88 Days in Australia — Complete Guide for Backpackers
To qualify for a second Working Holiday Visa in Australia, you must complete 88 calendar days of specified regional work. This guide explains exactly what counts, which regions qualify, and how to make sure your days are properly documented so Immigration accepts them.
What Is the 88-Day Requirement?
Australia's Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462) is initially granted for 12 months. To extend for a second year — and in some cases a third — you must complete 88 calendar days of specified regional work during your first year.
Calendar days means every day you're employed (including weekends if rostered) counts. You don't need to work 8 hours a day — part-time hours still count as full days if you're employed that day.
The work must be done while you're in Australia on a valid Working Holiday Visa. Work done before your visa grant or after expiry doesn't count.
Which Job Types Count Toward 88 Days?
Farm & Agriculture
Fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, pruning, planting, general labouring. Most common 88-day work.
Mining & Resources
Mining site roles, drilling crews, resource extraction. Often FIFO with high pay and full accommodation.
Pastoral Work
Cattle stations, sheep farming, dairy. Remote areas with accommodation usually provided.
Aquaculture & Fishing
Prawn farming, oyster leases, fish processing. Common in Northern Territory and South Australia.
Forestry & Logging
Tree planting, timber harvesting, forestry support roles in regional areas.
Regional Construction
Construction in designated regional postcodes. Labour and trade roles.
Which Regions Qualify?
Work must be performed in a designated regional area — specific postcodes across Australia classified as regional, rural, or remote. Major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) do NOT qualify.
Key qualifying regions include:
- Queensland: Bundaberg, Bowen, Stanthorpe, Atherton Tablelands, Moranbah
- New South Wales: Griffith, Narrabri, Young, Orange, Tamworth
- Victoria: Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Echuca
- South Australia: Riverland, Barossa Valley, Limestone Coast
- Western Australia: Kununurra, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Pilbara (mining)
- Northern Territory: Darwin region, Katherine, Tennant Creek
Every job listing on AussieWork Connect indicates whether its location counts toward your 88 days.
How to Document Your 88 Days
Immigration requires evidence. Undocumented days will not be counted. Keep the following for every employer:
- Payslips — with your name, employer name, and ABN on every slip
- Bank statements — showing wage payments from the employer
- Employment letter — signed by employer with start/end dates, role, and ABN
- Tax file number (TFN) — ensure you have one and it's been provided to your employer
Use only employers with a valid ABN. No ABN means no payslip with ABN means Immigration may reject your days. All employers on AussieWork Connect have their ABN verified before listing.
Common 88-Day Mistakes to Avoid
- Working cash-in-hand: No payslips = no evidence. Don't do it for 88-day work.
- Wrong postcode: Your employer's location must be in a designated regional postcode. Check before you start.
- Labour hire dodges: Some dodgy operators put you in city-adjacent locations that don't qualify. Always check the employer's registered address, not just where you physically work.
- Starting too late: You need 88 days within your 12-month visa. If you waste 6 months in the city, you may run out of time.
- Not keeping records contemporaneously: Reconstructing payslip records 6 months later rarely works. Keep records weekly.
Find Your 88-Day Job Now
Browse verified listings from ABN-checked employers in regional Australia.
See also: Farm Jobs Australia Guide · Jobs in Queensland