Before heading to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), certain administrative procedures are essential to avoid unpleasant surprises upon arrival. Here are the key steps to complete before departure :
Purchase health insurance in Australia
Prepare an international driving permit or a NAATI certified translation if you wish to drive
Open an Australian bank account (from Belgium with our job assistance )
Consider an Australian phone plan with mobile internet (SIM card provided upon arrival at the hostel with our job assistance).
Print all your important documents (copy of visa, passport, bank statement, etc.). Australia does not require a physical visa. Your visa authorization is electronically linked to your passport. However, you must be able to present proof of visa issuance if requested.
✈️ We book your flight ticket as soon as possible to guarantee the best price and avoid additional charges on the package price.
We recommend choosing a round-trip ticket , even if you don't yet know your return date. Why? Because a round-trip ticket, with a flexible return date, is often much cheaper than two one-way tickets . This allows you to:
to comply with the conditions of certain airlines (which require proof of departure from the territory),
save on the total cost of the trip,
maintain flexibility by changing your return date later (subject to reasonable fees depending on the company).
🎯 Working Holiday Visa Tip : If you're leaving without a fixed return date, opt for a flexible ticket. You'll have peace of mind and save money in the long run.
Health insurance is mandatory for the Working Holiday Visa in Australia. It must cover medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation for the entire duration of your stay (up to 12 months).
Compare the coverages and deductibles before subscribing. Some also include civil liability , lost luggage, or trip interruption; the one we recommend was developed based on the needs of Working Holiday Visa holders and therefore includes certain work-related items, for example.
If you wish to drive in Australia (car or van), you will need:
A Belgian driving licence
AND an international driving permit (to be requested from the local council)
OR a NAATI certified translation of your license (more expensive, but sometimes required depending on the Australian state)
🚗 Check the rules of the state where you plan to live (NSW, Queensland, Victoria…): some accept the international permit, others require the NAATI translation after 3 months of stay.
To work legally and receive your salary in Australia, you need a local bank account. Through our job assistance service, you can open an account before arriving and then finalize its activation once you're there.
Also consider requesting a bank card with no fees for payments abroad (Wise, Revolut…) for your first few days, while waiting to receive your Australian card.
Upon arrival at the hostel, you will receive your SIM card with an Australian number via job assistance, essential for:
Contact employers
Book accommodation
Receive verification codes during your administrative procedures
📱 The main Australian operators:
Telstra (best coverage)
Optus (very popular among Working Holiday Visa holders)
Vodafone (good data/price ratio in cities)
💡 You can buy a SIM card at the airport , or order an eSIM to activate online. Opt for unlimited data to keep Google Maps, WhatsApp, and job boards readily available!
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
