If you’re holding Australian qualifications and looking to work in France under the EU Blue Card scheme, your first priority should be ensuring your documents are correctly legalised. A common mistake many applicants make is assuming that their original documents alone are sufficient for visa or work permit applications. In fact, for France, being a signatory to The Hague Apostille Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention), your Australian degree certificates, academic transcripts, and professional qualifications must carry an Apostille issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
For job seekers with Australian qualifications aiming for highly skilled employment in France, securing the right documentation is not just an administrative step, it’s a legal requirement. Delays or rejections often trace back to one missing detail: the Apostille. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is the EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit that allows highly qualified non-EU nationals to live and work in an EU Member State. It’s designed to attract top talent in key industries like tech, engineering, health, and finance.
In France, the Blue Card falls under the “passeport talent” scheme. It enables skilled professionals with high-level qualifications and a valid work contract to work and reside in the country for up to four years, with a streamlined path to permanent residency.
To qualify for a Blue Card in France, applicants must:
- Hold a higher education qualification or have at least five years of professional experience
- Have a valid job offer or contract for at least one year
- Earn a minimum annual gross salary of €53,836.50 (as of 2025)
- Provide proof of valid health insurance and a travel document
- Not pose a risk to public policy
France does not require a Labour Market Test for Blue Card applications, which simplifies the process compared to some other Member States.
Why Do You Need an Apostille?
As mentioned earlier, France is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. This means that instead of undergoing a full embassy legalisation process, foreign public documents only need an Apostille from the originating country’s designated authority; in Australia’s case, this is DFAT.
An Apostille is the only accepted form of legalisation for use in France. Without it, your documents may be rejected by French authorities, resulting in delays or visa refusals.
Common Documents That Require an Apostille
For Australian nationals or graduates applying for Blue Card jobs in France, the following documents usually need to be Apostilled:
- Degree Certificates: Your Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate must be issued by an accredited Australian institution and must carry an Apostille to be accepted in France.
- Academic Transcripts: Especially important if your qualification is assessed for recognition in an unregulated profession.
- Employment Contracts or Job Offer Letters: If these are being presented as part of the initial application from an Australian-based employer or recruiter.
- National Police Certificates: In some cases, the French authorities may request this document to verify your background. If so, it must also be Apostilled.
- Company Constitution or Supporting Corporate Documents: For senior executives applying under the talent passport scheme, Apostilled corporate records may be necessary.
How the Apostille Process Works in Australia
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the sole authority authorised to issue Apostilles on Australian documents. The process is as follows:
- Step 1: If you’re submitting original documents, they must be issued by an Australian authority. If you are using copies, they must be notarised by an Australian Notary Public with a Notarial Certificate.
- Step 2: DFAT will verify the Notary Public’s credentials and issue an Apostille Certificate affixed to the document.
- Step 3: The Apostilled documents are then ready to be submitted to French authorities, such as the local préfecture or consulate during your visa or Blue Card application.
This process may sound simple, but any small error in the notarisation or Apostille step can lead to rejection or requests for resubmission. This is where a professional service like Authentifier becomes invaluable.
How Authentifier Can Help
At Authentifier, we specialise in fast, end-to-end legalisation of Australian documents for international use. For France, we make sure every required document receives the correct Apostille through DFAT and, if necessary, goes through proper notarisation beforehand.
We ensure:
- Your document is suitable for Apostille
- A qualified Australian Notary Public provides the required Notarial Certificate
- All DFAT submission guidelines are followed accurately
- Turnaround is quick, often within one week
We also offer clients free progress updates and a user-friendly online order system. With extensive experience handling documentation for job seekers with Australian qualifications, our services are tailored for the EU Blue Card process.
