Australia to Canada: Transferring Your Professional License (Engineering, Healthcare, Teaching)

Planning to move from Australia to Canada as a skilled professional in 2025? While both countries have similar education and skill standards, transferring your professional license is often a key requirement before practicing in Canada. This guide breaks down the technical process for engineers, healthcare professionals, and teachers who want to immigrate from Australia to Canada and continue working in their field.

Why License Transfer Is Crucial for Canadian Immigration

Canada considers many professions as regulated occupations. Even if you hold an advanced degree and experience in Australia, you can’t work in these roles in Canada without recognition or licensing from a Canadian body.

These licenses also boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score under Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

1. Engineers – From Engineers Australia to Canada

Regulated By:

Engineers Canada and Provincial Engineering Regulatory Bodies
Example: Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), APEGA (Alberta), Engineers BC

Steps to Transfer:

1. Identify Canadian NOC Code:
• E.g., Civil Engineers – 21300, Mechanical – 21301, Electrical – 21310
2. Apply for Academic Credential Assessment (ECA):
• Use World Education Services (WES) or ICAS
• Your Australian engineering degree is generally recognized
3. Apply to a Provincial Regulator:
• Submit academic transcripts, employment history, and proof of English proficiency (IELTS/CELPIP)
4. Write the Professional Practice Exam (PPE):
• Tests your knowledge of Canadian ethics, law, and engineering practices
5. Get P.Eng License:
• Required to sign off on engineering work

Bonus:Canada and Australia are both members of the Washington Accord, simplifying the recognition of engineering qualifications.

2. Healthcare Professionals – Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists

Regulated By:

• Medical Council of Canada (MCC) – for physicians
• Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) / Provincial boards – for nurses
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) – for pharmacists

Steps to Transfer:

Doctors:

1. Verify Medical Degree (via PhysiciansApply.ca)
2. Pass MCCQE1 (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 1)
3. Apply for Residency/Work License through Provincial Colleges
• e.g., College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
4. Optional: Postgraduate Medical Residency (if required)

Nurses:

1. Submit Application to National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
2. Receive Advisory Report
3. Apply to Provincial College (e.g., CNO, CRNBC)
4. Take NCLEX-RN (if applicable)

Pharmacists:

1. Credential Evaluation through PEBC
2. Pass the Evaluating Exam
3. Register with the Provincial Authority
4. Internship + Licensing Exam

Tip: Healthcare professionals may qualify for Category-Based Express Entry Draws under the Healthcare Occupation Stream (2025).

3. Teachers – Recognizing Your Australian Teaching License

Regulated By:

Each provincial College of Teachers

Example: Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), Alberta Education, British Columbia TRB

Steps to Transfer:

1. Credential Recognition:
• Submit an Academic Credential Assessment (ECA)
• Include your Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) or similar qualification
2. Teaching Certificate Transfer:
• Apply to the relevant province
• May require proof of supervised teaching practice
3. Language Proficiency:
• Some provinces require high IELTS or CELPIP scores for language of instruction (English or French)
4. Additional Exams (if required):
• Ontario requires the Math Proficiency Test and Ed Leadership Tests

Note: Teaching in public schools requires licensing. However, private or international schools may offer direct employment if the license process is still pending.

When comparing Canada vs Australia immigration, professionals often consider factors like licensing, job demand, and processing time. Both countries welcome skilled workers, but Canada offers streamlined immigration pathways and priority processing for occupations in healthcare, engineering, and teaching.

Immigration Pathways That Require Licensing

Licensing isn’t just for employment — it's also critical for immigration under certain categories:

What if My Occupation Isn’t Regulated?

If your occupation isn’t regulated in Canada, such as:

• Software Developers
• Marketing Managers
• Financial Analysts

…then you typically do not need a license, and only need an ECA and valid job offer or Canadian work experience.

But regulated professions must go through licensing — skipping this step can result in work permit rejection or underemployment.

When considering a move to Canada , it’s important to compare expenses. The Australia vs Canada cost of living difference can impact your budgeting and relocation decisions, especially when evaluating salaries, housing, and everyday expenses in your new professional environment.

Common Documents Required

To make the process smoother, here’s what you’ll usually need:

Pro Tips to Fast-Track Your Licensing Process

• Start from Australia: Many licensing bodies allow document submissions from overseas.
• Use Recognized Assessment Tools: NNAS, WES, PEBC, etc.
• Join Industry Forums: Networking helps with province-specific processes.
• Book Exams Early: Wait times can be long, especially for PPE and MCCQE.
• Target Less Competitive Provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan often have faster processing.

Final Thoughts

Moving to Canada from Australia in 2025 as a skilled professional means more than just packing bags — it’s about making your qualifications count. Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, engineer, or teacher, transferring your license is key to career success and even immigration eligibility.