What is the Australian Working Holiday Visa?
Australia offers two main Working Holiday visas:
Subclass 417
Working Holiday
UK, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan & more (21 countries)
Subclass 462
Work and Holiday
USA, China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Portugal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Poland, Czech Republic & more (26 countries)
⚠️ Subclass 462 — extra requirements for most nationalities:
- • Functional English language proficiency
- • 2 years of undergraduate tertiary study (waived for USA & Israel applicants)
- • China, India & Vietnam must enter a paid ballot (AUD $25) and be randomly selected before applying — places are capped each year
Both visas allow you to:
Age Limits (Very Important)
Standard Age Limit
18–30 years old
You must apply before your 31st birthday.
Extended Age Limit — Up to 35
UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Canada, Denmark
You must apply before you turn 36.
You must apply before you reach the age limit — not arrive, apply.
How Long Can You Work?
| Visa | Requirement | Max / Same Employer |
|---|---|---|
| First WHV | No specified work required | Usually 6 months |
| Second WHV | 88 days specified work | No limit in some regions |
| Third WHV | 6 months specified work | No limit in some regions |
What Are the "88 Days"?
UK Passport Holders — 88 Days Exemption
From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders can be granted a second and third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa without completing any specified work. This is the result of the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA). If you hold a UK passport, the 88 days do not apply to you.
For all other nationalities, to apply for a second Working Holiday Visa you must complete 88 days (3 months) of paid specified work in approved industries in approved regional areas.
Key rules:
- • One full day of paid work = 1 day counted
- • Casual, part‑time, and full‑time work all count
- • Must be in an approved industry AND an approved postcode
- • Must be paid — volunteering generally does not count
Official government job listings
Search harvest and regional vacancies on Workforce Australia's Harvest Trail job board.
Approved Industries for 88 Days
Your work must fall into one of these categories:
Agriculture & Plant / Animal Cultivation
- Fruit & vegetable picking
- Packing sheds
- Pruning
- Dairy farming
- Harvest work
Animal Farming
- Cattle, sheep, horse farms
- Poultry farms
- Feedlots
Fishing & Pearling
- Commercial fishing
- Oyster farming
Forestry
- Tree planting
- Logging support
Mining
- Mining operations
- Oil & gas support roles
Construction (Regional Only)
- Labouring
- Bricklaying assistant
- General construction work
Bushfire Recovery & Disaster Relief
- Flood / fire clean‑up
- Recovery support
- Cyclone recovery work
Tourism & Hospitality (Northern / Remote Only)
- Hotels & restaurants in remote areas
- Tour guides & operators
- Outdoor activity instructors
- Tourist transport services
- Gallery / museum guides
What Does NOT Count
Exception: Hospitality and tourism work does count if performed in Northern or Remote/Very Remote Australia (e.g. outback resorts, remote roadhouses, Northern Territory hospitality). See the Tourism & Hospitality industry card above.
If it's not paid and not on payroll → it does not count.
Regional Areas (Critical)
Your work must be in a postcode-approved regional area.
Always check the official postcode list before accepting a job offer.
Examples that do count:
How to Calculate Your 88 Days
What counts as 1 day
- • Any day you work (even a few hours)
- • Paid public holidays
- • Paid sick days
What does NOT count
- • Unpaid leave
- • Weekends / rest days you didn't work
- • Unpaid sick days
Examples:
Proof You MUST Keep
You are responsible for your own evidence. Keep everything.
If immigration asks and you cannot prove it → visa refused.
Form 1263 (Very Important)
This is the official Specified Work Form.
It includes:
- Employer details & ABN
- Location & postcode
- Dates worked
- Signature from employer
💡 Pro tip
Ask your employer to sign Form 1263 before you leave the job. Once you're gone, it's very hard to get.
Applying for Your Second WHV
Where to apply
- • Inside Australia (bridging visa covers you)
- • Outside Australia
What you'll need
- • Valid passport
- • Employment history
- • Evidence of 88 days
- • Visa application fee
Common Mistakes (Avoid These)
Working in the wrong postcode
Always verify the job postcode against the official list before starting.
Trusting employers without an ABN
No ABN = no legitimate payroll = won't count toward 88 days.
Cash-in-hand jobs
If it's not on payroll, you can't prove it. Simple as that.
Not keeping payslips
Store them digitally. Cloud storage, email to yourself — just don't lose them.
Assuming hospitality counts
Cafés, bars, restaurants = does NOT count, even in regional areas.
Leaving the job without collecting proof
Get Form 1263 signed before your last day.
The hard truth:
Most visa refusals happen because of bad evidence, not bad intentions. Document everything from day one.
Finding Legit 88-Day Jobs
Good sources
- Workforce Australia — official Harvest Trail job board
- Regional labour hire companies
- Facebook groups (verify carefully)
Red flags
- Cash-only payment offers
- No payslips provided
- Employer has no ABN or won't share it
- "It counts for 88 days, trust me"
- Upfront fees to "get the job"
Find verified 88-day jobs here
All employers on G'Day Backpacker Jobs are ABN-verified.
After the 88 Days
Many backpackers who start with a WHV end up building long careers in Australia. The 88 days is just the beginning.
Quick Checklist
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with the Australian Department of Home Affairs.