← Travel and gap year

North America

Canada

The Canadian IEC Working Holiday is a 2-year open work permit for Australians 18-35. Quotas are oversubscribed; profile early in the year.

Currency

CAD

1 AUD = 0.89 CAD (mid-market, 2026-05-21)

Cost of living

95% of Sydney

Working Holiday Visa for Australians

International Experience Canada (Working Holiday)

Age 18-35 | up to 24 months

Smartraveller

Check live advisory

Emergency: 911

Working Holiday Visa

Scheme
International Experience Canada (Working Holiday)
Visa class
IEC
Eligible age
18-35
Max stay
24 months

Source: www.canada.ca

Tourist or short-stay entry

Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)

Up to 6 months. Work rights: none.

Australians need an eTA (CAD 7) to fly into Canada for tourism.

Source: www.canada.ca

Highlights

  • Open work permit (no employer sponsorship needed) for 24 months.
  • Ski resort jobs in Whistler, Banff and Tremblant; long summer season in BC.
  • High wages are realistic: a season at a ski resort can net AUD 25k-40k.
  • Family-friendly culture; many Australians extend or migrate from IEC.

Watch outs

  • Annual quota applies: profile must be picked from the pool. Submit on day 1 of the season.
  • Winter is genuinely cold; minus 30C in Alberta is common.
  • Healthcare varies by province; some require a wait period for residency.
  • Banking can be slow for newcomers; bring multiple ID types.

Money tips

  • Open a Tangerine, Scotiabank Student or RBC account; most major banks will accept IEC permits.
  • Tipping is mandatory (15-20%); restaurant wages assume tip income.
  • File a Canadian tax return even on a working holiday; CRA refunds are common.
  • Cell plans are expensive; Public Mobile and Lucky Mobile are the cheapest carriers.

Typical costs (AUD)

Hostel bed per night
$50
Budget meal
$22
Mid-range meal
$40
Beer (bar)
$10
Public transport day pass
$12

Indicative only. Tourist-zone prices are usually 50-100% higher than local prices.

Practical basics

Power plug
Type A / B (NEMA 1-15 / 5-15)
Drives on
Right
Emergency number
911

Sources

Last updated 2026-05-21.

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