It is free and takes up to 28 days, but you can give your employer the application reference while you wait. Without a TFN, your employer withholds tax at the top rate (47%).
• Keep a Canadian account — but tell your bank you’re leaving. Notify the CRA and your bank when you become a non-resident. Canadian banks may restrict some registered accounts (e.g. RRSP/TFSA trading) once you hold a foreign address — confirm with your institution before you move.
• Use Wise as a bridge. Open a Wise account before you leave Canada for CAD → AUD transfers at close to the mid-market rate. Wise holds AUD in a local account number and is widely accepted.

Tax, the Departure Tax, and Your Canadian Pensions

Your tax picture is very different from an American’s: Canada taxes on residence, not citizenship. Once you become a non-resident of Canada, the CRA generally stops taxing your world income — there is no lifelong worldwide filing and no FBAR — but it charges a one-time departure tax on the way out and keeps withholding tax on your Canadian pensions. In Australia you then pay Australian income tax as a resident, on your worldwide income, with a credit for Canadian tax already paid.

Australian income tax rates (ATO 2025–26):

Canadians on temporary visas without Medicare access may be exempt from the 2% Medicare Levy — confirm with a tax specialist. 1 AUD ≈ C$0.98.

The Canadian departure tax

The biggest one-off cost is on the Canadian side, not the Australian side. When you become a non-resident, the CRA treats you as having sold most of your property at market value — a deemed disposition under s.128.1 — which can trigger capital-gains tax.

• Report the deemed disposition on Form T1243.
• List property worth more than C$25,000 on Form T1161.
• Elect on Form T1244 to defer paying the tax (no interest) until you actually sell the asset.
• Your TFSA loses its tax shelter once you’re non-resident — no new room accrues, and contributions made while non-resident are penalised 1% per month. An RRSP keeps its tax deferral, but withdrawals as a non-resident face Canadian withholding tax.

Healthcare in Australia for Canadians

Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare) is one of the best in the world for those who can access it. The critical difference for Canadians: Canada does NOT have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. Unlike British or Irish movers, who access Medicare from day one via their RHCA, Canadians on temporary visas receive no Medicare coverage and must hold private health insurance for the whole of their temporary stay.

Medicare access by visa type:

Private health insurance costs (AUD/month, single, 2026):

• Basic hospital cover: AUD $100–150/month — covers public hospital as a private patient; no extras (dental, optical, physio)
• Average individual policy: AUD $160–250/month — hospital + basic extras
• Comprehensive cover: AUD $300+/month — full hospital + major dental + optical

Major Australian private insurers: Medibank Private, Bupa, HCF, nib, Australian Unity, CBHS. Compare at privatehealth.gov.au (government comparison site).

After You Get PR: enrolling in Medicare

On the day your 189 or 190 permanent residence visa is granted, you are eligible to enrol in Medicare. Visit a Services Australia (Medicare) service centre with your passport and PR visa grant letter. Your Medicare card arrives by post in 2–4 weeks. Once enrolled:

• Bulk-billing GPs: Many GPs bulk-bill (no out-of-pocket cost) for standard consultations. Find them at healthdirect.gov.au
• Public hospitals: Free treatment as a public patient
• PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme): Subsidised prescriptions — most common drugs cost AUD $7–32 with a Medicare card
• Medicare Levy Surcharge: If your Australian taxable income exceeds AUD $97,000 (single) and you do NOT have private hospital cover, you pay an additional 1–1.5% tax surcharge

Finding Housing in Australia as a Canadian

Australia’s rental market is among the tightest in the English-speaking world — vacancy rates in Sydney and Melbourne sit below 2% as of mid-2026. Most Canadians start with a furnished short-term rental for 1–2 months while they sort their TFN and bank account, then apply for a standard 12-month lease once they have Australian documentation.

Rental Costs by City (2026)

Where to Search for Rentals

• realestate.com.au — Australia’s dominant portal. All major agencies list here. Set up saved searches with email alerts — properties rent within 24–72 hours of listing in competitive cities.
• Domain.com.au — second largest; strong in NSW and VIC. Better filters for furnished properties and corporate leases.
• Flatmates.com.au — share accommodation and single rooms. Good for solo arrivals needing a short-term room while searching for a full apartment.
• Gumtree.com.au — private landlord listings and short-term sublets. Useful for bridge accommodation on arrival before signing a standard lease.
• Facebook Groups — “Canadians in Sydney”, “Canadian Expats Melbourne” and similar — furnished sublets and referrals before listings hit the major portals.

Your Australia Skilled Migration Timeline

The 189/190 Skilled Independent route has three long-lead items you should start at the same time: your skills assessment (10–24 weeks via your assessing authority), your IELTS or PTE Academic result, and your RCMP police certificate. Set your target arrival date in the Documents section below to activate “start by” timers for each item.

1. 1
   Now: Apply for Skills Assessment

   Submit to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation — Engineers Australia, ACS (IT/ICT), AHPRA (healthcare), VETASSESS (most other professionals), or CPA/CA ANZ (accountants). Include employment evidence and certified copies of your degree. Allow 10–24 weeks. Your occupation must appear on the relevant skilled occupation list for the 189, or your state’s list for the 190.

2. 2
   Month −3: Book IELTS Academic or PTE Academic

   Register at ielts.org or pearsonpte.com. Target IELTS 7.0 in all 4 bands for Proficient English (10 points); 8.0+ in all 4 bands for Superior English (20 points). Results are valid for 3 years. As a native English speaker you should clear Proficient easily — but aim for Superior for the extra 10 points.

3. 3
   Month −3: RCMP Police Certificate

   Order an RCMP certified (fingerprint) criminal record check. Australian visas require a police certificate from every country you have lived in for 12+ months. Unlike Thailand-style visas, Australia does not require it to be apostilled or legalised — you upload it directly to Home Affairs. Allow several weeks (fingerprint checks take longer than name-based ones); it is valid for 12 months.

4. 4
   Variable: Lodge EOI via SkillSelect

   Once your skills assessment and IELTS/PTE results are in hand and you meet the 65-point minimum, submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Your points score and occupation determine when Home Affairs issues an invitation. Monitor the SkillSelect invitation round results monthly to track competitive scores for your occupation.

5. 5
   Variable: Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA)

   Home Affairs issues invitations regularly. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application — all documents, including your medical examination, must be completed within this window. Do not lodge your EOI unless you are ready to move quickly on invitation.

6. 6
   ITA Day: Book Medical Examination Immediately

   Book with a Home Affairs-approved panel physician via the office finder. It includes a standard physical examination, chest X-ray, and blood tests. Results are submitted directly to Home Affairs and are valid for 12 months. Book on the same day you receive your ITA.

7. 7
   ITA+60 Days: Lodge Visa Application via ImmiAccount

   Submit your complete application at ImmiAccount. Required: positive skills assessment, IELTS/PTE result, RCMP police certificate, medical certificate, certified passport copies, and employment evidence for all points claimed. Application charge: AUD $6,135 (189 primary applicant, from 1 July 2026).

8. 8
   Month ITA+5 to ITA+14: Visa Grant & Arrival

   189 visa processing is currently 5–14 months for straightforward applications. Home Affairs publishes median processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visa-processing-times. You can remain in Canada during processing. The 189 visa is valid for 5 years from grant; you must make an initial entry within that period to activate your PR status. Confirm your departure date with the CRA to fix your non-residency for the departure tax.

Documents Needed for Australia Skilled Migration

Three items require the longest lead time and should be started at the same time: your skills assessment (150+ days), IELTS/PTE (90 days from booking), and your RCMP police certificate (allow several weeks). Set your target arrival date below to see when to start each.

After You Arrive: First Steps in Australia

With PR in hand, you can work for any employer in any location, enrol in Medicare on arrival, and begin building toward citizenship. Your first week involves four priority tasks: TFN application, Medicare enrolment, bank account activation, and driving licence conversion.

Week 1 Priority Tasks

1. Apply for your Tax File Number (TFN). Apply online at ato.gov.au or via myGov on day 1. TFNs are issued within 28 days by mail; some receive them sooner via myGov. Give your TFN to your employer immediately — without it, your employer must withhold tax at 47% (top marginal rate).
2. Enrol in Medicare (PR holders only). Visit any Services Australia office with your passport and proof of PR status (visa grant letter). Your Medicare card arrives by mail within 2–4 weeks. Use your enrolment receipt for bulk-billing GP visits in the meantime.
3. Activate your bank account. If you pre-opened a CBA account, visit any branch with your passport to fully activate it. Otherwise, open with CBA, ANZ, NAB, or Westpac — all have newcomer programs.
4. Register for myGov. Create a myGov account at my.gov.au and link your ATO, Medicare, and Services Australia records. This is your primary portal for tax returns, Medicare claims, and government services.
5. Get an Australian SIM card. Telstra has the widest coverage, especially in regional areas. Optus is strong in capital cities and costs less. Woolworths Mobile (on the Telstra network) is cheapest for heavy data use.
6. Convert your Canadian driving licence. See the state-by-state table below. Start this within 3 months of arriving in most states.

Driving Licence Conversion (Post-EDR Removal, 2026)

The Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) scheme, which previously allowed many overseas licence holders to convert without tests, was removed by every state and territory in early 2026. Canadian drivers now follow each state’s standard overseas licence exchange process — most require at least a knowledge (road rules) test. Remember Australia drives on the left, the opposite of Canada.

Requirements may change — verify with your state’s transport authority before applying. Driving licences are administered by each state; the Department of Home Affairs does not handle them.

Path to Australian Citizenship

Frequently Asked Questions