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Working in Canada
Capital: Ottawa
Largest city: Toronto
Population: 33.5 million (2011 census)
Currency: Canadian Dollar
Language: English / French
Canada is a North American country that shares a border to the south with the United States of America. It is a very diverse nation that has developed through substantial worldwide immigration since the late 18th century.
Starting with Toronto, the country’s largest city in terms of population and its financial centre, working holidaymakers will find a thriving city known for its unique, easy-going neighbourhoods.
On the west coast, Vancouver is the largest city and has for several years been regarded as one of the most livable cities in the world for expats. Vancouver is also the gateway to some of the country’s greatest snow fields in places like Whistler.
Canada offers a range of ski resorts across the country where spectacular scenery, charming villages and consistent snow is the norm. Even if snow isn’t your thing, Canada’s major cities are renowned as some of the most sophisticated and developed in the world.
Working holidaymakers can also expect diversity in Canada. It is a bilingual country, with English and French spoken throughout. While English is Canada’s primary language, French is the dominant tongue in the province of Quebec.
For reasons like these Canada is a major target for Australians planning a Working Holiday.
An enormous land mass – even bigger than Australia – Canada provides a broad range of opportunities through its modern and diverse cities and recreational activities.
Canada offers one of the more flexible Working Holiday arrangements for Australian travelers – both in terms of when applying and following acceptance to the program.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not older than 30 at the time the visa application is received by the Canadian consulate in Sydney.
Once approved, the applicant has up to one year to enter Canada to activate the visa for a maximum stay of up to 24 months.
Tourism Video
Canadian working holiday visa summary
Visa: Working holiday
Age: 18 to 30
Length of stay: Up to 24 months
Application fee: $150 (as at 2013)
Restrictions include, but are not limited to:
Be an Australian citizen
Application must be stamped as received by the Consulate General of Canada in Sydney on or after your 18th birthday, or before your 31st birthday
Have the equivalent of C$2,500 to cover expenses at beginning of stay
Be prepared to take out health-insurance for your stay (evidence of this may be required)
Pay a participation fee
Visa must be activated within 12 months of approval date
Australia’s high commission in Canada is based in Ottawa, with details as follows:
Suite 710, 50 O’Connor Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2 CANADA
Telephone: +1 613 236 0841
Facsimile: +1 613 216 1321
Website: www.canada.embassy.gov.au
Embassies of Canada in…
Argentina Canadian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tagle 2828
C1425EEH
Buenos Aires
Ph +54 11 4808 1000
F +54 11 4808 1111
Web: www.argentina.gc.ca
Australia Canadian High Commission in Canberra, Australia
Commonwealth Avenue
Canberra
ACT 2600
Ph +61 2 6270 4000
F +61 2 6270 4081
Web: www.australia.gc.ca
Austria Canadian Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Laurenzerberg 2
3rd Floor
A – 1010 Vienna
Ph +43 1 531 38 3000
F +43 1 531 38 3321
Web: www.austria.gc.ca
Bangladesh Canadian High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh
United Nations Road
Belgium Canadian Embassy in Brussels, Belgium
Avenue des Tervueren 2
1040 Brussels
Ph +32 2 741 0611
F +32 2 741 0643
Web: www.belgium.gc.ca
Brazil Canadian Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil
Av das Naçôes, Quadra 803, Lote 16
70410-900 Brasilla
Ph +55 61 3424 5400
F +55 61 3424 5490
Web: www.brazil.gc.ca
Canada N/A
Chile Canadian Embassy in Santiago, Chile
Nueva Tajmar 481 – Piso 12
(Edificio World Trade Center)
Torre Norte, Santiago
Ph +56 2 652 3800
F +56 2 652 3912
Web: www.chile.gc.ca
China Canadian Embassy in Beijing, China
19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100600Ph +86 10 5139 4000
F +86 10 5138 4448
Web: www.china.gc.ca
Costa Rica Canadian Embassy in San Josê, Costa Rica
La Sabana Executive Business Centre
Building No. 5, 3rd Floor
Apartado Postal 351-1007, Centro Colón
San Josê
Ph +506 2242 4400
F +506 2242 4410
Web: www.costarica.gc.ca
Cyprus, Republic of Honorary Canadian Consulate in Nicosia, Cyprus
15 Themistocles Dervis Street
4th Floor, Office 402
1066 Nicosia
Ph +357 22 77 55 08
F +357 22 77 99 05
Web: www.syria.gc.ca
Czech Republic Canadian Embassy in Prague, the Czech Republic
Muchova 6
160 00 Prague 6
Ph +420 2 7210 1800
F +420 2 7210 1890
Web: www.czechrepublic.gc.ca
Denmark Canadian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark
Kristen Bernikowsgade 1
Copenhagen K, DK-1105
Ph +47 33 48 32 00
F +47 33 48 32 20
Web: www.denmark.gc.ca
Estonia Canadian Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia
Toom-Kooli 13
15186 Tallinn
Ph +372 627 3311
F +372 627 3312
Web: www.balticstates.gc.ca
Finland Canadian Embassy in Helsinki, Finland
Pohjoiseplanadi 25B
PO Box 779
00101 Helsinki
Ph + 358 9 228 530
F +358 9 601 060
Web: www.finland.gc.ca
France Canadian Embassy in Paris, France
35 Avenue Montaigne
75008 Paris
Ph +33 1 44 43 29 00
F +33 1 44 43 29 99
Web: www.france.gc.ca
Germany Canadian Embassy in Berlin, Germany
Leipziger Platz 17
10117 Berlin
Ph +49 30 20312-0
F +49 30 20312-121
Web: www.germany.gc.ca
Greece Canadian Embassy in Athens, Greece
4 Ioannou Ghennadiou Street
115 21 Athens
Ph +30 210 727 3400
F +30 210 727 3480
Web: www.greece.gc.ca
India Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, India
7/8 Shantipayj
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 021
Ph +91 11 4178 2000
F +91 11 4178 2020
Web: www.india.gc.ca
Indonesia Canadian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
World Trade Centre, 6th Floor
Jalan JendraiSudriman Kav. 29 -31
Jakarta 12920
Ph +62 21 2550 7800
F +62 21 2550 7811
Web: www.indonesia.gc.ca
Ireland Canadian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland
7-8 Wilton Terrace
Dublin 2
Ph +353 1 234 4000
F +353 1 234 4001
Web: www.ireland.gc.ca
Italy Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy
Via Zara 30
00198 Rome
Ph +39 06 85 444 2911
F +39 06 85 444 2912
Web: www.italy.gc.ca
Japan Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
7-3-38 Akasaka
Minato-ku
Tokyo 107-8503
Ph +81 3 5412 6200
F +81 3 5412 6247
Web: www.japan.gc.ca
Latvia Canadian Embassy in Riga, Latvia
20/22 Baznicas Street
6th Floor
Riga, LV-1010
Ph +371 6781 39 45
F +371 6781 3960
Web: www.balticstates.gc.ca
Malaysia Canadian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
17th Floor, Menara Tan & Tan
207 Jalan Tun Razak
Kuala Lumpur 50400
Ph +60 3 2718 3333
F +60 3 2718 3399
Web: www.malaysia.gc.ca
Malta Consulate of Canada in Valletta, Malta
Demajo House
103 Archbishop Street
Valletta VLT 09
Ph +356 2552 3233
F +356 2552 3232
Web: www.italy.gc.ca
Mexico Canadian Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico
Schiller 529
Col. Bosque de Chapultepec (Polanco)
Del. Miguel Hidalgo
11580 México, D.F.
Ph +55 5724 7900
F +55 5724 7980
Web: www.mexico.gc.ca
New Zealand Canadian Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand
Level 11, 125 The Terrace
Wellington 6011
Ph + 64 4 473 9577
F + 64 4 471 2082
Web: www.newzealnd.gc.ca
Norway Canadian Embassy in Oslo, Norway
The Canadian Embassy
Wergelandsveien 7 (4th Floor)
N-0244 Oslo
Ph +47 22 99 53 00
F +47 22 99 53 01
Web: www.norway.gc.ca
Poland Canadian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland
The Canadian Embassy
Ul. Jana Matejki 1/5
00-481 Warsaw
Ph +48 22 584 3100
F +48 22 584 3192
Web: www.poland.gc.ca
Singapore Canadian High Commission in Singapore, Singapore
One George Street, #11-01
Singapore 049145
Ph +65 6854 5900
F +65 6854 5930
Web: www.singapore.gc.ca
SlovakiaCanadian Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia
Carlton Savoy Building
Mostova 2
811 02 Bratislava
Ph +421 2 5920 4031
F +421 2 %443 4227
Web: www.czechrepublic.gc.ca
Slovenia Canadian Embassy to Hungary, Slovenia and Bosnia in Budapest, Hungary
Ganz u. 12-14
1027 Budapest
Ph +36 1 392 3360
F +36 1 392 3390
Web: www.hungary.gc.ca
South Korea Canadian Embassy in Seoul, Korea (Republic)
21 Jeong-Dong, Jung-gu
Seoul 110-120
Ph +82 2 3783 6000
F +82 2 3783 6239
Web: www.korea.gc.ca
Spain Canadian Embassy in Madrid, Spain
Torre Espacio
Paseo de la Castellana 259 D
28046 Madrid
Ph +34 91 382 8400
F +34 91 382 8490
Web: www.spain.gc.ca
Sweden Canadian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden
Klarabergsgatan 23, 6th floor
103 23 Stockholm
Ph +46 8 453 3000
F +46 8 453 3016
Web: www.sweden.gc.ca
Switzerland Canadian Embassy in Berne, Switzerland
Kirchenfeldstrasse 88
CH-3005 Berne
Ph +41 31 357 3200
F +41 31 357 3210
Web: www.switzerland.gc.ca
Taiwan Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, Taiwan
6F Hua-Hsin Building
No. 1 SongZhi Road
Xinyl District
Taipei 11047
Ph +886 2 8723 3000
Web: www.canada.org.tw
Thailand Canadian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand
15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place
990 Rama IV Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Ph +66 0 2636 0540
F +66 0 2636 0566
Web: www.thailand.gc.ca
The Netherlands Canadian Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands
Sophialaan 7
2514 JP The Hague
Ph +31 70 311 1600
F +31 70 311 1620
Web: www.netherlands.gc.ca
Turkey Canadian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
Cinnah Caddesi no: 58
06690 Cankaya
Ankara
Ph +90 312 409 27 00
F +90 312 409 27 12
Web: www.turkey.gc.ca
United Kingdom Canadian High Commission in London, the United Kingdom
Canada House
Trafalgar Square
London SW1Y 5BJ
Ph +44 20 7258 6600
F +44 20 7258 6533
Web: www.unitedkingdom,gc.ca
United States Canadian Embassy in Washington, the United States
501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Ph +1 202 682 1740
F +1 202 682 7726
Web: www.can-am.gc.ca
Uruguay Canadian Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay
Plaza Independencia 749
Office 102
Montevideo 11.000
Ph +598 2 902 2030
F +598 2 902 2029
Web: www.uruguay.gc.ca
Tax System
The tax system in Canada shares many similarities to Australia. Taxes are collected at a federal, provincial / territorial and municipal level. As is the case in Australia, income tax is taken from a worker’s employment at a progressive rate. How much tax you pay will depend on how much income is earned, but as a rough guide you should be anticipating paying between 15-29%. Like in Australia, employees can also claim a tax return. Perhaps use this to fund an upcoming holiday. The financial year in Canada runs from 1 January to 31 December.
Canadian tax rates for 2013
15% on the first $43,561 of taxable income, +
22% on the next $43,562 of taxable income (on taxable income over $43,561 up to $87,123), +
26% on the next $47,931 of taxable income (on taxable income over $87,123 up to $135,054), +
29% of taxable income over $135,054.
In Canada there are two local taxes charged to most goods. The PST (Provincial Sales Tax) at 7% and the GST (Goods and Services Tax) at 5%.
Bank account
To work in Canada a bank account is required. Canadian banks will likely suggest you open a checking account or a savings account depending on your circumstances. Make sure to have several documents of identification and proof of address available when you intend to open the new account. Once approved, applicants will usually receive a debit card to accompany the account.
Canada’s major banks include: Royal Bank of Canada, TD Canada Trust, Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Working in Canada
The Canadian economy has rapidly expanded in recent decades to become the 11th largest in the world. Much of this growth has been through the services industry, which employs a large percentage of the population.
The main industries in Canada include transportation equipment, chemicals, mining and natural resources, agriculture and fishing. Unemployment in Canada has remained stable in the past decade despite the effects of the global financial crisis.
With its cold climate, a key attraction of Canada is the immense snowfields that exist for visitors seeking access to work around skiing and snowboarding. Several of the world’s most developed ski resorts are based in Canada and are frequently targeting expats from countries such as Australia for employment.
Another area to consider, and also a great way to see more of the country, is to work in agriculture. This is a great way to explore the country, enjoy the outdoors and supplement your stay with a small amount of funds. Farms are operational throughout Canada and looking for cheap labour.
The most commonly found work for expats in Canada is on the ski fields.
It is recommended job seekers also keep an eye on local print media after arrival in Canada. Most newspapers will include a weekly employment section.
Communication
Canada is well serviced by telecommunications and has several mobile phone providers for expats to choose from. The major telecommunications players in Canada are:
Rogers
Bell
Fido
Telus
Virgin
To sign-up for a phone contract in Canada, applicants will need to provide forms of identification, such as a passport.
