Canadian citizens moving to Commonwealth of Australia
Applicants from CA access AU through standard third-country visa routes listed below. Consult the destination's primary-source links for current eligibility and processing windows.
Tourist entry
No. Canadian nationals require a visa to enter Commonwealth of Australia, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
- Commonwealth
Consular processing: Applicable consular post in origin country
Treaty and bilateral routes
These routes are available to Canadian applicants under specific bilateral agreements.
All Commonwealth of Australia routes
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Points-based permanent residence visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
State-nominated permanent residence visa providing a 5-point SkillSelect boost.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Provisional 5-year regional visa leading to permanent residence via subclass 191.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
Permanent residence visa for workers nominated by Australian employers.
National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent)
Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers in target sectors — replacement for the former Global Talent visa.
Australian Student visa (subclass 500)
Study visa for international students enrolled at CRICOS-registered institutions.
Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100)
Residence visa for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Frequently asked questions
Can Canadian citizens enter Commonwealth of Australia without a visa?
No. Canadian nationals require a visa to enter Commonwealth of Australia, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Which Commonwealth of Australia visa routes are best suited to Canadian applicants?
Treaty routes (Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462)) apply specifically to Canadian nationals. Applicants from CA access AU through standard third-country visa routes listed below. Consult the destination's primary-source links for current eligibility and processing windows.
Where do Canadian applicants typically apply for a Commonwealth of Australia visa?
Applications are typically processed at Applicable consular post in origin country. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Commonwealth of Australia's immigration authority without a consular visit.