88 Day Visa Jobs — Regional Work for WHV Extension
The 88-day regional work requirement is the key that unlocks your second Working Holiday Visa — and finding the right job shouldn't be a gamble. AussieWork Connect lists only ABN-verified employers in designated regional postcodes, so you know before you start whether the work counts toward your 88 days.
Which Jobs Count Toward the 88-Day Requirement?
Not all work in regional Australia qualifies. Immigration has specific categories of "specified work" for Working Holiday Visas:
- Plant and animal cultivation — Fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, crop farming, livestock, dairy, aquaculture. The most common category.
- Fishing and pearling — Commercial fishing operations, pearl farming. A smaller but consistent category.
- Tree farming and felling — Plantation forestry, timber harvesting. Seasonal but well-paid.
- Mining — Coal, iron ore, gold, and other mining operations in regional areas. High pay, FIFO or residential.
- Construction — Building and construction work in regional postcodes (limited eligibility).
- Hospitality/tourism — Only counts in specific regional postcodes. Check the listing before assuming it counts.
How to Track Your 88 Days
Keep a running tally from day one. Immigration can audit your records years later when you apply for further visas or permanent residency.
Payslips
Keep every payslip — digital or paper. Note the employer name, ABN, dates, hours, and pay rate. Scan and store them immediately.
Employment Record
Ask your employer for a written record: their name, Australian Business Number (ABN), your position, start/end dates, and work location postcode. Keep this signed and dated.
Bank Statements
Salary deposits are secondary proof of employment. Download monthly statements during your working period.
ImmiAccount Logging
Log your 88 days in your ImmiAccount as you go. Don't wait until you're ready to apply — it helps you track progress and provides a government record.
Best Job Types for Completing Your 88 Days
Fruit Picking & Farm Work
The most common path. Bundaberg (strawberries), Bowen (capsicums), Stanthorpe (stone fruit), Mildura (grapes) — all in designated regional postcodes. Most available year-round in the right regions. No experience required.
Mining — FIFO Operator Roles
Highest pay per hour ($38–$75/hr). Dump truck and loader operator roles don't require mining experience. A 7/7 FIFO roster can generate 14+ qualifying days per fortnight — most backpackers complete 88 days in 3–4 months. Moranbah, Blackwater, Mount Isa regions.
Cotton & Broadacre Farming
April–June cotton picking in QLD and NSW is some of the best-paying farm work ($28–$40/hr) with camp accommodation often provided. High-demand seasonal work — book early.
Cattle Station Work
Year-round in outback Queensland, NSW, and the NT. Mustering (seasonal), fencing, feedlot work. Accommodation and meals provided on station — reduces your cost of living significantly. Good for longer stays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Working in a non-designated postcode — Jobs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide do not count. Always check the job listing's postcode.
- Assuming hospitality counts — It only qualifies in specific regional postcodes. Don't assume a bar job in Byron Bay counts — check first.
- Not keeping payslips — Without documentary proof, Immigration can reject your application years later. Keep everything.
- Working for cash in hand without records — Cash jobs can be legitimate but are very hard to prove for Immigration. Always get a payslip.
- Not verifying employer ABN — The employer must have a valid ABN and be operating a legitimate business. Use AussieWork Connect's verified employers.
Find 88-Day Eligible Jobs Now
Every listing on AussieWork Connect shows whether the job is in a qualifying regional postcode. Search with confidence — start your 88 days with a verified employer.
See also: Farm Work Queensland · Mining Jobs Moranbah · Fruit Picking Stanthorpe