Canada Work Permit from Australia

International Experience Canada

IEC is one of the most accessible routes to work in Canada. It offers three categories of work permit:

• Working Holiday: an open work permit that allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada. It is valid for up to 24 months.
• Young Professionals: an employer-specific work permit for applicants with a job offer in an occupation classified TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 under the National Occupational Classification. It is valid for up to 24 months.
• International Co-op: an employer-specific work permit for students at an Australian post-secondary institution who are completing a work placement or internship in Canada as part of their studies. It is valid for up to 12 months.

Federal Skilled Worker Class

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is a permanent residence program rather than a work permit. It is managed through the Express Entry system, which ranks candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Applicants must meet minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language ability and education. IRCC then invites the highest-ranking candidates in the pool to apply for permanent residence. An invitation to apply does not give you the right to work in Canada. You can work without restriction only once you become a permanent resident.

Federal Skilled Trade Class

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is a permanent residence program for people with qualifications in skilled trades. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Work experience: at least two years of full-time paid work experience in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply.
• Language ability: CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing, shown through an approved test such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
• Job offer or certification: either a valid job offer of at least one year from a Canadian employer, or a certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian province or territory.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class is a permanent residence program for people who have already worked in Canada. To qualify, you must have at least one year of skilled work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) in Canada within the last three years, gained with proper authorization.

You must also meet the minimum language level: CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 jobs. There is no minimum CRS score for this program, but IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates in each draw.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a separate set of provincial programs that allows provinces to select applicants who meet local labor market needs. Some PNP streams are aligned with Express Entry, and a nomination through one of them adds 600 CRS points. Other streams are processed on paper outside Express Entry.

Provinces may select, for example:

• Students
• Business or trade workers
• Skilled workers in certain professions
• Semi-skilled workers

Canada Post-graduate Work Permit

You may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) if you graduate from a designated learning institution (DLI) after a program of at least eight months. The PGWP is an open work permit that lets you work in Canada after you finish your studies.

The length of the permit depends on your program. Programs of eight months to under two years receive a permit of the same length as the program. Programs of two years or more, and most master’s programs of at least eight months, can receive up to three years.

If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024, graduates of non-degree programs must have studied in an eligible field of study, and all graduates must meet a minimum language level (CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates). Canadian work experience gained on a PGWP can support a later permanent residence application.

Self-employed Persons Program

The Self-Employed Persons Program is a permanent residence program for people with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics. IRCC paused new applications on April 30, 2024, and extended the pause until further notice in March 2026. No reopening date has been announced.

Requirements and supporting documents vary depending on the work permit you want to apply for.

If you are applying for a work permit outside the IEC program, you will usually need to provide:

• Valid Australian passport
• Passport photographs
• Proof of previous work experience or qualifications
• Evidence of health insurance cover
• Proof of financial funds
• Documents showing you meet the required language standards

In general, the requirements Australians must meet to be eligible for the IEC program work permits are:

• Have an Australian passport that is valid for the entire duration of your time in Canada
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of application

• Prove you have a minimum of CAD$2,500 of accessible funds in your bank account
• Have health insurance for the entire duration of your working holiday
• Evidence of a round-trip ticket or proof of funds to be able to purchase a return flight back to Australia from Canada
• Necessary police certificates
• An updated resume

If you are applying for the Young Professional work permit you must also have proof of a job offer or contract in your expertise under NOC 0, A or B.

If you are applying for the International Co-op work permit, you must have a signed internship, job offer or employment contract which meets your education institution’s eligibility requirements.

In both of these situations, employers in Canada must submit their job offer out of employment through the IRCC’s Employer Portal.

As an Australian planning to secure a Canadian work permit, you can get expert assistance from Total Law. Contact us today.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Applying for an Employer-Specific Work Permit

Step 1: Secure a job offer

Receive a job offer from a Canadian employer. In most cases, your employer must first obtain a positive LMIA, unless your role is exempt from the LMIA requirement.

Step 2: Gather your documents

Collect your passport, job offer, LMIA or exemption details, proof of qualifications and experience, and any other documents required for your category.

Step 3: Apply online

Submit your application through your IRCC secure account and pay the required fees. You may also need to give biometrics at a Visa Application Centre.

Step 4: Receive your decision

If your application is approved, you receive a port of entry letter of introduction. Your work permit is issued when you arrive in Canada.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Express Entry (Permanent Residence)

Express Entry is the system used to manage applications for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Check you are eligible

Check the requirements for your chosen program so that you know you are eligible. You can also check how many points you would score on the CRS.

Step 2: Gather your documents

To prove your eligibility, you will need documents such as language test results, educational credential assessments and proof of work experience.

Step 3: Create your profile

Complete your Express Entry profile. If you are eligible, you will be accepted into the pool of candidates and given a CRS score.

Step 4: Receive an invitation to apply

IRCC invites the candidates with the highest scores in each draw to apply. Once you receive an invitation, you have 60 days to submit your application.