This factsheet outlines the requirements for completing the 88 days (or 3 months) of specified work required to apply for a second-year Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa in Australia.
Overview of the 88 Day Requirement
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The Australian Government requires Working Holiday Makers to complete a minimum of 88 calendar days (or 3 months) of specified work in a designated regional area to be eligible for a second year visa.
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Specified work includes certain jobs in agriculture, construction (in eligible areas), mining, fishing, and disaster recovery, as defined by the Department of Home Affairs.
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All work must be completed within your first visa period and meet the eligibility requirements for location, industry, and employment conditions.
Eligible Industries and Locations
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Industries:
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Plant and animal cultivation (e.g. harvesting, planting, pruning, packing)
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Fishing and pearling
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Tree farming and felling
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Mining
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Construction in eligible postcodes
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Bushfire or flood recovery (specific activities only)
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Locations:
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Work must be in a postcode classified as “regional” for visa purposes.
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Always check the official postcode list on the Department of Home Affairs website before accepting work.
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How to Count Your Days (Accurately)
The 88 days are calendar days of work, not simply “shifts” or “hours worked.” Immigration assesses them based on clear rules:
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Full Days of Work
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One day is counted for each day you work a full standard shift in the industry.
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In horticulture, a full day is generally 7-8 hours.
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If you only work a few hours because the employer finishes early or the weather stops work, it will still count as a full day if you were available for the full shift and this is normal for that industry.
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Part-Time Work
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Consecutive vs. Split Days
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Days can be worked back to back or spread out over time.
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You do not have to work them in one block.
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Rest Days and Weekends
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Non-working days (including weekends) do not count unless you physically worked on those days.
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Example: If you work Monday to Friday, only 5 days are counted that week.
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Multiple Employers
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You can combine days from different farms or employers as long as all meet the postcode, industry, and pay requirements.
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Employment Type
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Paid employment under Australian workplace laws counts.
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“Cash jobs” or work without tax records will not count.
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Proof Requirements
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Keep payslips, bank statements, and contracts for all periods of work. Immigration can request these, even years later.
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Ensure the employer’s ABN matches the business you are working for and appears on your payslips.
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The “35 Hours = 7 Days” Myth
A common misunderstanding among backpackers is the belief that working 35 hours in a week will automatically count as 7 days toward the 88 day requirement.
This is only true if all of the following apply:
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You are employed full-time (not casual).
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Your contract covers the entire week, including paid rest days.
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Your hours meet the full-time standard for that industry (generally 38 hours per week).
If you are a casual employee under the Horticulture Award (which is the case for most backpackers) only the actual days worked count.
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Example: If you work 35 hours over 4 days, you can only claim 4 days toward your 88 day tally.
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Rest days, even if you’ve already worked “full-time hours” earlier in the week, will not count.
Unless you have a full-time contract, your 88 days are based on the number of days you physically work, not on the total hours in a week.
Why “3 Months” Causes Confusion
The term “3 months” in the 88 day requirement is one of the biggest sources of mistakes.
Many backpackers see “3 months” and assume it means three calendar months from start date to finish date, regardless of how many days they actually worked in that period.
This is wrong.
Immigration measures work days, not simply time on the calendar. If you only work 5 days a week for 3 months, you will not reach 88 days, you’ll only have around 65 days. You’d still be short by over three weeks of work.
The confusion comes from the fact that for full-time (NOT casual) contracted roles, “3 months” may count rest days as part of employment. But in casual farm work (under the Horticulture Award), which most backpackers are on, rest days are not included.
The result:
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Backpackers start too late or finish thinking they’re done, only to find out they’re 10–20 days short.
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By the time they realise, the season may have ended or their visa may be nearly expired, leaving little time to make it up.
Always calculate based on 88 actual working days, not “3 months on the calendar.”
Proof of Completion
You must be able to provide:
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Payslips showing gross pay and tax deductions
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Employer’s ABN (Australian Business Number)
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Bank statements showing wage deposits
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Employer references or completion forms (if requested by Immigration)
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Details of work performed, including location and dates
Common Reasons Days Are Rejected
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Working outside eligible postcodes
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Performing non-qualifying duties (e.g. café work on a farm)
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Cash in hand jobs without tax records
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Insufficient proof of employment
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Misunderstanding “88 days” as “three calendar months” without accounting for days off
Reducing the Risk of Falling Short
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Start early: Begin your regional work well before the end of your visa.
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Verify eligibility: Confirm postcode and industry before starting.
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Track progress: Maintain a log of all days worked, supported by payslips.
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Use reputable labour hire providers: Providers such as Left Field can place workers across multiple farms, ensuring consistent hours and reducing the risk of falling short if one employer slows down.
Further Information:
Refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for the most current list of eligible industries, postcodes, and acceptable proof of work at www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
