Your second-year Working Holiday Visa
A plain-English guide to "88-day" specified work and how RuralMatch can help.
General information only. Not migration advice. Always confirm details on the official Department of Home Affairs website.
Check a postcode
Paste any Australian postcode to get a quick read on whether it's in a regional zone. Always cross-check with the official list.
What is "88-day" specified work?
If you're on a subclass 417 or 462 Working Holiday Visa, you can apply for a second year by completing at least 88 days (3 months) of specified work in a designated regional area of Australia during your first year. You can do another 6 months of specified work in your second year to qualify for a third visa.
Industries that count
- · Plant and animal cultivation — fruit picking, packing, pruning, livestock, dairy, shearing.
- · Fishing and pearling
- · Tree farming and felling
- · Mining — including coal, oil, gas, metal ore.
- · Construction — most building, plumbing, electrical, landscaping in regional areas.
- · Bushfire recovery work in declared areas.
- · Critical sectors (rules have changed over time — verify currently).
What counts as a "day"
- · A "day" means a full day's work (usually 6+ hours, or a standard shift).
- · Piece-rate work counts if it would have been a full day at minimum award hourly equivalent.
- · Sick days, weekends off, and unpaid time off generally don't count.
- · Days can be with one employer or split between several.
Protect yourself
- · You must be paid at least the legal minimum — anyone who "lets you stay free" in exchange for work is breaking the law and your days may not count.
- · Always get payslips. They prove your 88 days.
- · Get a signed Form 1263 or employment statement when you finish.
- · If something feels wrong, call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 — your visa is protected when you report.