After your first Working Holiday Visa in Australia, you have the possibility to renew your WHV in Australia up to 2 times. For this, you must (among other things) have worked at least 88 days in rural areas (specific activities and geographic areas). Since 2019, holders of a WHV can claim a third visa. To be eligible, it is necessary to carry out 6 months of specified work in regional areas while they are on their second WHV. You will find in this article the list of all the regional areas of Australia eligible to get a second and third Working Holiday Visa.
Please note once the Free Trade Agreement enters into force, UK passport holders will be granted a visa for up to 3 years without the need to undertake farm work. Refer to FTA Australia – UK for more information.
Renew your Working Holiday Visa – Overview
You have the possibility to renew your WHV in Australia up to 2 times. For this, you must be between 18 and 31 or 35 years old (depending on your nationality), have a valid passport and have worked at least 88 days in rural areas (specific activities and geographic areas).
Since 2019, holders of a WHV can claim a third visa. To be eligible, it is necessary to carry out 6 months of specified work in regional areas while they are on their second WHV. The types of jobs and eligible regions are the same as for the second visa.
In all cases, all specified subclass 462 or 417 work must be paid in accordance with the relevant Australian legislation and awards.
In addition, following the bushfires and floods that hit the country in 2020 and 2021, the Australian government has implemented changes to allow backpackers to participate in the country’s recovery while renewing their WHV. New regions and new jobs have been added for renewal. Voluntary work can only be included as specified work where it is related to bushfire recovery work undertaken in declared bushfire-affected areas or to flood recovery work undertaken in flood affected areas (see below).
Eligible Jobs for a second & third year visa
Remember that not all jobs are eligible to qualify you to renew your Working Holiday Visa.
Regional work – Eligible postcodes
Unfortunately, not all areas are eligible to complete specified work.
Work carried out in the following areas of regional Australia in plant and animal cultivation and construction, is eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
Specified work carried out in the following areas of regional Australia is eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa.
Prior to starting any work, you should ensure that the location of the work is in an eligible regional area.
Source: www.homeaffairs.gov.au
For the original list of all the postcodes, just click here
Disaster-affected regions – Eligible postcodes
Bushfire recovery work
Following the tragic fires that hit Australia in the summer of 2019-2020, the government has implemented changes. This is to allow backpackers to participate in the recovery of the country while renewing their WHV. We talk about “assisting bush recovery efforts” or “disaster recovery work”. Bushfire recovery work must be carried out after 31 July 2019.
Here is the list of eligible regions in the disaster areas:
Flood affected areas
Flood recovery work carried out from 1 January 2022 in the following areas of Australia is eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417, 462) visa application lodged from 1 July 2022.
Remote and very remote Australia – Eligible postcodes
Tourism and hospitality work carried out from 22 June 2021 in the following areas of remote and very remote Australia will be considered eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417, 462) visa application lodged from March 2022.
Eligible postcodes in Northern Australia
Tourism and hospitality work carried out from 22 June 2021 in the following areas of northern Australia will be considered eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa application lodged from March 2022.
Work carried out in the following areas of northern Australia in tourism and hospitality, plant and animal cultivation, forestry and fishing is eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
How to find regional work in Australia?
There are different ways to approach employers, either by phone or by contacting farmers in person. Download our Backpackers guide to access contact details of over +500 farms. Vacancies specifically for plant and animal cultivation can also be found on Harvest Trail.
You can also find a job online, by searching on job boards or the website Gumtree, which publishes all kinds of classified ads. Apart from that, you have to watch out for scams! A great way to find a job in fruit picking is by word of mouth. Also, ask around in hostels.
Don’t leave it until the end of your stay to arrange your specified work! Unforeseen circumstances (bad weather, illness or not finding enough work) may prevent you to complete the required period of specified work.
Download the Backpackers Guide
Our FREE 400-page eBook contains all the information you need for your WHV in Australia :
- administrative procedures
- transport and ways of travelling
- jobs & +500 fruit picking contacts
- regions and practical life
- numerous discounts
Disclaimer: The extracted information is subject to change quickly, we advise you to always check the eligibility of the postcode on the Australian immigration website.
Article updated on 26/01/2023
Good day,
Is Fraser Island code 4581 is eligible for second year in hospitality (462 visa)?
Cheers
Hi,
Only work carried out in areas of northern Australia is eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.It must be located north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Unfortunately Fraser is not included. Cheers
Hello, I have a question regarding the times to apply for the second working holiday. I am 35 years old and I turn 36 on the 7th of April. I just got the first 417 working holiday visa granted. I am determined to go to Cairns asap to work for 3 months in order to qualify for the second working holiday. Can I apply for the second working holiday before I turn 36? (I have Italian passport).
In the official government site its written till 35 for Italians. But I dont understand if it meens that I Have to apply before 36 ?
Thank you!
Hi Nicola,
It is 35 inclusive – which means that you can apply for the visa until your 36th bday. Cheers
Does work as a tour guide on the whitsunday’s count as 88day visa extension work?
Hey, shoudl work but please check postcode of your location. Cheers
Does the town Toowoomba count towards 417 for tourism? Keep getting really confused with the gov website
Hi Jessica, check the postcode of where you are staying to be sure (for 417 : https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/specified-work) . Cheers
Does Nerang 4211 count for 2nd year visa to work in hospitality?
Thank you
Hi Colette, For a WHV 417 -> 4211 is listed in regional area and not remote 🙁
Hi there,
I was wondering, I’m supposed to get a job in Buderim, 4556 age care center. I’m under 417 visa, is that count for second year ?
Hi Nolwenn, the work carried out must be critical to Australia’s response to COVID-19 including:
-medical treatment, nursing, contact tracing, testing and research
-support services including cleaning of medical, health care and quarantine facilities and equipment directly involved in the response to COVID-19
Cheers
Hi there, is a grounds maintenance job eligible for a second WHM?
Regards,
Troy
Hi Troy,
Depends of where you are doing the maintenance (industry) Cheers
Hi,
I was hoping to do rural hospitality at Airlee Beach as my ‘regional’ for second year visa. Some of the nearby Whitsunday islands are classified but I’m unsure about Airlee Beach itself https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/specified-work
Hi Aine, it seems indeed that Airlie is not listed in remote / very remote Australia. Cheers
Hi
How are you?
I have been in two different woofing that can be eligible for extend my visa. I was there like woofer as the rule of the bush fire.
Can you tell me if the postcodes are ok?
It s 2429 et 7116.
Thanks you very very much!
Hi there, 2429 is eligible but not the other one
Hi there
I’m interested in offering work for travellers and I am in a bushfire and flood affected postcode area. Is the process to apply difficult and arduous for either the sponsors or the interested parties?
Thanks
Anna
Hi Anna, there is no process for you to follow, you just need to make backpackers know that work is available at your place and eligible to renew their visa. feel free to post on FB pages or groups or even gumtree 🙂
Hi Anna
I’m interested of work in flooted area(close to sydney like 2018 post code)
Please let me know and we keep in touch to see if its possible for me
Thank you
Stefania
Hi Stefania,
Flood recovery work carried out from 1 January 2022 is eligible specified work for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday- 2018 is listed as eligible. Cheers
Hi, does doing housekeeping in Exmouth count towards the 2nd year visa (currently on the 417 visa)
Hi there, 6707 is an eligible postcode for renewal. Housekeeping in Tourism and hospitality sectors will be ok. Cheers
Hello , Airlie beach is available for the 3nd visa ?
Hi Bonin, 4802 is not listed in the postcodes 🙁
Hi I’m just wondering if working in a cafe in Dubbo-postcode 2830 counts towards the 88 days? I’m confused by two different answers.
Thank you
Hi there,
Work in hospitality and tourism must be in remote or very remote Australia. Dubbo is not listed there. Cheers
Hi there! Nice info.
Is there any postcode close to Brisbane, that counts towards the 88 days?
Thanks!
Hi R
Yes there are check the jobs available in those areas. Cheers