Working holiday visas Australians

Belgium and Australia signed an Agreement on a Working Holiday Scheme on 20 November 2002 in Canberra. This Agreement came into force on 1 November 2004. It aims at allowing young Belgians to go to Australia and young Australians to come to Belgium, for a maximum period of one year. The main purpose of their journey ought to be holidaying while working is permitted as a secondary occupation to augment their financial resources.

Conditions for benefiting from the Agreement

Young nationals of Australia who wish to take advantage of the provisions of this Agreement should:

• have a holiday in Belgium as their primary intention, employment being incidental and accessory;
• be aged between 18 and 30 years at the time of application;
• hold a valid passport;
• possess a valid return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket;
• have sufficient means, i.e. a minimum of EUR 2,500;
• be a first time applicant under this Scheme;
• submit a medical certificate issued by a medical doctor appointed by the Belgian Embassy, stating that they have no disease or infirmity that may endanger public health, order or security (the list of such diseases is annexed to the Belgian Law of 15 December 1980 on Access to the Territory, Residence, Settlement and Expulsion of Foreign Nationals);
• produce a document vouching for their good character;
• it is recommended they have comprehensive medical and hospitalisation insurance for the duration of their stay (see also health care agreement - a valid medicare card is essential).

Documents you have to submit

Please refer to the checklist on the website of our outsourcing partner VFS Global.

Processing time

The usual processing time is 1 month, but this varies according to the time of year. If there are complications, e.g. you have offences on your police check, the processing time will be around 3 months.

Important remarks

• You may, if you so wish, engage in study or training programmes in Belgium. The total duration of such programmes, however, may not exceed 3 months.
• There is no maximum period of employment specified in the agreement. Some employers or temp agencies will only allow you to work for them for 3 months, others up to 6 months.
• You do not need a work permit to exercise an activity as a salaried worker in Belgium. Access to some professions, however, may be dependent upon recognition of specific qualifications and any rules of registration for practise in that profession.