If you want to extend your Working Holiday Visa for a second or third year, you need to complete specified work in regional areas. The type of work that qualifies depends on whether you hold a subclass 417 (Working Holiday) or subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa. Below is a detailed breakdown of eligible work for each visa type.
Subclass 417 -- Eligible Work
Holders of the 417 Working Holiday visa can count the following types of work, performed in designated regional areas of Australia:
- --Plant and animal cultivation -- fruit picking, packing, pruning, farm hand work, dairy farming, livestock care, and all general farm work.
- --Fishing and pearling -- commercial fishing operations, aquaculture, and pearl farming.
- --Tree farming and felling -- forestry, timber harvesting, plantation work, and tree maintenance.
- --Mining -- coal, metal ore, oil, gas, and other mineral extraction operations.
- --Construction -- building, civil engineering, demolition, and related trades in regional areas.
Subclass 462 -- Eligible Work
Holders of the 462 Work and Holiday visa have a different set of eligible work types. Some categories are restricted to Northern Australia only (generally areas north of the Tropic of Capricorn).
- --Plant and animal cultivation -- eligible anywhere in regional Australia. Same farm work categories as the 417 visa.
- --Fishing and pearling -- only in Northern Australia.
- --Tree farming and felling -- only in Northern Australia.
- --Construction -- only in Northern Australia.
- --Tourism and hospitality -- only in Northern Australia. This includes hotel, restaurant, tour guide, and accommodation work.
Key Differences: 417 vs 462
| Work Type | 417 (Working Holiday) | 462 (Work and Holiday) |
|---|---|---|
| Plant & animal cultivation | Regional AU | Regional AU |
| Fishing & pearling | Regional AU | Northern AU only |
| Tree farming & felling | Regional AU | Northern AU only |
| Mining | Regional AU | Not eligible |
| Construction | Regional AU | Northern AU only |
| Bushfire / flood recovery | Declared areas | Declared areas |
| Tourism & hospitality | Not eligible | Northern AU only |
What does NOT count
The following types of work will not count toward your 88-day requirement, regardless of where they are performed:
- ✕Office and administration work -- clerical, data entry, reception, and similar desk jobs.
- ✕Retail -- shop assistant, cashier, supermarket work, and sales roles.
- ✕Cleaning -- commercial or residential cleaning services.
- ✕Hospitality (for 417 holders) -- cafes, restaurants, bars, and hotels do not count if you are on a 417 visa.
- ✕City-based jobs -- any work in Sydney CBD, Melbourne CBD, or Brisbane CBD, even if the job type would otherwise be eligible.
- ✕Unpaid or voluntary work -- you must receive wages with proper payslips.
🚨 Rules can change