Moving to Toronto from Australia: visas, first weeks and where to live

Toronto is one of the easiest big cities in the world for an Aussie to land in, as long as you sort the visa first and respect the winter.

The short version

• Most Australians aged 18 to 35 come on International Experience Canada (IEC), which gives up to 24 months of work rights [1]. Older movers usually need a job offer and an employer-backed permit.
• Flying in as a visitor needs an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), which costs CA$7 [3]. Work permit holders get their permit from a border officer on arrival [2].
• Get your Social Insurance Number (SIN) in week one. You can't be paid properly without it [4].
• Canada isn't on Australia's list of reciprocal health care countries [6], so private insurance from day one is not optional.
• Your Australian licence works for 60 days after you become a resident. Then you need an Ontario one [7].

Which visa gets you there?

Canada doesn't have a single "move here" visa for Australians. Your age and job situation decide the route.

IEC is where most young Aussies start. You create a profile, go into a pool and wait for an invitation, and the fees add up to roughly CA$370 for a Working Holiday once you count the IEC fee, the open work permit holder fee and biometrics [2]. Our separate guide on working holiday and work permits in Canada walks through every step.

Over 35? The options narrow a lot. Your best bet is usually an employer with a Toronto office who wants you, or an internal transfer if you already work for a multinational. Talk to a licensed Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer before you resign anywhere.

Before you leave Australia

A bit of prep in Australia saves you weeks in Toronto.

1. Check your passport expiry. An IEC work permit can't run past your passport's expiry date [1], so renew first if it's getting short.
2. Buy health insurance for the whole stay. IEC requires cover for your entire stay, including repatriation, and you may be asked to show it at the border [1].
3. Bring proof of funds. Print a recent bank statement showing at least CA$2,500 [1].
4. Order a driving experience letter from your state road authority if you plan to drive in Ontario. It can speed up getting a full licence [7].
5. Sort your Australian admin. Tax residency, super, Medicare and your mail all need a decision. Our leaving Australia checklist covers the lot.
6. Book temporary housing. Two to four weeks of short-term accommodation gives you time to view rentals in person.

Your first fortnight in Toronto

You'll most likely land at Toronto Pearson. The UP Express train runs to Union Station downtown, or the TTC network takes over from there.

Week one

• Check your work permit at the airport. The border officer prints it on the spot. Check the dates and conditions before you walk away, because errors are easier to fix there [2].
• Apply for your SIN. Online is fastest, with a confirmation in about five business days. Temporary residents get a SIN starting with 9, which expires with your permit [4]. You can start work as soon as you've applied.
• Open a bank account. The big Canadian banks all have newcomer accounts. Bring your passport and work permit.
• Get a local SIM. Canadian mobile plans are pricey by Australian standards, so compare prepaid and postpaid deals before signing a two-year contract.
• Load a card for transit. Adult TTC fares are CA$3.30 on PRESTO or a tap of your bank card, and after 47 paid trips in a calendar month the rest of the month is free [8].

Week two

• Start apartment viewings (see below and our renting guide).
• Check whether you qualify for OHIP, Ontario's public health plan. Work permit holders generally qualify only if they work full-time for an Ontario employer for at least six months, and you must also meet a residence test [5]. Many working holiday makers won't qualify straight away, so keep your private cover.
• Find a walk-in clinic and pharmacy near home before you need them.

Health, tax and the boring bits

Health

Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with 11 countries, and Canada isn't one of them [6]. Medicare won't help you in Toronto. If you do get OHIP, there's no longer a waiting period for eligible people [5], but dental, prescriptions and physio usually sit outside it. Many Toronto employers offer extended health benefits, so ask about them at the offer stage.

Tax

Once you work in Canada you'll file a Canadian tax return. Your Australian tax residency is a separate question. Read our guide on Australian tax residency after moving before your first Australian tax time comes around.

Driving

New Ontario residents can use their Australian licence for 60 days. Australia is on Ontario's list of jurisdictions eligible for licence exchange, and you apply in person at a DriveTest centre or the ServiceOntario office at Bay and College. Bring your original licence and proof of driving experience in English, and expect a vision test [7]. Most downtown Torontonians manage fine without a car.

Where to live in Toronto

Toronto is a city of neighbourhoods, and your choice shapes your daily life more than in most Australian cities. Here's how Aussies tend to sort themselves.

Two practical rules: live within walking distance of a subway station or a frequent streetcar line, and visit in person before you sign. A flat that looks charming in July can be a long, icy walk in February.

Winter, time zones and settling in

Toronto winters are long and properly cold. Snow usually arrives by December and hangs around into March. Buy a real winter coat, waterproof boots and gloves once you arrive; locals know what works and the shops stock it. The upside is a summer of patios, festivals and Lake Ontario beaches that feels like a reward.

Calls home take planning. Toronto is 14 to 16 hours behind Sydney and Melbourne depending on daylight saving at each end, so early mornings and evenings in Toronto are your window.

You won't be the only Australian in town. The Australian Consulate-General sits at 175 Bloor Street East and offers passport and notarial services by appointment [9]. For the social side, Aussie rules footy clubs, cricket and pub meetups make it easy to find your people. Join Cooee Canada, our Facebook group for Australians in Canada, to ask questions before you land and find a crew once you do.

Sources

1. International Experience Canada: Eligibility by country – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2. International Experience Canada: About the program – IRCC
3. Electronic travel authorization (eTA) – IRCC
4. SIN for temporary residents in Canada – Service Canada
5. Apply for OHIP and get a health card – Government of Ontario
6. Reciprocal healthcare agreements – Victorian Department of Health
7. Exchange an out-of-province driver's licence – Government of Ontario
8. Fares and passes – Toronto Transit Commission
9. Contact us – Australian High Commission, Canada

Keep reading

• Working holiday and work permits in Canada for Australians
• Renting in Toronto as an Australian
• Cost of living in Toronto vs Sydney and Melbourne
• Leaving Australia: the checklist before you go