Moving to Canada from Australia
With its famously liberal mindset, vibrant cities and spectacular natural beauty, Canada is one of the world’s favourite places to relocate to. In fact, Canada came third in HSBC's 2019 Expat Explorer Survey.
Similar in size and population density to Australia, Canada has radically different landscapes to discover. The deep waters of the Great Lakes, the rugged drama of the Rocky Mountains, the awe-inspiring power of the Niagara Falls, the frozen wilderness of the north – Canada is blessed with mile upon mile of outstanding scenery. Trade surfing for snowboarding and beach barbecues for roaring log fires as you embrace your exciting new life in the Great White North.
We promise you'll never tire of views like this
Living in Canada can be pretty much anything you want it to be. Want to study or work in a dynamic city? Toronto and Montréal are ready and waiting. Love the idea of combining urban life with all the fun of the great outdoors? Vancouver could be the place for you. Fancy raising your family in a small city brimming with culture? Try Quebec.
And of course, if your occupation allows (or you’re looking for a tranquil spot to retire in), you could even go wild and make your new home in a rural setting surrounded by all that beautiful nature.
Whatever your reason for wanting to move to Canada, we’ve got all the information you need to begin your new life.
If you're ready to make the move, just fill in this form to receive free shipping quotes.
Popular Canadian cities vs Australian cities
Yes, some of these cities may have climates as different as chalk and cheese – but you’d also be surprised at their similarities.
Toronto vs Sydney
Both of these large cities are buzzing with life. From their international residents and thriving financial districts to their happening bars, clubs and restaurants, both Toronto and Sydney have that exciting urban atmosphere you only find in the world’s most vibrant cities.
Montréal vs Melbourne
Culture vultures will find plenty to compare between these diverse cities. With their lively arts scenes, packed festival calendars and devotion to all things foodie, it’s impossible to be bored in either city. What’s extra exciting about Montréal is its French culture, which influences everything from the food markets to the architecture.
Calgary vs Adelaide
If you love Adelaide’s mix of cosmopolitan city life and friendly country feel, you’re sure to love Calgary, where affluent skyscrapers exist side-by-side with a strong rodeo culture. It’s even nicknamed “Cowtown”. Both cities are surrounded by vast and beautiful countryside to explore on the weekends.
House prices and renting
As with all large, developed countries, house prices in Canada vary massively according to location. Prices are higher in the cities and lower in rural areas. Overall however, house prices are lower than in Australia – with an average city centre apartment costing 30-40% less than it would back home. Do bear in mind that your salary and spending power may also be lower in Canada.
Renting makes sense in some of the more expensive cities. In Toronto and Vancouver, renting is far more affordable than buying a home and is likely to give you a better quality of life with easy access to the thriving downtown areas. In Ottawa and Montréal, however, real estate is more affordable with some great family homes on the market.
Becoming a Citizen of USA, New Zealand and Canada
Canada’s immigration rules allow Australian citizens to visit without needing to apply for a visa. However, if you want to stay in the country for longer than six months you will need to apply for a visa.
If you are planning to work in Canada, you will need to apply for a Canadian working visa. Alternatively, if your main purpose for moving to Canada will be to study, you should apply for a student visa. You can find all the details that you need on the Canadian government website.
If you end up putting down permanent roots in Canada, you might want to consider applying for Canadian citizenship. To be eligible you must:
- Have held permanent resident status for at least two years
- Have spent at least three of the previous four years living in Canada
- Be over 18
- Have a clean criminal record
- Speak either English or French fluently
- Pass the Canadian citizenship test, which covers Canadian history and culture
Application fees are currently A$98 to establish the right of citizenship and A$522 to grant citizenship. If you have to renounce your Australian citizenship, this will cost an additional fee of A$205.
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Job market
In general, the employment market is healthy – especially in the major cities of Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver and Calgary.
English-French bilingual workers are in high demand, particularly in Quebec, so French fluency will always help your job search. Canada is also rich in natural resources, with potentially lucrative careers to be found in the energy industry.
Toronto is the best place to find jobs in the financial and business sectors, while Vancouver is known to be a hub of tech innovation. Check out Canada’s list of High Demand Occupations to find the sectors most in need of workers. If your occupation is on the list, this could also fast-track your work visa application. The list currently includes human resource managers, court reporters and meteorologists – to name but a few!
Workers in Canada often face long hours, but progressive childcare policies and an abundance of national holidays soften the blow.
Transferring money to Canada from Australia
If you’re thinking of moving to Canada, you’ll probably need to convert your money into Canadian dollars.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with Wise, an easy-to-use international money transfer service which uses the real exchange rate, and charges low fees.
Fill out Wise’s form below to see how they could help.
Niagara Falls will take your breath away
Education
Canada’s state education system is internationally recognised to be of a high quality. Each province has devolved responsibility for its education system, so there may be differences according to your location.
Literacy rates in both Australia and Canada are impressively high and there are many similarities between the two countries’ approach to learning. One thing to bear in mind is their different school calendar, with the Canadian school year running from September to June. Canada also has both English and French-speaking schools, which can be a great way of improving children’s language skills.
Canada has around 100 universities to choose from, including some of the world’s top institutions. The five top-ranking universities in Canada are:
- McGill University, Montréal (currently ranked 30th in the world)
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- University of Alberta
- Université de Montréal
Things to do
Canada may be most famous for its staggering natural beauty, but its cities are also packed with cultural attractions.
Art lovers should head to the National Gallery of Canada in the capital city of Ottawa. Here you’ll find a fascinating collection of Canadian art, as well as exhibits from top international artists. History buffs can discover Canada’s rich heritage at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, while sports fans can’t miss the chance to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame for an initiation into Canada’s favourite sport.
Families will love exploring the interactive fun at Science World in Vancouver, meeting the Mounties at Fort Calgary or journeying back in time at the grand castle, La Citadelle de Quebec. And that’s really just the tip of the iceberg!
Food and drink
Canadian cuisine is eclectic, as you might expect from such a diverse country. Favourite ingredients, of course, include maple syrup and bacon (which are amazing when eaten together), but dining out in Canada’s cities is a truly international experience.
During the harsh winters, game meat and potato-based dishes are popular. Make sure you try poutine, an unlikely but delicious combination of French fries, gravy and cheese curds – perfect if you’ve indulged in one too many beers the night before. Many Canadian also embrace healthy eating to fuel their active, outdoor lifestyles. Sushi is massive here thanks to the tasty Canadian fish on offer, and there is a growing vegan movement.
Nightlife
Canadians like to let their hair down just as much as the Aussies. For one thing, cosying up in a friendly bar is a great way to stay warm in winter! The big cities are the home of the best nightlife but smaller towns very much have their own thing going on too. The remote destination of St. John’s in Newfoundland, for example, boasts the highest number of pubs per capita in the whole country.
Montréal is renowned for being a liberal city that never sleeps, with all-night raging happening every day of the week. It has a particularly vibrant LGBT+ district and an endless choice of dance clubs featuring music from techno to jazz. The nation’s capital, Ottawa, has a cosmopolitan selection of bars and venues, with an excellent theatre and arts scene.
Vancouver is the place to go for funky cocktail bars and exclusive clubs, although you can also find more laid-back nightlife offerings in the Kitsilano neighbourhood. Toronto has the best in live music, from intimate basement venues to huge arenas.
Summary
By now, you should be ready to make the leap into your new life in Canada.
So many wonderful experiences await you in this North American haven of liberalism – and if you want some help making the move, just fill in this form to receive free shipping quotes.