working holiday visa
working holiday visa

Gold Coast Working Holiday Visa: a surfer's paradise!

Why choose the Gold Coast as your arrival city for a Working Holiday Visa?

Working Holiday Visa Gold Coast? The Gold Coast , located in Queensland, is one of the most attractive destinations for Belgians to start a Working Holiday Visa in Australia . Known for its endless beaches, sunny climate, and quality of life, it offers a perfect balance between easy employment, a relaxed lifestyle, and exploration .

🌞 An ideal living environment for working holiday visa holders

The Gold Coast captivates with its laid-back atmosphere , subtropical climate, and picture-perfect scenery. Whether you're coming to work, travel, or learn English, it's a wonderful place to live year-round . Neighborhoods like Surfers Paradise , Broadbeach , and Burleigh Heads are perfect for settling in, surfing, and meeting other backpackers.

💼 Job opportunities available upon arrival

Many working holiday visa holders choose the Gold Coast because there are many job opportunities in popular sectors such as:

  • the hotel and restaurant ,

  • cafes , bars and tourist resorts ,

  • commerce and amusement parks (like SeaWorld or Dreamworld) .

The city being very touristy, especially in high season (from November to April), it offers many job opportunities for young people on Working Holiday Visas .

🏄‍♀️ A perfect destination for surf and nature lovers

Searches like " seaside city for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia" or "surf and sun during a Working Holiday Visa" often lead to the Gold Coast. It's a paradise for surfers , but also for nature lovers: hiking in national parks , swimming in lagoons, and weekends in Byron Bay or Brisbane are all on the agenda.

 

✈️ Easily accessible and well-served by public transport

The Gold Coast has its own international airport (OOL), making it easy to arrive from Asia or other Australian cities. It's also just an hour from Brisbane, a major city accessible by train or bus.

Location: Situated in southeastern Queensland, the Gold Coast is a coastal destination known for its famous beaches, theme parks, and entertainment. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia.

Distinctive features : Golden sandy beaches , impressive skyscrapers, amusement parks and water sports.

Climate: Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is approximately 23.5°C.

Population: Around 700,000 inhabitants.

The must-sees: Surfers Paradise Beach, Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Dreamworld, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Burleigh Heads Beach, Lamington National Park, and Springbrook National Park.

Type of work: The tourism industry is predominant, offering employment opportunities in hotels, theme parks, tourist attractions, catering, water sports, and leisure services.

 

How to go on a Working Holiday Visa to the Gold Coast?

Wondering how to organize a Working Holiday Visa in Australia and which city to start with? It's a common question among prospective visa holders. If you're drawn to sun, beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere , then the Gold Coast is an excellent option to begin your adventure.

Regardless of the arrival city, the administrative procedures for the Australian Working Holiday Visa remain the same: visa application, insurance, minimum budget, etc. But choosing the Gold Coast as your starting point means opting for a dynamic, human-sized city, renowned for its surf beaches, seaside resorts, pleasant year-round climate, and numerous job opportunities in tourism and hospitality .

Simply tell us when you book your Working Holiday Visa that you want to start your stay on the Gold Coast from Brussels (or any other city or country), and we will offer you the best flight options to land as close as possible to this charming destination.

Preparing for my departure on a Working Holiday Visa to the Gold Coast

Steps to follow

The first step is to obtain your passport through your local municipality in Belgium. The processing time is usually one week, and the cost ranges from €65 to €100 , depending on your place of residence. Don't forget to bring a color passport photo .

Once you have your passport, VisaVacancesTravail.be helps you obtain your Working Holiday Visa for Australia . If you attended one of our information sessions, you already know that we will need:

  • A certified copy of your passport ,

  • Proof of sufficient funds (at least €3,000 in your name),

  • From form 1150 that we will provide you.

We then take care of booking your flights, your package, and all associated services . You will receive a personalized Google Drive with all your documents: visa, e-ticket, confirmations, practical information, etc.

Conditions for going on a Working Holiday Visa to the Gold Coast from Belgium

To be able to leave, you must:

  • To be of Belgian nationality (or of a country that is a partner of the Working Holiday Visa),

  • Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old inclusive at the time of application.

  • Not having dependent children,

  • To be in good health .

It is not possible to apply for a Working Holiday Visa before your 18th birthday , even if your departure is planned for later.

Gold Coast Working Holiday Visa Price

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.

WHAT TO DO IN AND AROUND THE GOLD COAST?

From relaxing to visiting theme parks, via water sports or hiking, an infinite number of possibilities await you during your stay on the Gold Coast.
PVT Gold Coast: Surf PVT Australia

 Browns English School

BROWNS, with campuses in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Melbourne, is our top choice for several reasons: its strategic locations, modern facilities, high-quality, personalized English courses thanks to a program individually designed for each student and coordinated by an academic advisor, the possibility for students to be placed at different levels in each skill, and a guaranteed mix of nationalities in each class. Furthermore, a range of enriching options such as a paid job at a resort , barista courses, eco-volunteer projects for whale conservation, a demi-pair program, and sports activities like diving and surfing are available (depending on the city), combined with a comprehensive activities program.

The campus is ideally located in the city center, close to cafes, shops, and the beach. The school building is just steps away from the beautiful Southport Broadwater Parklands, a green oasis perfect for sports and barbecues.
The school offers intensive English courses (20 hours of classes + 5 hours of optional self-study per week) or semi-intensive courses (10 hours of classes + 5 hours of optional self-study per week).

There are three class schedules: mornings from 8:40 to 13:10, afternoons from 13:20 to 17:35, and evenings from 17:00 to 21:20.
To ensure the quality of the program , students generally cannot choose a specific schedule upon request. The process is as follows:
You arrive on campus and take a placement test. Your class is then assigned based on your level and native language ; this ensures a good mix of different nationalities.
If you wish to change your schedule (for example, to combine classes with a job), you can request this from the student services office, and a new schedule will be arranged as soon as possible, depending on availability. Furthermore, you will be placed in a group that matches your level for each skill (for example, you might be placed in A2 for grammar but B1 for speaking). You will then attend your first English lessons, which will focus primarily on communication. Your teachers will encourage you to participate throughout the course: there's no better way to progress quickly!

It is also possible to take IELTS or Cambridge exam preparation courses.
  • Homestay accommodation without meals, half-board, or full-board in a private or shared room (couples or two friends registering together), maximum 3 students per family. Host families live within 50 minutes of the school.
  • Student shared accommodation without meals, located within walking/cycling distance of the school
  • Student residences:
    See location on the map opposite.
  • English course (minimum 5 weeks) + 6 months of paid work in minimum 4* resorts/hotels in Australia, paid a minimum of $23.23, 500 hours guaranteed over 6 months.
  • Opt for a half-pair stay (minimum 3 months)
  • English course + barista training (learn how to make coffees - making you more employable in the job market). 5-week program.
  • English lessons + tennis/yoga/surfing/diving/golf
The school activities coordinator will ensure you have an active life after school and on weekends. Activities include: barbecues, a tennis club, a squash club, a conversation club, a football club, a beach volleyball club, student parties, boat trips, excursions to Byron Bay and Fraser Island, wildlife parks, and rainforest walks, among others.

Testimonial from Maelle, former Working Holiday Visa holder in Australia who has become a fantastic colleague

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The Gold Coast is an ideal seaside resort for surf, beach, and nightlife enthusiasts. It's made up of several small towns, including Surfers Paradise – the name says it all, doesn't it? In any case, relaxation is the watchword in this region so popular with backpackers
Maelle
former Working Holiday Visa holder in Australia

Working Holiday Visa FAQ Gold Coast

Yes. The Gold Coast is a very popular destination for Belgian Working Holiday Visa holders thanks to its balance between job opportunities, beaches, and urban life . It's suitable for first-timers as well as Belgians looking for a dynamic city to work in while enjoying a pleasant lifestyle.

The Gold Coast generally offers more job opportunities accessible to Working Holiday Visa holders than Brisbane, with a more manageable cost of living than Sydney. It allows for regular work while enjoying a seaside environment, making it a good compromise for Belgians .

Yes. The job market on the Gold Coast is dynamic, especially in:

  • the hotel and restaurant industry,

  • tourism and leisure,

  • cleaning and services,

  • retail.

Competition exists, but opportunities are plentiful, especially for flexible profiles and those available quickly.

Yes. Many Belgians find work on the Gold Coast with intermediate English . Jobs accessible to Working Holiday Visa holders mainly require good basic communication skills. However, improving one's English remains essential for progressing to more stable or better-paying positions.

The cost of living on the Gold Coast is high but manageable , especially thanks to Australian salaries. Accommodation is the main expense, particularly near the beach. Many Belgians opt for shared accommodation to reduce their costs and balance their budget.

Accommodation can be tight during peak season, but it's still more affordable than in some major cities . Belgians often start with a hostel before finding a shared apartment. Neighborhoods like Southport or Robina are generally more budget-friendly.

No, a car isn't essential. The Gold Coast has an efficient public transport network (tram, bus) that makes getting around easy. However, a car becomes useful for accessing certain jobs or accommodations located further away.

Yes. The Gold Coast is well-located for reaching 88-day eligible regional areas in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Many Belgians live there while occasionally working in agriculture to renew their visas.

Yes. Thanks to its dynamism, job market and quality of life, the Gold Coast is a very good option for a first Working Holiday Visa for Belgians , especially for those who want to work quickly while enjoying the Australian experience.

All our destinations

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

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