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Move to Canada from Australia

A Complete Guide

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Are you planning to move from Australia to Canada? This page will help you with everything you need to know, from moving costs and documents tofree removalist quotes. Start your adventure to the Great White North in no time.

How much does it cost to move to Canada from Australia?

Money, money, money makes the world go round, that clinking, clanking sound. Naturally, moving to Canada from Australia is no exception to this. Thus, it’s good to be aware of the cost. For an average 3-bed house move from Australia to Canada, you can expect to pay between $12,000 – $16,200.

As money is so important, the first step toward saving money on your move to Canada from Australia is to understand what contributes to the calculations. Luckily, we have an entire page dedicated to international removal costs, so get reading and see how you could save money!

If you like more detailed costs, then behold the table below! It indicates the average moving to Canada from Australia shipping costs, for various-sized properties:

Property SizeTimeAverage Cost
1-bedroom house8 – 11 weeks$5,100 – $7,100
2-bedroom house6 – 8 weeks$6,900 – $9,300
3-bedroom house6 – 8 weeks$12,000 – $16,200
4-bedroom house6 – 8 weeks$12,900 – $17,300
5-bedroom house6 -8 weeks$18,200 – $24,500

Note: These figures are just estimates. The only sure way of getting accurate removalist costs when moving to Canada from Australia is to request free quotes from us.

Top Removalists to Canada

Are you searching for removalists to Canada? You’re in the right place. Take a look at the 3 best international removal companies from Australia to Canada:

1. OSS World Wide Movers

2. Allied Pickfords

3. Palmers Relocation

Find a removalist for moving to Canada!

Like any sane person, you probably don’t want to spend hours contacting over 3 dozen removalists just to find one or two that can help you move to Canada from Australia, which sounds as frustrating as it is time-consuming.

Fortunately, Sirelo is here to help keep your mind intact and your voice from going hoarse. We’ll match you with up to 5 removalists for your move to Canada. With our free quotes, you can compare companies and save money, all in less than a day. Just click below to start!

Moving to Canada?
Select the size of your household to receive free quotes for your move!

Do Australians need a visa to move to Canada?

The short answer is yes. Unless you are planning on moving to Canada from Australia for under six months, and do not intend on working while you are there, then a visa is required. However, things are not completely black and white (sensing a theme here?). Exactly what type of visa you will need will depend on the intention behind relocating to Canada.

  • Student visa. If you are moving to Canada to study.
  • Working holiday visa. For young people who want to live and work in Canada for up to two years.
  • Skilled worker. This is a little more complicated, but in essence, if you are perceived to be able to contribute substantially to the Canadian economy and workforce you may be eligible.

This is merely a brief rundown of options. To get into the real nitty-gritty of visa requirements for Australians moving to Canada, visit the government website and fill out the eligibility form.

Moving to Canada

How to move to Canada: A checklist

As well as being physically tough, moving to Canada from Australia is a mental marathon. Given that you are crossing oceans, it’s vital that nothing is forgotten. Therefore, we put together this moving to Canada checklist. Follow this, and your dreams of maple syrup and poutine are well and truly in sight!

✔️ Important documents

With a move on the cards, it’s time to wrangle up all that paperwork you’ve left strewn around the housed or stashed in some corner for protection. Since these documents are so vital, be sure to keep them safe but also accessible. Furthermore, consider creating duplicates just in case!

  • Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Medical Documentation (including dental and immunizations)
  • University Degree(s) and qualification(s)
  • Work Permits

✔️ Choosing a removalist

As your time to move from Australia to Canada approaches, you best start thinking about which removalist you’ll trust with your beloved belongings. It’s best not to let it to just anyone, so why not why choose one of the top international removalists in Australia for your move!

✔️ Packing

Since the last thing you’ll need before you move is packing stress, be sure to start packing at least 1 month before your move to Canada from Australia. Furthermore, if you find yourself in need of useful tips and packing tricks, check out our expert packing guide!

✔️ Open a bank account

Although the Australian dollar and the Canadian dollar hold almost the same value, that doesn’t mean bank notes showing off Edith Cowan and Sir John Monash will be accepted! That is why we strongly recommend opening a local bank account when moving to Canada.

If you aren’t yet an expert on Canadian banks, start by exploring the ‘Big Five’:

Did you know? Canadians call the one dollar coin the loonie. Note this down if you want to blend into the crowd 😉.

✔️ Tax and superannuation

When it comes time to have fun, nobody mentions taxes. Alas, here we are. However, while it might be dull to talk about taxes, as you’re moving to Canada from Australia, it could never be more pertinent!

For Australia moving to Canada, there are two possibilities based on whether to intend to remain abroad permanently or temporarily. This affects your tax residency status in Australia and whether you may still need to file a tax return. For more information on this situation, you can visit the Australian government’s page on this issue.

One other thing that might pique your interest is superannuation. While your tax situation might have twists and turns, your superannuation does not. It remains subject to the same rules and can’t be accessed until retirement, or another stipulation is fulfilled.

✔️ Sort out your healthcare

With the sixth-highest life expectancy in the world, the Canadian health system must be doing something right! However, to take advantage of their world-class healthcare system, there are a few things to organise upon moving to Canada from Australia.

  • If you are on a temporary visa, then bad luck. You will have to take out private health insurance as you are not eligible for the state scheme.
  • However, if you are a permanent resident, then using the state-funded Canadian health scheme is a no-brainer.

Note: It can take up to three months for your health insurance application to be processed, so get this rocking ASAP. In the interim, be sure you have private insurance.

✔️ Bringing any pets with you?

Got a perfect pooch? Or a fancy feline friend? If you’re moving to Canada with a pet, there are a few steps to getting this organised:

  • Make sure your pet can withstand the long flight. Peanuts and pretzels won’t do!
  • They will need an international health certificate
  • A printed history of vet records
  • Have been vaccinated against rabies, with a certificate to prove it

If you get this all sorted, all you need to do now is get them some warm attire. Canadian winters are no joke: in 1947, in the village of Snag in the Yukon, temperatures of -63C were recorded. That’s hardcore for any Australian, not least your beloved pets!

✔️ What about your car?

First for the good news: moving from Australia to Canada with a car is indeed possible using a depot-to-depot service. The not-so-good news is that it can be a little bit pricey as it will take up a significant amount of room and therefore increase your container shipping costs. Therefore, selling your car and purchasing a new one on arrival is not a bad idea.

However, if you and your four-wheels can’t bear to part ways, there are a couple of criteria to consider:

  • Either you will have had to have already lived abroad for 12 months or provide evidence of your new lease/ rental agreement.
  • Ideally, the vehicle should have been manufactured for sale in Canada or be older than 15 years (a real golden oldie!).

Fun fact: In Nunavut in Northern Canada, licence plates are shaped like polar bears!

Moving to Canada - Toronto

Living and Workingin the Great White North

While Canada and Australia are somewhat similar in population size and speak the same language (for the most part, eh), the similarities stop there. Swap the Outback for the Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes, and lovely BBQ weather for cold, snowy weather in winter. This section is dedicated to helping you picture what life will look like once moving to Canada is complete.

The cost of living in Canada

We hate banging on about money, but in this instance, it’s good news! On average, the cost of living and renting are lower in Canada compared to Australia. Ka-ching! Thus, your savings will stretch further, however, salaries are on average lower. So, maybe apply the brakes on your spending.

To give you a better idea of how to budget when moving to Canada, we have created this table which compares the cost-of-living metrics between the Great White North and our Land Down Under.

MetricAustralian AverageCanadian Average
Monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in the city centre$1,870$1,725
Basic utilities$198$190
0.5L of draught beer$8.00$6.95
12 eggs$5.01$4.24
Cappuccino$4.68$5.00
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$16$16.60

Fun fact: One-tenth of the world’s forests are situated in Canada. So, if you are already feeling overwhelmed, don’t panic – you will have plenty of natural beauty to bask in once you have moved to Canada.

Of course, how much you actually end up spending will depend on where exactly in Canada you choose to live. The following areas are considered the most expensive, so avoid these hotspots if you are moving to Canada on a budget:

  • Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • Victoria, British Columbia
  • Calgary, Alberta
  • Hamilton-Burlington, Ontario

Even if Calgary is out of your price range to settle, make sure you visit and experience their famous ‘Chinooks’- a weather phenomenon that can raise temperatures as much as ten degrees in a matter of minutes!

Working in Canada

What do you call a sophisticated American? Canadian! It is a country that oozes class, not least in the professional world. With unemployment rates the lowest they have been in four decades, moving to Canada from Australia could not be more appealing.

While jobs are aplenty, even for expats, you won’t get anywhere without a little hard work. Therefore, if you are still seeking employment upon moving to Canada, start by checking out some of the following portals:

Ready for your move to Canada?

First of all, give yourself a pack on the back; moving to Canada from Australia isn’t for the faint-hearted, and just by making it through this page your one step closer to your Canuck dreams!

Before you go (and start bulking out your winter wardrobe!) consider exploring the Sirelo website further for any additional moving to Canada queries you might have. In particular, the following pages we have linked below might be of great use to you.

For now, walk the Green Mile: a Canadian idiom that means move towards the inevitable– Canada is calling!