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WHV Australia: specified work in disaster affected areas to renew your WHV

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WHV Australia: specified work in disaster affected areas to renew your WHV

Following the recent climatic disasters that have hit the country, the Australian government has introduced changes to the law to allow backpackers to help get the country back on its feet while renewing their WHV. The new visa policy allows WHV/PWP holders working in areas affected by fires, floods or cyclones to use the days they worked to renew their Working Holiday Visa. The definition of eligible jobs has also been revised to ensure that construction work in disaster areas is included. We tell you everything you need to know in this article

Changes to the renewal of the WHV

The Australian government has unveiled temporary changes to working holiday visas to encourage backpackers to help rebuild communities ravaged by fire and flooding while still being able to renew their working holiday visas.

As a result of these changes, volunteer work carried out in disaster areas now counts towards the days required to renew your WHV visa (for a second and third year). Jobs must be carried out in one of the disaster areas listed by the government. Similarly, not all jobs are eligible (see below).

Volunteer work counts towards renewing your WHV

To renew your Working Holiday Visa for a second year, you must carry out 88 days or 3 months of specified work. To renew your Working Holiday Visa for a third year, you must carry out 6 months of specified work.

Voluntary work helping to rebuild properties and businesses devastated by recent climatic disasters is taken into account for WHV visa renewals.

Many organisations are looking for volunteers. This would motivate young people to get involved while having the opportunity to renew their Working Holiday Visa. BlazeAid is one of them if you are keen to volunteer.

These jobs must be carried out in specific areas listed by the government. Here is the list:

Eligible postcodes and jobs

Eligible postcodes for bushfire work

Following the tragic fires that hit Australia in 2019-2020, the government allows 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 July 2019.

New South Wales
2069 to 2076, 2083, 2173, 2178, 2224 to 2234, 2250 to 2251, 2256 to 2265, 2267, 2278, 2280 to 2287, 2289 to 2290, 2305 to 2306, 2311 to 2312, 2315 to 2331, 2331, 2333 to 2339, 2340 to 2341, 2344 to 2347, 2350 to 2356, 2358 to 2361, 2365, 2369 to 2372, 2382, 2386 to 2388, 2390, 2396 to 2406, 2408 to 2411, 2415, 2420 to 2431, 2439 to 2441, 2443 to 2450, 2452 to 2456, 2460, 2462 to 2466, 2469 to 2490, 2500, 2502, 2505 to 2506, 2508, 2515 to 2519, 2525 to 2526, 2530, 2535 to 2541, 2545 to 2546, 2548 to 2551, 2555, 2560, 2568 to 2588, 2590, 2594, 2611, 2618 to 2633, 2640, 2642, 2644, 2646, 2649 to 2653, 2656, 2658 to 2661, 2701 to 2702, 2716, 2720, 2722, 2725 to 2727, 2729 to 2730, 2733, 2745, 2747 to 2750, 2752 to 2759, 2765, 2773 to 2780, 2782 to 2787, 2790 to 2795, 2797 to 2800, 2803 to 2808, 2818, 2820, 2822, 2824 to 2826, 2828 to 2835, 2838 to 2840, 2844 to 2850, 2852, 2864 to 2868, 2870, 2873, 2877, 4375, 4377, 4380, 4383, 4385
Queensland
4114, 4118 to 4119, 4124 to 4125, 4127 to 4133, 4157 to 4161, 4163 to 4165, 4183 to 4184, 4205, 4207 to 4218, 4220 to 4230, 4270 to 4272, 4275, 4280, 4285, 4287, 4300 to 4301, 4303 to 4307, 4309 to 4314, 4340 to 4347, 4350, 4352 to 4365, 4370 to 4378, 4380 to 4385, 4387 to 4388, 4390, 4400 to 4407, 4417, 4426 to 4428, 4454 to 4455, 4461 to 4462, 4465, 4467, 4474, 4480, 4486 to 4488, 4492 to 4494, 4496 to 4498, 4514 to 4515, 4517 to 4519, 4550 to 4575, 4580 to 4581, 4600 to 4601, 4605, 4614 to 4615, 4621, 4625 to 4627, 4630, 4650, 4660, 4670 to 4671, 4673 to 4674, 4676 to 4678, 4680, 4694 to 4695, 4697, 4701 to 4706, 4709 to 4712, 4717, 4720, 4722 to 4723, 4741, 4810 to 4812, 4814 to 4816, 4818 to 4819, 4849 to 4850, 4852, 4854 to 4856, 4858 to 4861, 4865, 4868, to 4873, 4877 to 4888, 4890 to 4892, 4895
Australian Capital Territory
All of the areas of ACT
Tasmania
7017, 7026 to 7027, 7030, 7116, 7119, 7120, 7140, 7150, 7190, 7212 to 7216, 7264, 7270, 7275, 7304
South Australia
5052, 5072 to 5073, 5076, 5110, 5112 to 5118, 5120 to 5121, 5131 to 5134, 5136 to 5142, 5144, 5151 to 5157, 5201, 5220 to 5223, 5231 to 5238, 5240 to 5245, 5250 to 5255, 5259 to 5261, 5264 to 5267, 5271, 5273, 5275, 5301 to 5304, 5320 to 5321, 5351, 5353 to 5354, 5356 to 5357, 5374, 5552, 5558, 5570 to 5573, 5575 to 5577, 5580 to 5583, 5605 to 5607, 5630 to 5632
Victoria
3116, 3138 to 3140, 3158 to 3160, 3213, 3218, 3233 to 3234, 3236 to 3239, 3241 to 3243, 3249 to 3251, 3254, 3260, 3264 to 3266, 3268, 3270 to 3287, 3289, 3292 to 3294, 3300 to 3305, 3309 to 3312, 3314 to 3315, 3317, 3321 to 3322, 3328 to 3333, 3342, 3350 to 3352, 3355 to 3357, 3360 to 3361, 3363 to 3364, 3373 to 3375, 3377 to 3381, 3384, 3387 to 3388, 3401, 3407, 3444, 3446, 3451, 3453, 3458, 3460 to 3461, 3467 to 3469, 3475, 3477 to 3478, 3480, 3515 to 3516, 3523, 3550 to 3551, 3555 to 3559, 3570, 3607 to 3608, 3610, 3612, 3614, 3616 to 3618, 3629 to 3631, 3633 to 3634, 3646 to 3647, 3664 to 3666, 3669 to 3670, 3672 to 3673, 3675, 3677 to 3678, 3682 to 3683, 3685, 3687 to 3688, 3690 to 3691, 3694 to 3695, 3697 to 3699, 3700 to 3701, 3704 to 3705, 3707 to 3709, 3711 to 3715, 3717 to 3720, 3722 to 3723, 3725 to 3726, 3732 to 3733, 3735, 3737 to 3741, 3744, 3746 to 3747, 3749, 3757, 3763, 3765 to 3767, 3770, 3777 to 3779, 3781 to 3783, 3785 to 3789, 3791 to 3793, 3795 to 3797, 3799, 3807 to 3810, 3812 to 3816, 3818, 3820 to 3825, 3831 to 3833, 3835, 3840, 3842, 3844, 3847, 3850 to 3852, 3854, 3856 to 3860, 3862, 3864 to 3865, 3869 to 3871, 3873 to 3875, 3878, 3880, 3882, 3885 to 3893, 3895 to 3896, 3898, 3900, 3902 to 3904, 3909, 3946, 3950, 3953 to 3960, 3962, 3964 to 3967, 3971, 3978, 3980 to 3981, 3984, 3987 to 3988, 6302, 6304, 6635
Western Australia
6030 to 6038, 6055, 6063 to 6069, 6077 to 6079, 6083, 6090, 6306, 6528, 6628, 6630 to 6632, 6640, 6642, 6646, 6705, 6721 to 6722, 6725 to 6726, 6753, 6758, 6760, 6762
Northern Territory
0822, 0847, 0852, 0854, 0860, 0862, 0872 to 0875

Natural disaster declared areas

Recovery work carried out from 31 December 2021 in the following areas of Australia declared affected by other natural disasters, such as flood, cyclones or severe weather events, are eligible for specified work for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday visa. This applies to applications lodged on or after 2 February 2024 and undecided applications on this date.

New South Wales
2011, 2018 to 2020, 2032, 2035 to 2036, 2038 to 2042, 2044 to 2045, 2048 to 2050, 2067, 2069 to 2077, 2079 to 2087, 2092 to 2097, 2099 to 2108, 2110 to 2122, 2125 to 2128, 2130 to 2133, 2141 to 2148, 2150 to 2168, 2170 to 2179, 2190 to 2200, 2203 to 2234, 2250 to 2251, 2256 to 2263, 2287, 2289, 2291 to 2300, 2302 to 2305, 2307 to 2308, 2311 to 2312, 2315 to 2331, 2333 to 2347, 2350 to 2361, 2365, 2369 to 2372, 2379 to 2382, 2386 to 2388, 2390, 2395 to 2406, 2408 to 2411, 2415, 2420 to 2431, 2439 to 2441, 2443 to 2450, 2452 to 2456, 2460, 2462 to 2466, 2469 to 2490, 2500, 2502, 2505 to 2506, 2508, 2515 to 2519, 2525 to 2530, 2533 to 2541, 2545 to 2546, 2548, 2549 to 2551, 2555 to 2560, 2563 to 2588, 2590, 2594, 2611, 2618 to 2633, 2640 to 2653, 2655 to 2656, 2658 to 2661, 2663, 2665 to 2666, 2668 to 2669, 2671 to 2672, 2675, 2678, 2680 to 2681, 2700 to 2703, 2705 to 2707, 2710 to 2717, 2720 to 2722, 2725 to 2727, 2729 to 2739, 2745, 2747 to 2750, 2752 to 2754, 2756 to 2763, 2765 to 2770, 2773 to 2780, 2782 to 2787, 2790 to 2795, 2797 to 2800, 2803 to 2810, 2818, 2820 to 2826, 2828 to 2836, 2838 to 2840, 2843 to 2850, 2852, 2864 to 2871, 2873 to 2879, 2898, 3644, 3691, 3707, 4375, 4377, 4380, 4383, 4385
Queensland
2817, 2827, 2842, 4000, 4005 to 4014, 4017 to 4022, 4025, 4030 to 4032, 4034 to 4037, 4051, 4053 to 4055, 4059 to 4061, 4064 to 4070, 4073 to 4078, 4101 to 4125, 4127 to 4133, 4151 to 4161, 4163 to 4165, 4169 to 4174, 4178 to 4179, 4183 to 4184, 4205, 4207 to 4218, 4220 to 4221, 4223 to 4228, 4270, 4272, 4275, 4280, 4285, 4287, 4300 to 4301, 4303 to 4307, 4309 to 4314, 4340 to 4344, 4346 to 4347, 4350, 4352 to 4365, 4370 to 4378, 4380 to 4385, 4387 to 4388, 4390, 4400 to 4408, 4410 to 4413, 4415 to 4428, 4454 to 4455, 4461 to 4462, 4465, 4467 to 4468, 4470, 4474, 4477, 4479, 4480 to 4481, 4486 to 4494, 4496 to 4498, 4500 to 4521, 4550 to 4575, 4580 to 4581, 4600 to 4601, 4605 to 4606, 4608, 4610 to 4615, 4620 to 4621, 4625 to 4627, 4630, 4650, 4655, 4659 to 4660, 4662, 4670 to 4671, 4673 to 4674, 4676 to 4678, 4680, 4694 to 4695, 4697, 4702, 4709, 4712, 4715 to 4720, 4722 to 4723, 4736, 4741, 4800, 4804 to 4812, 4814 to 4816, 4818 to 4819, 4822 to 4825, 4828 to 4830, 4849 to 4850, 4852, 4854 to 4856, 4858 to 4861, 4865, 4868 to 4873, 4877 to 4892, 4895
Northern Territory
0822, 0847, 0852, 0854, 0860, 0862, 0870, 0872 to 0875
South Australia
5157, 5172, 5201, 5210 to 5214, 5236 to 5238, 5253 to 5256, 5259 to 5261, 5264 to 5267, 5301 to 5302, 5304, 5306 to 5311, 5321 to 5322, 5330 to 5333, 5340 to 5346, 5354, 5357
Tasmania
7011 to 7012, 7054, 7109, 7112 to 7113, 7116 to 7117, 7139, 7140, 7150, 7163, 7212, 7248 to 7249, 7250, 7258, 7268, 7270, 7275, 7290 to 7292, 7301 to 7307, 7310, 7315
Victoria
3000, 3002 to 3004, 3006, 3008, 3011, 3013, 3019, 3024, 3029, 3031 to 3032, 3034, 3039 to 3041, 3051 to 3054, 3065 to 3067, 3089 to 3091, 3096 to 3097, 3099, 3101 to 3104, 3116, 3121 to 3124, 3126 to 3127, 3133, 3135 to 3141, 3146 to 3147, 3158 to 3160, 3207, 3213, 3218, 3243, 3249 to 3251, 3254, 3260, 3264 to 3270, 3277, 3280 to 3283, 3285, 3289, 3292 to 3294, 3300 to 3305, 3309 to 3312, 3314 to 3315, 3317, 3321 to 3325, 3328 to 3333, 3335 to 3338, 3342, 3350, 3352, 3355 to 3358, 3360 to 3361, 3363 to 3364, 3370 to 3371, 3373, 3380, 3384, 3387 to 3388, 3393, 3395, 3401, 3407, 3431 to 3435, 3437 to 3438, 3440 to 3442, 3444, 3446 to 3448, 3450 to 3451, 3453, 3458, 3460 to 3465, 3467 to 3468, 3472, 3475, 3477 to 3478, 3480, 3482 to 3483, 3485, 3488 to 3489, 3491, 3494, 3496, 3498, 3500 to 3501, 3505 to 3507, 3509, 3512, 3515 to 3518, 3520 to 3523, 3525, 3527, 3529 to 3531, 3533, 3537, 3540, 3542, 3544, 3546, 3549 to 3551, 3555 to 3559, 3561 to 3568, 3570 to 3573, 3575 to 3576, 3579 to 3581, 3583 to 3586, 3588 to 3591, 3594 to 3597, 3599, 3607 to 3608, 3610, 3612, 3614, 3616 to 3618, 3620 to 3624, 3629 to 3631, 3633 to 3641, 3646 to 3647, 3649, 3658 to 3660, 3662 to 3666, 3669 to 3670, 3672 to 3673, 3675, 3677 to 3678, 3682 to 3683, 3685, 3687 to 3688, 3690, 3695, 3697 to 3699, 3701, 3711 to 3715, 3717 to 3720, 3722 to 3723, 3725 to 3728, 3730, 3732 to 3733, 3735, 3737 to 3741, 3744, 3746 to 3747, 3749, 3754, 3756 to 3767, 3770, 3775, 3777 to 3779, 3781 to 3783, 3785 to 3789, 3791 to 3793, 3795 to 3797, 3799, 3807 to 3810, 3812 to 3816, 3818, 3820 to 3825, 3831 to 3833, 3835, 3840, 3842, 3844, 3847, 3850 to 3852, 3854, 3856 to 3860, 3862, 3864 to 3865, 3869 to 3871, 3873 to 3875, 3878, 3880, 3882, 3885 to 3893, 3895 to 3896, 3898, 3900, 3902 to 3904, 3909, 3913, 3915 to 3916, 3918 to 3920, 3922 to 3923, 3925 to 3931, 3933 to 3934, 3936 to 3946, 3950 to 3951, 3953 to 3954, 3956 to 3960, 3962, 3964 to 3967, 3971, 3978 to 3981, 3984, 3987 to 3988, 3990 to 3992, 3995 to 3996, 6635
Western Australia
6030 to 6038, 6055, 6063 to 6069, 6077 to 6079, 6083, 6090, 6275, 6280 to 6282, 6284 to 6286, 6288, 6290, 6302, 6304, 6306, 6528, 6628, 6630 to 6632, 6640, 6642, 6646, 6705, 6721 to 6722, 6725 to 6726, 6728, 6740, 6743, 6753, 6758, 6760, 6762, 6765, 6770

Approved specified work

Specified work in assisting bush recovery efforts or flood recovery work is any type of work described in the list below:

  • Construction, farming, or any other work in association with recovery or restitution of land, property, farm animals or wildlife
  • Providing support services or assistance to people living, working or volunteering in the affected areas

Examples of construction work that qualify as specified work include:

  • demolition of buildings, trench digging, land clearing and earth moving
  • residential and non-residential construction or renovation/repair, including of roads, footpaths, bridges, parking lots, fencing, railways, dams, irrigation systems, sewage and storm water drainage systems

Read more: Eligible jobs for a second and third year visa in Australia

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The ultimate guide to work and travel around Australia with a Working Holiday Visa! Get all the tips and advice from other backpackers. The first travel guide written by Backpackers for Backpackers in Australia!!!
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39 COMMENTS

  2. Hi, Wheres is the best place to find regional working jobs like fruit picking and farm hands or bushfire recovery with no experience?

  3. Hi !
    Does woofing in a business not affected by bushfires (mostly harvest of fruits and vegetables, weeding etc), in a town that has been affected by the bushfires count for the 88 days ?
    Thank you very much!
    Vic

    • Hi Icar, volunteering must be in affected areas and missions such as Construction, farming, or any other work in association with recovery or restitution of land, property, farm animals or wildlife. Or Providing support services or assistance to people living, working or volunteering in the affected areas. Cheers

  4. Hi,When I volunteer in a particular area and apply for a second visa with the Immigration Service, do you know what kind of certificates I should submit?

  5. Thanks a lot!
    Do you have a specific format for letters from family members or companies?
    Or is the layout free as long as you fill in the days, hours and mission? Can the letter be handwritten?

  6. Hello, thank you for this wonderful article.

    I’m on my 462 Working Holiday Visa and I am currently looking for any jobs in Tingalpa QLD 4173 for the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday visa.

    Postcode 4173 is under among the Queensland flood affected regional areas. May i know how can i find specified work in assisting flood recovery work in QLD 4173 ?

  7. Hello ! Thanks a lot for your article !

    I am now volunteering in a bushfire area but at a particular farm, not a company or a volunteer place. Does it count for the 88 days ?
    I can’t find any details about that and I am not sure how to prove it, what documents to show and if working at someone’s place is counting for it ? She is not a wwoofing or anything like that.

    Thanks a lot !
    Have a nice day ! 🙂

  8. Hey, do you know if the volunteer hours per week need to be the same as the working hours to count towards the 88 days?
    Meaning do you have to volunteer for at least 37 hours per week to count for 7 days?
    Or is there a minimum daily hours you must achieve?
    Thanks

  9. Hi, do you know if doing Admin for the infrastructure of a bridge to avoid flooding in a flood recovery area will cover my 88 days?

  10. Hi! Im currently doing woofing in an area which the post code is eligible for the bushfire and flood recovery. To apply for my second year, do you have to use a specific format for letters from the farmer?
    Or is the layout free as long as you fill in the days, hours and mission?

  11. Hi! Did I understand well: if I work as a farm hand or I am doing farm work in a flooded area / bushfire area it counts towards my days for another WHV?
    Cheers!

  12. Hi I’ve been working in a flooded or bushfire affected area for over 6 months as a volunteer, (2483 Billinudgel) how do I show proof of this when applying for my third working holiday visa?
    Thanks

  13. Hello. Thanks for your informations!
    I’ve got a job at a campsite in a flood and fire zone. I’ll be working on restoring the site and preventing forest fires. What documents do I need to provide for this to count towards the 88 days? What exactly should appear in my contract?

  14. Hello,
    I’m working for a company in a flood affected area which produces Stormwater, Water, and Sewer infrastructure products. Will this count to towards the 88 days regional work?

    Thanks for your help

  15. Thank you for your answers! I’m just wondering about the letter of honour from the employer. Does it have to be handwritten or does it not matter in Australia?

  16. Hello, when a company submits a letter of honour, does it have to be registered with the immigration authorities or be subject to verification?

  17. Hi, does admin/office work for a construction company that works in a flood affected area count? The type of Contruction is in the list above but do I need to be actively doing the construction or is my office work that contributes to the construction work eligible? And is there any specific requirement to live in the affected area?

  18. I’m looking for a tractor operator job overseas with 7 years of experience can u assist me with jobs please even any other general farm jobs I do with hard working spirit I’m 28years old men thank u

  19. Hey, what is meant by applications logged in on or after 2nd of February 2024 regarding the Natural Disaster Recovery Volunteering? Do they mean you have to have gotten your first WHV after those dates, or the application for the second one having to be logged on only after those dates, to count in as 88 days?

  20. Hello! A job in a small construction business (welding) would it count in jamberoo/kiama 2533 for natural disaster work?

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