CANADA
Overview
With 13 provinces and territories, Canada is know for its beautiful landscapes, including vast forests, rocky mountains and many lakes. Canada boasts a stable government and strong social services like universal healthcare. Canadians are international recognised for their friendliness.. except on the ice hockey field! (Visit Canada, 2025).
Physiotherapy Overview
Employment Overview
According to the Government of Canada (2023), physiotherapy job prospects over the past 3 years range between “moderate” to “good” depending on the province with the occupation expecting to face labour shortages over the period of 2024 – 2033 (Government of Canada, 2023).
Income
Range from CAD $23 – $64 per hour depending on the role, province, and experience level (Job Bank, 2024).
For more info regarding wages in Canada click the link
Licensing and Registration
Regulator: Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR)
Languages: Must be fluent in English or French.
Language test report is not required if you completed your degree in an english speaking country such as Australia.
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- CAPR Qualification Check – Application cost: $1,486 CAD
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- Official Identity Document containing full name, date of birth and photograph.
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- Academic Transcript from recognised tertiary educator.
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- Confirmation of current registration as physiotherapist (unless applying with 2 years of graduating).
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- Proof of completion of either of the below online courses about the Canadian health care system and the role of physiotherapists – $500
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- Physiotherapy Practice within the Canadian Health Care Context, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto
- Physiotherapy Practice in the Canadian Healthcare System, Continuing Professional Education, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta
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- Proof of completion of either of the below online courses about the Canadian health care system and the role of physiotherapists – $500
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- Canadian Physiotherapy Exam – $2,500 CAD
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The CPTE is a five-hour, virtual exam that is comprised of a Written Section and an Oral Section.
The outcome (pass/fail) for each candidate is determined by their combined performance on the Written and Oral Sections.
The Written Section of the CPTE:
The Written Section is 100-question multiple-choice that assess candidates’ ability to apply clinical knowledge, analyse information, differentiate between plausible response options, and make sound decisions based on presented scenarios.
The Oral Section of the CPTE
The Oral Section is a 150-point, structured case-based assessment. Candidates are presented with clinical cases and presented with a set of questions to be answered verbally based on information provided.
Click the link for more information on licensing and registration in Canada
(Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators, 2025)
Work Permit/ Visa
Working holiday Visa – $179 CAD
Australians aged 18 to 35 are eligible to apply for a Working Holiday Visa through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. This visa allows you to live and work in Canada for up to two years. You don’t need a job offer to apply or to enter the country, and you’re free to work for multiple employers during your stay. It’s an ideal choice for young travellers wanting to explore Canada while earning an income.
Employer specific work permit
This permit is intended for individuals who have secured a job offer in Canada. It allows you to work for a single employer, in one location, for a defined period. Your employer must provide an employment contract and may be required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which confirms that no Canadian worker is available for the role. This type of permit is linked directly to that specific job and employer.
Open work permit
An open work permit allows you to work for most employers in Canada without needing a job offer beforehand. It’s only available to certain people depending on their circumstances. For instance, partners or family members of skilled workers or international students may qualify. While it offers more flexibility, it’s not as commonly used by Australians as the Working Holiday Visa.
Click the link icon for more information on Work Permits in Canada
(Government of Canada, 2025)
Cost Of Living
Cost of Living Index: Canada – 60.7 Australia – 63.0
The average lifestyle in Canada is 2.3% less expensive than the same lifestyle in Australia.
(Numbeo, 2025)
Lived Experience
Listen to Mariah talk about the differences in treatment approaches between Canada and Australia, and how work–life balance can vary depending on the types of employment contracts commonly used in each country.
Mariah grew up in Canada, where she completed her physiotherapy degree. She spent several years working in private practice—first as an exercise physiologist and later as a physiotherapist—before relocating to Australia, where she has since worked across two clinics throughout her time here.
*note: this clip is audio only.
References
Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. (2025, April 30). About the Canadian Physiotherapy Examination – Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators – CAPR. https://alliancept.org/canadian-physiotherapy-examination/getting-started/the-canadian-physiotherapy-examination/
Canadian Physiotherapy Association. (2025). Working in Canada. Canadian Physiotherapy Association. https://physiotherapy.ca/advocacy/about-physiotherapy-in-canada/working-in-canada/
Government of Canada. (2025a). Find out if you need a work permit – Canada.ca. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/need-permit.html
Government of Canada. (2025b). Physiotherapist in Canada | Job outlook. Www.jobbank.gc.ca. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/18214/ca
Job Bank. (2024). Physiotherapist in Canada | Wages – Job Bank. Www.jobbank.gc.ca. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/18214/ca
Numbeo. (2025). Cost of Living Index by Country 2025. Numbeo.com. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp
Visit Canada. (2025). Visit Canada | Destination Canada. Destinationcanada.com. https://travel.destinationcanada.com/en-au
Photos courtesy of Pixabay