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The 88 days of regional work is the key requirement to extend your Working Holiday Visa for a 2nd year in Australia. This guide explains exactly what counts, where to work, how to track your days, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.
Whether you're on a subclass 417 or 462 visa, the rules are the same: 88 calendar days of specified work in a regional area. Here's how to do it right.
To qualify for a 2nd year Working Holiday Visa, you must complete 88 calendar days of specified work in a designated regional area of Australia. For a 3rd year visa, you need 6 months (approximately 179 days) of specified work during your 2nd year.
The 88 days counts calendar days, not the number of days you physically work. If you are employed by a farm from Monday to Sunday but only work Monday to Friday, all 7 days count. Weekends, public holidays, and rain days count as long as you remain employed.
Not all work in regional areas counts toward your 88 days. The Australian Government defines specific categories of "specified work" that qualify.
Examples: Fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, dairy farming, livestock management, crop maintenance, pruning, planting
Most common type. This is what most backpackers do.
Examples: Commercial fishing, pearl farming, aquaculture, fish processing
Available in coastal regions, particularly NT and WA.
Examples: Forestry, tree planting, logging, timber processing
Less common but available in some regional areas.
Examples: Coal mining, gold mining, mineral extraction, quarrying
Higher pay but harder to find. Mainly in WA and QLD.
Examples: Building, renovation, demolition in regional areas
Must be in an eligible regional area. Not available in major cities.
Examples: Hotels, restaurants in regional tourism areas (bushfire/COVID recovery)
May count if in designated regional areas during recovery periods. Check current eligibility.
Examples: City restaurants, retail shops, offices, call centers
Generally does NOT count unless part of specified work in regional areas.
Your work must be in a designated regional area. Most of Australia outside major cities qualifies, but you should always verify the postcode before starting work.
Accurate tracking is critical. Many visa applications are rejected because applicants cannot prove they completed the full 88 days. Here's what to track and keep.
Keep every single payslip. They show dates worked, hours, employer ABN, and payment amounts. This is your primary proof.
Get a written contract or letter from each employer confirming start date, end date, type of work, and location.
Bank statements showing wage deposits corroborate your payslips. Immigration may request these.
The official government form for employers to certify your specified work. Not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Keep a daily log of where you worked, what you did, and how many hours. Useful if there are discrepancies.
Upload your payslips and let our calculator automatically count your days, verify eligible postcodes, and track your progress toward 88 days.
Try the 88 Days CalculatorThose days will NOT count. Your application will be rejected if you fall short.
Fix: Always verify the postcode on the government's eligible areas list before starting work.
You cannot prove your days. Immigration may reject your application.
Fix: Save every payslip digitally (photo/scan) and keep physical copies. Use the 88Finder Calculator to upload and track them.
Cash-in-hand work does not count. No ABN = no proof = no visa.
Fix: Verify the employer's ABN before starting. Use 88Finder to find ABN-verified farms.
You may think you need more days than you actually do, or miscalculate your total.
Fix: Count from your first day of employment to your last day, including weekends and days off while employed.
Work must be in specified industries (agriculture, fishing, mining, construction) or designated recovery work.
Fix: Verify your work type and location are eligible before starting. Check the official government list.
Days between jobs where you are not employed do not count.
Fix: Line up your next job before finishing the current one. Minimize gaps.
Once you've completed your 88 days and gathered all documentation, you can apply for your next visa.
1-3 months typically
Via ImmiAccount
Inside or outside Australia
Get TFN, bank account, find accommodation, start job search on 88Finder.
Begin specified work. First 1-2 weeks are the hardest physically. Build stamina.
Work consistently. Track days carefully. Save payslips. Working 5-6 days/week = ~14-18 weeks total.
Collect all payslips, get employer references, prepare Form 1263.
Submit application via ImmiAccount. Continue working while waiting for approval (1-3 months).
Calendar days count, not just work days. If you are employed Monday to Sunday but only physically work Monday to Friday, all 7 days count. Weekends, public holidays, and rain days count as long as you remain employed.
Yes, you can work for multiple employers. Each period must be in an eligible area doing specified work. Keep separate documentation for each employer.
Paid sick leave counts. Unpaid days where you are not on the payroll do not count. Rain days where you are employed but cannot work generally count.
Employers are legally required to provide payslips within 1 day of payment. If they refuse, this is a red flag. Contact Fair Work (13 13 94). Without payslips, proving your days is very difficult.
Yes, and this is the easiest approach. Working continuously for one employer in one location minimizes paperwork and gaps. 88 consecutive calendar days = approximately 3 months.
Your visa application will be rejected. Always aim for 90+ days to have a buffer. It's better to do a few extra days than risk rejection.
Search verified farms in eligible regional areas. ABN-checked employers, real contact details, no scams.