A Working Holiday Visa in Cairns? Cairns is paradise for nature lovers, those who appreciate warmth and a relaxed lifestyle. Located in the far north of Queensland, this vibrant city is surrounded by sea, jungle, and mountains , with a tropical climate year-round. It's also an excellent starting point for your Working Holiday Visa in an exotic setting, more tranquil than the major metropolises.
As a bonus: the region is known for offering many seasonal jobs in tourism and agriculture, making it a popular (but not yet saturated) spot for backpackers and working holiday visa holders.
Cairns is a city on a human scale, ideal for handling the initial steps of a Working Holiday Visa: temporary accommodation, opening a bank account, TFN (Tax File Number), and job searching. For Belgians arriving in Australia for the first time, this simplicity allows them to quickly get their bearings and avoid the stress of big cities.
Cairns is a major hub for jobs accessible to Belgian Working Holiday Visa holders , particularly in: hospitality and catering, tourism (excursions, hotels, agencies), cleaning and services, agriculture and farms around Cairns.
The demand for labor is steady, which often makes it possible to find a first job quickly after arrival.
One of the major advantages of Cairns for Belgians is its immediate proximity to rural areas eligible for the 88-day work permit . Many Working Holiday Visa holders choose Cairns because of:
to begin their Working Holiday Visa,
working quickly on a farm
securing the renewal of their visa from the first year.
Cairns is an ideal starting point for:
buy a vehicle at a reasonable price,
explore northern Queensland,
then head off to other regions of Australia
Which justifies starting your Australian adventure with a Working Holiday Visa in Cairns.
Location: Northeast coast in the state of Queensland, also known as the Sunshine State .
Distinguishing feature: starting point for excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and its exceptional diving
Climate: tropical, with two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. Ideal period: from June to October.
Population: approximately 150,000 inhabitants
The must-sees: the Cairns festival in August and September, the Daintree Rainforest, the Whitsunday Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, the cable car through the rainforest ( Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ).
Type of work: bartender or dishwasher, waiter, kitchen or dining room assistant, delivery driver, warehouse worker, housekeeper, babysitter, diving instructor, etc. All of which justifies choosing a Working Holiday Visa program in Cairns.
It is possible to arrive directly at Cairns International Airport, but many Working Holiday Visa holders prefer to start their stay on the east coast (Brisbane, Sydney) before heading north.
Options for getting to Cairns :
✈️ Frequent direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane with Jetstar, Qantas or Virgin Australia
🚐 Popular road trip between Brisbane and Cairns , with magnificent stops like the Whitsundays or Mission Beach
🚌 Long-distance bus (Greyhound or Premier)
A trip to Cairns can also be an opportunity to gradually discover the Australian coastal landscapes.
1. Check your eligibility for the Working Holiday scheme in Australia : see the conditions to be met in the following box.
2. Obtain your Australian Working Holiday Visa
Visavacancestravail.be will handle the application for you! It is granted immediately once we make the online payment on the immigration website.
3. Visavacancestravail.be then proceeds to book the various services you have chosen: flights, transfers upon arrival, accommodation in a youth hostel, job assistance...
4. You subscribe to the Working Holiday Visa travel insurance that we recommend.
5. We review your pre-departure file during a video session, an online file that we have prepared for you and accessible from your mobile phone or computer 24/7.
First, make sure you meet the requirements for the Working Holiday visa ( subclass 417 ) :
Be a Belgian citizen (or another eligible nationality)
Be between 18 and 30 years old (up to the day before your 31st birthday)
Possess a valid passport
Not having already held an Australian Working Holiday Visa (1st application); possibility of obtaining a 2nd or 3rd under certain conditions
Having sufficient savings (approximately 5,000 AUD recommended)
Prices depend on the package you choose :
🎒 Basic Package : €3799 (2026 price) - PROMO for departures between February 14 and June 15, 2026, and bookings made before June 15, 2026: €3399
📚 Complete package with English lessons : price varies depending on:
the duration of the courses ,
the weekly working hours ,
and the type of accommodation .
💰 On average, expect to pay between €2000 and €2500 for a month of classes , including accommodation with a host family on a half-board basis (private or shared room), or in a shared flat with a friend or another working holiday visa holder.
NEW: Cairns Arrival Pack
Are you a scuba diving enthusiast? Do you dream of exploring the Great Barrier Reef? Do you crave sunshine, even in winter? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Cairns is the perfect destination for you! The city is the starting point for numerous activities and excursions designed to help you discover the world's largest coral reef.
Its tropical climate will keep you warm during the Australian winter, which runs from June to August (yes, we're in the Southern Hemisphere!). Cairns is also vibrant and very urban, offering something for everyone, from shoppers and nightlife lovers to those looking for all kinds of activities. So, when are we leaving for our Working Holiday Visa in Cairns? :)
Yes, Cairns is often considered an excellent arrival city for Belgian Working Holiday Visa holders. Less stressful than Sydney or Melbourne, it makes it easier to manage the initial steps (accommodation, employment, settling in). It's an ideal destination to begin your Australian Working Holiday Visa smoothly and gradually adapt to Australian life.
Cairns offers a more affordable cost of living , less competition upon arrival, and direct access to seasonal jobs. Many Belgians choose Cairns to quickly secure their Working Holiday Visa , work from the first few weeks, and more easily prepare for the rest of their stay in Australia.
Yes. Cairns offers many opportunities for Belgian Working Holiday Visa holders, particularly in:
the hotel and restaurant industry,
tourism (excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and the Skyrail, hotels, diving...),
cleaning and services,
agriculture in the areas around Cairns.
Employers are used to foreign workers, which makes hiring easier.
Yes. Many Belgians arrive in Cairns with intermediate English and find work. Functional English is sufficient for most jobs available to Working Holiday Visa holders. However, improving your English remains essential for career advancement and access to better opportunities. Why not start your Cairns Working Holiday Visa program with a few weeks of English courses at our partner school to increase your chances of finding employment in a wider range of sectors?
Cairns is cheaper than major Australian cities , especially when it comes to accommodation. Shared flats are more affordable and rents more reasonable, allowing Belgian Working Holiday Visa holders to better manage their budget , particularly at the beginning of their stay.
Yes. Accommodation in Cairns is generally more affordable than in very touristy towns like Byron Bay. Many Belgians start with a hostel before quickly finding a shared apartment. The high turnover of travelers makes accommodation more readily available.
A car isn't essential for living in the city. However, it becomes very useful for accessing farms, jobs in the suburbs, or for completing the 88-day stay . Many Belgian Working Holiday Visa holders buy a vehicle after a few weeks in Belgium.
Yes. Cairns is one of the best bases in Australia for completing the 88 days required to renew your Working Holiday Visa. The region offers numerous opportunities in agriculture and eligible rural areas.
Cairns offers opportunities year-round . The dry season is a more comfortable time to settle, while the rainy season often coincides with a high demand for agricultural labor. Belgians can therefore adapt their arrival to their goals.
Yes, Cairns is particularly recommended for a first Working Holiday Visa for Belgians . The city allows you to get your bearings, find work quickly, and discover Australia without the pressure of major cities.
Cities marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible for Job Assistance
Cities marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible for Job Assistance
Cities marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible for Job Assistance
