Australian Visa for Belgian Citizens: Complete 2026 Guide
Belgian citizens enjoy some of the best visa arrangements available for travelling to Australia. As an EU member state, Belgium is eligible for the free eVisitor visa (subclass 651), which gives you instant electronic travel authorisation for visits of up to three months. If you're between 18 and 30, the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) opens up a full year of working and travelling in Australia — with no annual cap on places. And thanks to the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) between Belgium and Australia, you'll even have access to Medicare during your stay. Here's your complete guide.
Quick Facts: Australian Visas for Belgian Citizens
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | eVisitor 651 — FREE, apply online |
| Stay Duration | Up to 3 months per visit within 12-month validity |
| Working Holiday | Subclass 417 — AUD $640, uncapped, age 18-30 |
| Student Visa | Subclass 500 — AUD $2,000 |
| Skilled Migration | Subclass 189, 190, 491 — AUD $4,910 |
| Employer Sponsored | Subclass 482, 494, 186 |
| Health Exam | Not required for most visa types |
| RHCA | Yes — Medicare access for eligible visa holders |
| Police Clearance | Federal Police certificate (Uittreksel strafregister) |
eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651) for Belgian Citizens
The eVisitor is your simplest and cheapest option for visiting Australia. It's free, processed electronically, and usually approved within minutes.
How It Works
- Apply online through the Department of Home Affairs website or the Australian ETA app
- No application fee — it's completely free
- Processing is typically instant or within 24 hours
- Valid for 12 months from the date of grant
- Allows multiple entries, each up to 3 months
- Covers tourism, visiting family, and short business activities
What You Can Do on an eVisitor
The eVisitor lets you:
- Holiday and sightsee across Australia
- Visit family and friends
- Attend business meetings, conferences, and negotiations
- Make general business enquiries
- Participate in a conference or trade fair as an attendee
You can't work for an Australian employer on the eVisitor, and you can't study for more than 3 months. For those activities, you'll need a different visa.
Application Tips
It's straightforward, but make sure:
- Your Belgian passport has at least six months validity remaining
- You apply before you travel (it's not available on arrival)
- You don't have any unresolved character issues (criminal convictions may require a different visa type)
For a full breakdown, see our eVisitor subclass 651 guide.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) for Belgian Citizens
Belgium is eligible for the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), which is the more flexible of Australia's two working holiday programmes. There's no annual cap on places for Belgian citizens.
Eligibility
- Age 18 to 30 (inclusive) at the time of application
- Belgian passport
- No dependent children travelling with you
- Not previously held a 417 visa (unless applying for second or third year)
- AUD $640 application fee
- Sufficient funds (approximately AUD $5,000) for initial expenses
- Return airfare or funds to purchase one
- Health and character clearances (health exam generally not required)
Why Choose the 417 Over the eVisitor?
If you're just visiting for a few weeks, the eVisitor is perfect. But what if you want to spend a year exploring Australia while funding your travels through work? That's exactly what the 417 is designed for. You get full work rights, can study for up to four months, and can extend for up to three years total.
Work Rights and Extensions
- Work for any employer (maximum six months per employer)
- Study for up to four months
- Second year: Complete 88 days of specified work in regional Australia
- Third year: Complete six months of specified work in regional Australia during your second year
Specified work includes farming, fishing, forestry, mining, and construction in regional areas. It's a well-worn path — thousands of Europeans extend their stays this way every year.
Full details in our Working Holiday visa guide.
Medicare Access Through RHCA
Here's something many Belgian travellers don't know: Belgium has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. This means eligible Belgian visa holders can access medically necessary treatment through Australia's Medicare system.
What's Covered
- Treatment by a general practitioner (GP) at bulk-billed clinics
- Treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
- Subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
What's Not Covered
- Private hospital treatment
- Dental care
- Ambulance services (consider private cover for this)
- Non-urgent elective procedures
- Repatriation to Belgium
To enrol in Medicare, visit a Services Australia office with your passport and visa evidence. Read more about healthcare access in our Medicare for visa holders guide.
Student Visa (Subclass 500) for Belgian Citizens
Australian universities attract Belgian students across a wide range of fields, from environmental science to business and engineering.
Key Requirements
- Enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course
- Genuine Student evidence
- Financial capacity (AUD $29,710 per year living costs, plus tuition and airfare)
- English proficiency meeting course requirements
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — though RHCA may cover some medical needs, OSHC is still mandatory for student visa holders
- Application fee: AUD $2,000
Post-Study Work
Graduates can apply for the post-study work visa (subclass 485), providing 2 to 6 years of work rights depending on qualification level. This can lead to skilled migration through the 189, 190, or 491 pathways.
Skilled Migration from Belgium
Belgian professionals — particularly in engineering, healthcare, IT, and sciences — can access Australia's skilled migration programme.
Points-Tested Visas
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) — AUD $4,910, permanent residency
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) — state nomination adds 5 points
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) — regional nomination adds 15 points
You'll need your occupation on the skilled occupation list, a positive skills assessment, at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band), and a competitive points score.
Skills Assessment for Belgian Qualifications
Belgian qualifications are well-regarded internationally:
- Engineers Australia — Engineering degrees
- ACS — IT and computing
- VETASSESS — General professional occupations
- ANMAC — Nursing and healthcare
- CPA/CA ANZ/IPA — Accounting
Documents in French, Dutch, or German must be accompanied by NAATI-certified English translations.
English Language Requirements
English proficiency is the main consideration for Belgian applicants. Invest in test preparation to maximise your points:
- Competent (IELTS 6.0 each): baseline
- Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each): 10 bonus points
- Superior (IELTS 8.0 each): 20 bonus points
See our English language requirements guide for all accepted tests.
Employer Sponsored Visas
Belgian nationals with Australian job offers can access:
- Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) — AUD $3,210, salary threshold Core: $76,515 / Specialist: $141,210
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) — permanent residency
Partner and Family Visas
Belgian citizens with Australian partners can apply for:
- Subclass 309/100 (Partner visa) — AUD $9,365
- Processing typically takes 18 to 24 months
- Relationship evidence is thoroughly assessed
- RHCA provides Medicare access during the waiting period
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Belgian citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes, but it's simple and free. Belgian passport holders can apply for the eVisitor (subclass 651), which is free, processed electronically (usually instantly), and allows stays of up to three months per visit. For longer stays or work, you'll need a different visa type.
Can Belgian citizens access Medicare in Australia?
Yes. Belgium has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia, giving eligible Belgian visa holders access to medically necessary treatment through Medicare. This covers GP visits, public hospital treatment, and subsidised medicines.
Is there a cap on Working Holiday visas for Belgians?
No. Belgian citizens can access the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) without an annual cap. As long as you meet the age (18-30) and other eligibility criteria, places are unlimited.
Do Belgian citizens need a health exam for Australian visas?
Generally no. Belgian citizens aren't typically required to undergo health examinations for eVisitor, Working Holiday, or short-stay visitor visas. Health checks may be requested for longer-stay visas or if specific health concerns arise during assessment.
What languages do I need documents translated from?
Any documents in French, Dutch, or German (Belgium's three official languages) must be accompanied by NAATI-certified English translations for visa applications that require documentation, such as skilled migration or employer sponsorship.
