For Australians young enough to qualify, a first step to Canada needs no job offer: the Working Holiday category of International Experience Canada (IEC) gives an open work permit, valid for most employers anywhere in the country. Australians take part only once in either that category or Young Professionals, which needs a job offer that builds their career; a second turn is open only through International Co-op, for students whose course requires a placement in Canada. Paid skilled work can later count toward the Canadian Experience Class, a permanent residence route inside Express Entry, the online pool from which Canada invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply. Those past the age limit can join the pool from Australia through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, built for skilled experience gained abroad.

Before leaving Australia, check two dates, because the work permit issued at the border cannot outlast either: your passport's expiry and the end of your health insurance, which must cover the whole stay; Canada does not extend a permit cut short by a shorter policy. Later, an Australian degree earns Express Entry points only with an educational credential assessment, a report comparing it with Canadian qualifications. WES, one of the assessment bodies Canada designates, accepts transcripts from universities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Monash only when the graduate shares them from their account on My eQuals, the online service those universities use for official records, and warns that a PIN or expiry date on the share can block it.

The mistake to avoid is sending the Australian police certificate on its own. Anyone who lives or has lived in Queensland must add a traffic history from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and in Victoria a full licence history search from VicRoads, or a letter from that roads authority confirming they never held a licence there; IRCC, Canada's immigration department, sends IEC applicants from Australia to these instructions too. The certificate must also be a version IRCC accepts, never a complete disclosure certificate.