Do You Have To Do 88 Days In Australia?

Gabby Boucher

February 14th, 2024

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5 minute read

Do you have to do 88 days in Australia? Only those hoping to get a Second Year Working Holiday Visa have to complete 88 days of regional work in Australia. It is a requirement for continuing your WHV beyond one year. But 88 days can actually be a super cool experience! You get to explore remote areas of Australia, try unique jobs that you might not try otherwise, and make money to fund the rest of your Australian adventures. Regional work also allows you to make new friends, whether it be with the Aussie locals or with your fellow backpackers.

To help you understand the requirements, we're going to answer some common questions about the famous 88 days. This is just a quick overview, and you can find much more detailed information on the Australia Immigration website. 

Do You Have To Do 88 Days In Australia?

To apply for a Second Year Working Holiday Visa, you have to do 88 days of regional work in Australia. However, not all travellers in Australia have to do 88 days. This only applies to travellers on a First Year Working Holiday Visa who would like to apply for a Second Year. If you're just travelling Australia for fun on a tourist visa, or you're here on a student visa or something else, the 88 days rule will not apply to you.

What About The Visa Changes For UK Backpackers?

There is one exception to the 88-day regional work requirement thanks to a recent change for UK citizens! Thanks to a new United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement with Australia, UK backpackers will no longer be required to complete 88 days of regional work for their Second Year WHV. But this change won't come into effect until 01 July 2024. We have an article that covers the visa changes for UK backpackers if you want to learn more! However, if you're not from the UK, or you're looking into your WHV requirements for before 01 July 2024, the 88 days still apply. 

What Work Can I Do For My 88 Days In Australia?

If you are looking to apply for a Second Year Working Holiday Visa, you have to find a job in an industry and location that fits the government's parameters. For both 417 and 462 visa holders, approved areas of work include plant and animal cultivation, tourism and hospitality, construction, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, bushfire recovery work, flood recovery work, and critical COVID-19 healthcare work.

In addition to finding a job in one of those categories, you also have to make sure the job is located in a designated regional area. Most jobs have to be in remote regions of Australia, and some jobs can only be in northern Australia. Bushfire and flood recovery jobs have to be in specific natural-disaster-affected areas. You can find full lists of valid postcodes on the Australian Immigration website. It's important to double-check that your job description and location fit the criteria online, otherwise your 88 days might not count towards your Working Holiday Visa!

How To Calculate 88 Days In Australia

Once you have secured your regional work job position, it's essential to count your days accurately. You can also find a detailed description of how to count your 88 days on Australia's Immigration website. But basically, if you're working full-time hours then every single day for 3 months counts to your 88 days. Even weekends! If you're working less than full-time, such as casual or shift work, you can only count your actual working days. It's impossible to complete your 88 days in under 3 months.

The best way to complete your 88 days is to get it done early on in your First Year Working Holiday. This gives you plenty of time to get all the days completed, with some wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances. Leaving your 88 days to the last 3 months of your visa can be stressful, so just be proactive and get it done early. Then you can just relax and enjoy travelling around Australia once your 88 days are finished!

What Happens If I Don't Complete My 88 Days?

If you don't complete your 88 days, your Second Year Working Holiday Visa most likely won't be approved. The 88 days of regional work is required for backpackers, and you'll need to submit payslips and proof of your employment during your visa application. If you submit an incomplete application, or your work records don't fit the requirements, your WHV could be denied.

However, there are lots of other ways to enjoy Australia without doing your 88 days. If you are unable or unwilling to do 88 days of regional work, you can still visit Australia on a tourist visa in the future for more adventures. Or there are other avenues such as work sponsorship visas, student visas, and partner visas if you've fallen in love with an Aussie during your stay! Backpackers tend to just do the 88 days because it's a low-risk, low-cost, and low-commitment way to stay in Australia for up to 3 years. Plus, regional work can be a unique, fun, and enlightening experience that allows you to give back to the Australian economy and community. 

Whether you choose to do 88 days of regional work or not, make sure you save some time to explore the wonders of Australia!

Reach out to our travel experts if you have any other questions about your time in Australia!

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