How to Transfer Money from Australia to Canada
Australia to Canada Guide
Summary
Australia and Canada are British Commonwealth members, close trading and political partners, and they share a number of reciprocal trade and study abroad agreements. There are no restrictions on transferring money from Australia to Canada. Canada is a popular destination for many Australians for both business and leisure.
Visas, work permits and residency
Australian citizens and permanent residents who have a valid Australian passport and are in good standing do not need a visa to visit or travel through Canada. Australian citizens and permanent residents are generally allowed to work and live in Canada once they have applied for the required temporary work permits or permanent residency permits. If Canadian citizenship is the goal, certain criteria must be fulfilled before achieving citizenship status, including establishing permanent residence status, having lived in Canada for the past three of four years, and passing a citizenship test. We recommend consulting Canadian embassy resources for up-to-date information on visa requirements.
Buying property in Canada
Australian citizens and permanent residents are largely free to acquire property and transfer money from Australia to Canada to fund the purchase. However, depending on where the property is located, some some restrictions will apply.
Australians who are not residents of Canada may purchase real estate, though if staying longer than six months, applying for immigrant status is required. Some Canadian Provinces limit the amount of property and/or land that a non-resident can purchase, or require additional permissions to purchase property or land that is over a certain size. In Saskatchewan, non-residents many not own land that exceeds 10 acres in size. Non-residents on Prince Edward Island who wish to purchase land over five acres in size or that is situated along a shoreline with shore frontage that is greater than 165 feet, must first apply to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. In Alberta there is a restriction on owning plots of land: a non-resident may own no more than two plots of land, and total acreage cannot exceed 20 acres. Non-residents in Manitoba cannot own farmland unless they are planning on moving and living there within two years of the purchase date.
Before sending money from Australia to Canada to purchase property, it is recommended to seek the services of a Canadian realtor to help navigate the local real estate market and ensure all applicable rules are followed. It is common for Canadian real estate agents to insert clauses stating that the buyer is able to meet the financial obligations of the property purchase, and that the purchase is contingent upon a full building inspection.
Taxation
Australian citizens and permanent residents earning global income while in Canada must declare their earnings and pay taxes on their earnings, but they may also be entitled to an Australian foreign income tax offset. This offset allows for the provision of credits if taxes have already been paid in Canada. The tax credit provision is the result of a treaty established between Australia and Canada, which seeks to prevent double taxation of citizens of both countries.
Voting
Australian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada are eligible to vote by absentee ballot in the Australian Federal Election, as long as they intend to return to Australia within six years. After six years, Australians can renew their status by filing an annual declaration that they intend to return to Australia ‘at some point.’ This allows them to continue voting by absentee ballot while living abroad.
Australians studying in Canada
Currently there are 310 agreements between Australian universities and Canadian institutions. Canada requires a study permit but not a student visa for Australian citizens and permanent residents who wish to study in Canada. There are no limits on the amount of money that may be transferred to Canada to support foreign students.
Healthcare
Canada provides publicly-funded healthcare to its citizens and permanent residents under the Canada Health Act, which is implemented by the 10 provincial governments. Australian citizens and permanent residents who are only temporarily visiting Canada are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any overseas medical costs. Refugees or protected persons living in Canada may be eligible for the Interim Federal Health Programme, a type of temporary health insurance coverage.
Importing from Canada to Australia
Australia and Canada have a close economic relationship, with two-way trade amounting to AUD$3.3 billion in 2013. As of 2013, Canada was Australia’s 22nd largest merchandise trading partner. Under the Canada-Australia Trade Agreement (CANATA), preferential tariffs are guaranteed on a limited range of products. Both countries are currently participating in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, which seeks to eliminate tariffs on all trade between the two countries. As of 2013, the top imports from Canada were railway vehicles, sulphur and iron pyrites. Australian exports included food processors, consumer products retailers, software, financial services, and energy and mining services and equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the money transfer companies shown above safe to use?
Yes, all the companies are safe and fully-regulated money transfer services.
Each are authorised and regulated by the relevant authority such as the Financial
Conduct Authority(FCA) in the UK, FinCEN in the US, FinTRAC in Canada or ASIC in Australia.
How long does an international money transfer take?
The speed of delivery will depend on where the money is being from and to and how
you are sending and receiving the money. Transfers sent using bank to bank transfers
can depend take anywhere from minutes to days and you should check the time estimates
from the relevant provider. Debit and credit card payments sometimes allow for faster
transfers for smaller amounts.
How do I use FXcompared?
First review the comparison results (such as for a table above) for a given amount
of money sending from Australia to Canada. Then select a provider based on
factors such as price, speed, their rating and click the green button to be taken to
their website. From there, you can register and sign up for an account. Once you have
done that and the provider has verified your identity to ensure the money can be send
safely, you will be ready to transfer money.
What payments methods can I use to send money overseas?
The results shown above are typically for bank to bank transfers. It is possible
via some providers to pay in your funds for the transfer via cash, debit or credit
cards as well but this is usually reserved for smaller amounts. Some providers also
give you different options for how the money will be received - to a bank account
(most common), to a debit card, to cash or to a digital or mobile wallet.
What if the price shown above isn’t exactly what I am offered when I try to transfer money?
There can be a number of reasons why the final price you are offered may be different
to that shown in the table above. Exchange rates between two currencies change all
the time and is the most common reason. Additionally, some providers offer different
pricing depending what method you are using to send funds or how the funds will be
received. Others may offer you a premium service for faster payments. In some cases
FXcompared has a special rate with a provider and this is reserved for first time
customers who sign up to the provider starting from FXcompared’s website.
As prices do change often, be sure to confirm the total cost with the provider
before transferring money.
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