Canada working holiday visa for Australian citizens

This page is for Australian citizens interested in the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday program for Canada. The program is for people aged 18 to 35. It allows for a stay of up to 24 months with an open work permit, which lets you do temporary paid work for almost any employer.

To be eligible, you need to show proof of funds of at least CAN$2,500. The fees are a CAN$184.75 IEC fee plus a CAN$100 open work permit holder fee. You must also have health insurance for your entire stay and cannot bring dependants with you. Other IEC categories available to Australian citizens are International Co-op (Internship) and Young Professionals.

Passport

Australia

Age range

18 to 35

Stay

Up to 24 months

Fee

CAN$184.75 IEC fee + CAN$100 open work permit holder fee

Funds

CAN$2,500

Conditions for Australian citizens

• As an Australian citizen, you can only participate once in either the Working Holiday or Young Professionals category. If you’re eligible for an international co-op, you can participate in IEC a second time through the International Co-op (Internship) category. Exception: If you participated in IEC one or more times before 2015, you might be eligible for a final participation of up to 24 months in the category of your choice.
• Other IEC categories for this passport: International Co-op (Internship), Young Professionals.

General rules of the program

• Usually up to 12 months; some agreements allow up to 23 or 24 months (see the table).
• Open work permit: temporary paid work for almost any employer to help pay for the trip.
• At least CAN$2,500 (or the equivalent) shown on a bank statement, plus a return ticket or money to buy one.
• Health insurance for the whole stay; you may have to show it at the border.
• IEC fee CAN$184.75 plus open work permit holder fee CAN$100.00; biometrics CAN$85.00 if you need to give them.
• You cannot be accompanied by dependants.
• IRCC's profile page said the pools for the 2026 season were closed when we checked on 21 October 2026.

What stands out

The stay of up to 24 months for Australian citizens is longer than the standard 12 months offered under many of Canada’s other working holiday agreements. Another key point is that you can generally only participate once in either the Working Holiday or Young Professionals category. However, an exception may apply if you participated before 2015. When the data was checked on October 21, 2026, the official profile page stated that the pools for the 2026 season were closed.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check the IEC page for your country: categories, age range and how long the work permit lasts.
2. Create an IEC profile and enter the pool for your country and category.
3. If you receive an invitation to apply, accept it and submit the work permit application within 20 days.
4. Pay the IEC fee and the open work permit holder fee (and biometrics if asked).
5. Bring proof of funds, insurance and your port of entry letter when you travel.

Other programs open to Australian citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for Australian citizens.

All passports for this program: Canada working holiday visa (IEC) by country.