If you are an Australian heading to Canada on an IEC working holiday visa, getting your insurance sorted before you arrive is not optional , it is a condition of entry. Canadian border officers check proof of insurance at the port of entry, and your work permit validity is tied to the length of your insurance policy. This guide covers everything you need to know about IEC insurance as an Australian, including why purchasing through a Canadian broker is typically cheaper and more flexible than what you will find from domestic Australian providers.
What is the IEC Working Holiday Visa for Australians?
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is a bilateral agreement between Canada and Australia that allows Australian citizens aged 18 to 35 to live and work in Canada for up to two years. It is the Canadian equivalent of Australia's Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) - an open work permit that lets you work for any employer, in any location, without needing a job offer before you arrive.
The IEC Working Holiday stream for Australians allows a maximum stay of two years. Once approved, you receive a Letter of Introduction (LOI) which you present at a Canadian port of entry to activate your work permit. You must have private health insurance in place before you arrive - it is checked at the border.
IEC Insurance Requirements for Australians: What IRCC Requires
Australian Medicare does not provide any coverage in Canada. There is no reciprocal health agreement between Australia and Canada, so from the moment you arrive in Canada, you have no public health coverage. Private insurance is mandatory, and it must meet the following IRCC requirements:
• Emergency medical coverage: covers hospitalisation, doctor visits, emergency treatment, and prescription medications
• Repatriation coverage: covers the cost of returning you to Australia in the event of serious illness, injury, or death
• Valid for the full length of your intended stay in Canada
• From a Canadian insurer or OSFI-approved foreign insurer
Your work permit is set to expire on the same date as your insurance policy. If you purchase a two-year policy, you receive a two-year work permit. If you purchase a shorter policy, your permit expires sooner, even if you plan to stay longer. For this reason, purchasing a full two-year policy from the outset is strongly recommended for Australians who plan to use their full visa allowance.
Why Australian IEC Participants Buy Insurance Through BestQuote
Many Australians research insurance before leaving home and consider Australian providers first. There are several practical reasons why purchasing through a Canadian broker like BestQuote is typically better value:
| BestQuote MEDEC Policy (Canadian Provider) | Typical Australian Provider | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Significantly lower premiums for Canada-specific IEC coverage | Higher premiums for Canada-specific working holiday coverage |
Policy term | Up to 2 years - single policy covers your full IEC permit | Often shorter terms or more expensive for 2-year coverage |
Refund if you return home early | Pro-rated refund available (MedEC policy) if no claim made | Most non-refundable after cooling-off period (typically 14 days) |
GHIP refund | Directly structured to meet IRCC requirements - no additional verification | Not available |
IRCC compliance | Directly structured to meet IRCC requirements | May require additional documentation to verify IRCC compliance at border |
Maple virtual care | 3 prepaid consultations/year included with MedEC | Not available |
Canadian hospital coordination | Canadian insurers coordinate directly with hospitals. | International insurers typically require upfront payment and reimbursement |
Australian Medicare provides no coverage in Canada, and most Australian-issued working holiday insurance policies for Canada are significantly more expensive than equivalent Canadian coverage and non-refundable if your plans change. Purchasing through BestQuote gives you IRCC-compliant coverage at a better price, with refund flexibility throughout your stay.
The BestQuote MedEC Policy: Why It Is Popular With Australian IEC Participants
BestQuote's flagship IEC product is the MedEC policy, underwritten by Lloyd's of London (A+ 'Very Strong' financial strength rating from Standard & Poor's). It is designed specifically for IEC visa holders and includes features that standard travel insurance policies do not offer:
Available for up to 2 years
No need to buy multiple policies, you can buy the BestQuote MedEC policy for 730 days at once.
Winter Sport Coverage
If you plan on skiing, snowboarding, or playing any other Winter Sports, the BestQuote MedEC policy offers additional Winter Sport coverage.
Maple Virtual Care
3 pre-paid online doctor consultations per year. Additionally, get your prescriptions filled hassle-free.
GHIP Refund
If you enrol in a provincial health plan after finding employment in Canada (typically available after 3 months), MedEC refunds 25% of your remaining premium.
Trips Home Won't Void Coverage
you can return to Australia for a holiday (side trip coverage for 35 day maximum) and your Canadian coverage remains in place.
Underwritten by Lloyd's of London
Widely recognised and trusted globally, including by Australian participants familiar with Lloyd's reputation.
Note: The MedEC policy may not appear in your quote results for all profile types or trip lengths. If it is available for your profile, it will appear alongside all other qualifying plans in the BestQuote quote engine so you can compare prices and benefits before purchasing.
How to Get IEC Insurance Before You Leave Australia
You can purchase IEC insurance through BestQuote entirely online from Australia - no Canadian address, no Canadian credit card, and no need to wait until you arrive. Policy documents are emailed immediately after purchase and can be printed or saved to your phone to show at the Canadian border.
1. Go to BestQuote's IEC travel insurance page at bestquotetravelinsurance.ca/iec-travel-insurance or use the quote engine directly.
2. Select IEC Visa Insurance as the insurance type. Enter your planned arrival date in Canada, your intended return date or policy end date, and your date of birth.
3. Review the available plans. If MedEC is available for your profile, it will appear in your results alongside all other options. Compare prices, deductible options, and key benefits.
4. Purchase online using any major credit card - Australian cards are accepted. Policy documents are emailed immediately.
5. Print or save your proof of insurance certificate. Carry it with your other border documents - your passport, Letter of Introduction, and proof of funds - to present at the Canadian port of entry.
Your work permit at the Canadian border will be set to expire on the same date as your insurance policy. Purchase a 2-year policy if you plan to use your full two-year IEC permit.
Provincial Health Insurance in Canada: What Australians Need to Know
Once you are working in Canada, you may become eligible to enrol in your province's Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) - the publicly funded provincial health system. Eligibility rules vary by province and typically require proof of employment and a waiting period of up to three months. GHIP does not replace your private IEC insurance - IEC visa holders are required to maintain private insurance for their entire stay regardless of GHIP eligibility. However, the two systems work together: GHIP covers routine and non-emergency care, while your private IEC insurance covers emergency situations.
The BestQuote MedEC policy includes a unique GHIP refund feature: once you successfully enrol in a provincial health plan, MedEC refunds 25% of your remaining premium (less a $25 administration fee). For a two-year policy, this can represent a saving of several hundred dollars. Most Australian-issued policies do not offer this feature because they are not designed around Canada's provincial health system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our services.
Yes, BestQuote’s IEC insurance plans meet IRCC’s requirements, including coverage for hospitalization, health care, and repatriation.
Yes, some of the plans we offer can be purchased even if you already have provincial medical coverage. Please review the policy wording on the quote page for details.
If you already have GHIP coverage, BestQuote offers policies from six different insurers that accept applicants with provincial health coverage. Go to the “Summary” and check the “Eligibility” section of each plan to confirm eligibility.
Yes, some IEC insurance policies, including BestQuote's MedEC Visitors Emergency Health & Repatriation Insurance policy, offer add-ons for recreational skiing, snowboarding, and other adventure sports. Always check the policy’s sports coverage section.
If your country allows a 24-month IEC visa, you should buy a 24-month policy. Shorter plans may result in your work permit being shortened to match the insurance length.
