88 Days to Renew Your First Working Holiday Visa in Australia
Australia’s Working Holiday Visa (WHV subclass 417) program is a fantastic opportunity for young travelers to explore the country while earning money to fund their adventures. One of the unique features of this visa is the possibility to extend it beyond the initial 12 months. To qualify for a second year, you need to complete 88 days of specified work in regional Australia during your first year. If you want to renew your second WHV you need to engage in 6 months of regional work in the second year instead of 88 on the first year.
|1. How it works
Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
- Eligibility: Must hold a subclass 417 or 462 visa.
- Work Duration: Complete 88 days of specified work.
- Types of Work: Jobs must be in eligible industries in regional areas.
- Documentation: Keep records of your work (payslips, employment contracts, etc.) to prove your eligibility when applying for the visa extension.
|2. Eligible occupations
Not all jobs qualify for the 88-day requirement. The specified work must be in an approved industry. Here’s a list of some eligible occupations:
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: Picking fruit, pruning vines, packing produce, dairy farming.
- Mining: Coal mining, oil and gas extraction, mineral exploration.
- Construction: Building homes, roadworks, large-scale construction projects.
You can find the complete list here for visa 417 or here for visa 462
|3. Eligible regions
To ensure that the work counts towards your 88 days, it must be completed in designated regional areas. Generally, this includes most of the country outside of major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Some popular regions for completing specified work include:
- Queensland: Bundaberg, Cairns, and the Whitsundays.
- Victoria: Mildura and Goulburn Valley.
- New South Wales: Hunter Valley and Riverina.
- Western Australia: Margaret River and Kimberley.
- South Australia: Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills.
- Tasmania: Huon Valley and Tamar Valley.
- Northern Territory: Darwin and Alice Springs.
Again, you can find the complete list at the above mentioned websites.
|4. A bit about working holiday visa in Australia
The Australian Working Holiday Visa is designed for young travelers aged 18 to 30 (or 35 for some nationalities) from eligible countries. It allows you to:
- Stay in Australia for up to 12 months.
- Work to support your travels (generally up to six months with one employer, recently this rule has been updated, you can find more info here).
- Study for up to four months.
- Leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
|5. Tips for completing your 88 days
- Plan Ahead: Start looking for eligible work early in your visa period to avoid last-minute stress.
- Research Employers: Use reliable sources like the Australian Government website or facebook groups or other job boards
- Keep Records: Maintain thorough documentation of your employment to ensure a smooth visa extension process.
|6. Useful resources: Harvest Guide
For detailed information on where to find work and what to expect, the Harvest Guide is an invaluable resource. It provides updates on seasonal work opportunities, and it will give you an idea on where to go and when to go based on seasons.
|7. How to find a job for your 88 days
Finding specified work can seem daunting, but there are plenty of resources available to help you. Here are some tips to get started:
- Online Job Boards: Websites like Seek, Indeed, and Gumtree often list regional jobs suitable for working holidaymakers.
- Harvest Trail: The Australian Government’s Harvest Trail website is a great resource for finding agricultural work across the country.
- Backpacker Job Boards: Websites specifically for backpackers, such as Backpacker Job Board, often list jobs that qualify for the 88-day requirement.
- Local Employment Agencies: Register with local job agencies in regional areas. They often have connections with employers looking for seasonal workers.
- Word of Mouth: Network with other travelers and locals. Many jobs are filled through word-of-mouth recommendations.
- Hostels and Noticeboards: Check noticeboards in hostels and community centers in regional towns. Employers sometimes post job ads there.
Conclusion
Completing 88 days of specified work is a fantastic way to extend your stay in Australia and continue your adventure down under. With careful planning and the right resources, you can make the most of your working holiday visa and explore more of this beautiful country. Whether you’re picking grapes in the Barossa Valley or working on a construction project in Queensland, your efforts will be rewarded with another year of incredible experiences. Happy travels and good luck!
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