A Guide To Working Holiday Canada from Australia

Key Takeaways

• For the working holiday program, Australians receive an open work permit. This means you can work for (almost) any employer – including yourself, if you want to start or continue running your own business. 
• The application process is reasonably straightforward and fast for Australian citizens. 
• With some exceptions, Australians can only participate in the IEC working holiday program once for up to 24 months.

What is a Working Holiday Canada from Australia?

Australian citizens can participate in the Working Holiday program in Canada, which is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative under the Australia–Canada Youth Mobility Agreement.

Working Holiday in Canada provides Australians aged 18–35 with an Open Work Permit for up to 24 months, allowing them to live, travel, and work in Canada without needing a job offer in advance.

Under the IEC program, Australians can not only apply for the Working Holiday Stream, but they can also apply for the Young Professionals or the International Co-op options.

How Long Can Australians Stay In Canada On A Working Holiday Visa?

Australians can participate in the working holiday category of the International Experience Canada program only once, for up to 24 months. But this doesn’t mean you can only stay in Canada for 24 months through the IEC program; As an Australian citizen, you have other options: 

• If this is your first participation in the working holiday stream, you can participate a second time, but for the International co-op stream.
• If you have already participated in the working holiday stream, you can participate a second time, but using a Recognized Organization (RO) 
• If you participated in IEC before 2015, you may be eligible for another participation of up to 24 months in any of the three categories.

How to Apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa As An Australian?

1. Check your Eligibility

Citizenship and Passport Requirements

• Must be an Australian citizen.
• Must have a valid Australian passport for the duration of your stay in Canada.
• Note: Your work permit in Canada cannot be valid longer than your passport. So if your passport expires within the next 2-3 years, it’s worthwhile renewing before applying for your IEC work permit. 

Age

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 35.

Financial Requirements

• Minimum of CAN$2,500 to help cover expenses during your stay.
• Must either have a round-trip ticket before departure or demonstrate the financial means to purchase an outbound ticket at the end of your stay.

Health Insurance

• Must have valid IEC-eligible health insurance for the entire duration of the stay. More on this below. 

Admissibility and Dependants

• Must not be inadmissible to Canada.
• Cannot be accompanied by dependents.

Note that in addition to the working holiday category, Australians have two other IEC program options too: Young Professionals and International Co-op. Click the links to learn more about those programs.

Unsure if you’re eligible? Take our immigration quiz.

2. Wait for IEC season to open to create your IEC Profile

Check the official IRCC website and create a profile. You will have to provide some personal details and select the Working Holiday Visa category.

3. Enter the Pool

Once your profile is created, you’ll be entered into a pool of candidates. The selection from this pool is usually done randomly, almost every week during the opening season for applications.

Since the draws are random, you may stay in the pool for a while before receiving an invitation to apply (ITA). 

In other words, it’s wise to enter the pool early if you want to come to Canada. 

Note: You can only submit one profile. You can’t submit more to get a better shot at receiving an invitation. You also can’t submit multiple profiles targeting different programs (ie. working holiday and young professional) at the same time. 

4. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you are selected from the pool, you will receive an ITA. Note that this is NOT your visa but an invitation to submit your formal application.

You’ll have to move quickly once invited, as deadlines start right away. More on that below.

If you’re a visual learner, check out our video guide to applying for Canada’s IEC: 

5. Prepare Your Application

Gather all your documents:

• Valid Australian passport
• Proof of funds (CAD 2,500)
• A return travel ticket (or additional funds to cover one)
• Police certificates: If you’re from Queensland or Victoria (or you have ever lived there), you’ll also need to provide a driving history alongside your police certificate. Learn more about How to get a police certificate from Australia.
• Biometrics, if required. If so, you’ll need to visit a biometrics centre in Melbourne, Sydney, or Perth to submit your fingerprints. You will receive a letter about this after you submit your application and pay your fees, so you won’t need to submit this with your initial application. 

It’s worth noting that you only have ten days to decide if you’re going to accept your invitation to apply and, if so, you will have twenty days to apply online for your permit. So it’s helpful to gather as many of these documents in advance. 

6. Submit Your Application and Pay the Fees

Complete the application form, attach all required documents, and pay the applicable fees.

7. Wait for Processing and Decision

After submission, your application will be processed. The processing time can vary.

8. Receive the Work Permit

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a Port of Entry (PoE) Letter of Introduction.

9. Travel To Canada

With your Port of Entry (POE) Letter in hand, grab the rest of your IEC documents, including your health insurance policy, and travel to Canada to receive your work permit.

Is IEC Health Insurance Mandatory for Australians?

Yes, IEC health insurance is mandatory for Australians on a Working Holiday visa. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires proof of IEC-compliant insurance covering your entire stay when you enter Canada.

This insurance must include medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation and is different from standard travel insurance. If your policy covers less time than your intended stay, your work permit may be issued for a shorter period.

Please refer to our guides to learn the difference between Health Insurance for Working Holiday and Travel Insurance, and when you might need both.

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Best Quote Travel Insurance is available to travellers currently in:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Canada
• The UK
• Europe
• The rest of the world. 

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Letz Travel policies are available to people in:

• Australia
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Jobs in Canada for Australians on a Working Holiday

Australians participating in the Working Holiday program receive an open work permit, which means you can work for almost any employer in Canada without needing a job offer before arrival.

There are generally no restrictions on the type of job you can do, except for professions that require professional licensing in Canada, such as doctors, nurses, or lawyers. Many Australians find work in hospitality, tourism, seasonal industries, or office roles.

You can also search for jobs before arriving in Canada using online job boards, networking platforms, and recruitment agencies. For detailed tips on how to prepare, where to look for jobs, and alternative work permit options if you do not qualify for IEC, read our full guide on working in Canada as an Australian.

Further Resources for IEC Candidates from Australia

• Learn about how to use a Recognized Organization to find a Job for the Working Holiday Program
• Check your chances of receiving a Working Holiday Visa in Canada.
• Learn more about the latest IEC draws and pool updates
• Increase your chances by applying for the best IEC program for your profile. Read our article about  Which IEC Category is Right for me?
• Improving your chances: Can You Enter More Than One IEC Pool at the Same Time? Find out here.

Other Immigration Pathways For Australians

There are other pathways for Australian citizens to immigrate to Canada.

• Express Entry, is ideal for skilled workers with professional qualifications and work experience in in-demand sectors,
• The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canada’s provinces to select candidates who meet specific local labor market needs.
• Business Immigration programs, that allow entrepreneurs to start or invest in Canadian businesses,
• Student Visas,
• Family Sponsorship Programs, that allow citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their family members.