Main differences between Canada & Australia

Thanks for all the info guys, you've really helped me out a lot !

I'd like to sort of crown this question with one that may attract a biased answer given where you currently live now, but I would really appreciate it if you could try to put that aside for now.

Based on all the facts that were discussed, and perhaps some that haven't which we've forgotten to address, which country would you say you prefer over the other; Canada or Australia?

Imagine you could have all your friends and all your family in one country - which would you choose? and why???

I'm thinking of starting a new forum with this question because the current title may mislead other people into coming in here.

Thanks! Mary

one thing i found really strange about driving is turning right on streets with multiple lanes in Australia (the equivalent of turning left in Canada). You have to move all the way to the left lane (by the curb) and wait there. When you turn, to be safe, you have to check both the traffic coming from behind you and the opposite direction to make sure that nobody is running a red light.

This is only in Melbourne, at specific intersections where there are trams traveling on the same road (you go to the left to avoid blocking the tram while you're trying to turn right).

I can't really answer your question. I don't think either country is "better" than the other. I love them both for different reasons.

The only thing that would keeping me from staying for good would be the distance from my family. If they were here I could eaisly stay. My husband would be a different story. He does really like it here but he misses the different season, especially winter for some reason. Even if his family were here I'm certain he'd still want to go back to Canada. But while we are here for the next year or two he does like it and is enjoying himself.

So, sorry I can't give you a definitive answer. It's just that I'd happily live in either country at the moment. I love the weather in Australia although it would be nice to have a fall or spring like you do in Canada just for a bit of variety. Although I've been told if you're around Melbourne you do get to experience a wider range of seasons.

Australia = hot
Canada = cold

Canada has water
Australia does not

Canadian Cadbury's = edible
Australian Cadbury's = reconstituted vomit

2 - coming on skilled workers visas and with PRs, how difficult would it be to get a mortgage, drivers license, ID etc.?

Canada and Australia have reciprocal agreements in place to recognize each other's driver's license. You only need to get an Australian license if you're a PermRes (I think) but if you're buying a car you might as well get one anyway.

Oh, neither country allows you to hold more than one driver's license at a time. They'll punch a hole in your Cdn one.

-- Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:18 am --

Based on all the facts that were discussed, and perhaps some that haven't which we've forgotten to address, which country would you say you prefer over the other; Canada or Australia?

Imagine you could have all your friends and all your family in one country - which would you choose? and why???

You'll call a country home when you've laid down some roots - that typically means friend and family. It's not like you're moving to a 3rd world country where you don't speak the language, you'll adjust but you'll always miss where you grow up.

We live 6 months in Vancouver and 6 months in Sydney on average - dual citizens. Love both for all the different reasons listed - there's no perfect place, sometimes Vancouver rubs me the wrong way and other times it's Sydney.

When we got our Queensland license they handed back my Canadian one untouched. Not a mark or hole on it, so as far as Canada is concerned it's still a valid license.

Might be different in other states though.

Wow, I'm surprised they let you keep it unmarked. In Sydney they punched a hole in my BC license before giving it back to me even though I protested. I renewed last year and one of the questions I was asked was do I hold a license from any other country ... ahem, I said No. I'm currently back in Vancouver and just renewed my BC license and they asked the same thing - can't hold more than one license.

Here's the NSW RTA info on Australian licensing:
"It is a legal requirement under Australian licensing laws that only one licence can be used for driving in Australia."
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/new ... ivers.html

Here's the BC ICBC info on driver license exchange and surrendering your other licenses: http://www.icbc.com/licensing/lic_renew_replace_new.asp

If you can get away with it, good on ya!

It does say that only one license can be used while driving in Australia, but I chose to think that I'm still only driving with one licence. I keep my Canadian one in a file with all my Canadian ID and info. So really, I don't drive with that one. I'm sure they wouldn't like that explanation though!

I was surprised they handed it back to me without altering it. I was thrilled though because we use that to drive with whenever we go back to visit. Our licence expires later this year, but my husband plans to renew his in Alberta when were there in June. Not really the best of plans, but he doesn't want it to expire! I might just let mine go and then get another one when we move back Christmas 2010. It looks like you can get another one if it's less than 3 years expired. So that should work out ok.

i find roundabouts to be alot safer than our traditional 4-way stops back home. less chance of collisions when someone doesn't recognize right of way.

i find roundabouts to be alot safer than our traditional 4-way stops back home. less chance of collisions when someone doesn't recognize right of way.

Uh, I don't know about that. There's nothing sacred about the right of way at a roundabout as I've had close calls from careless drivers as well.