88-Day Work Australia 2026: What Counts, Approved Regions & How to Document It

The "88 days" requirement is one of the most discussed topics among backpackers in Australia. It refers to the specified work you need to complete in a regional area in order to be eligible for a second-year Working Holiday Visa. This guide explains what counts, what does not, and how to make sure your days are properly documented.

Note: The 88-day requirement and approved work types are set by the Australian Government and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs.

What work counts toward the 88 days?

For work to count, it must meet two conditions simultaneously:

1. The work type must be on the approved list. This includes plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining, construction, and tourism and hospitality work in declared remote areas.
2. The workplace postcode must be in an approved regional area.The Department of Home Affairs publishes an official list of approved postcodes. Even if the work type qualifies, urban postcodes are generally not approved.

Approved industries (as of 2025–26)

The following broad categories are currently approved. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the complete and current list.

How are days counted?

Each calendar day on which you performed any amount of approved work counts as one day. A day does not need to be a full 8-hour shift — even working a partial day counts. However, you cannot count rest days, public holidays or annual leave days as specified work days unless you actually performed work on those days.

You need a minimum of 88 days total. You can spread these across multiple employers and multiple periods throughout your 12-month visa. Most backpackers aim to complete their days in one dedicated work trip of 3–4 months to a single region.

How to document your 88 days

Documentation is critical. When you apply for your second-year visa, the Department of Home Affairs will ask for evidence of your specified work. Insufficient documentation is the most common reason applications are delayed or refused.

Always keep:

• All payslips — showing your name, the employer's ABN, employment dates, hours worked and pay received.
• A copy of your employment agreement or contract.
• Group certificates or payment summaries at the end of the financial year.
• A letter from your employer (on company letterhead, signed) confirming your employment dates, workplace location and the nature of the work.
• Bank statements showing wage deposits can support your claim if other records are missing.

Photograph or scan all documents as you receive them. Do not rely only on paper copies — farms and remote locations can be tough environments.

Employer declarations and Form 1263

You may be required to submit an employer declaration form (sometimes called Form 1263 or equivalent) when applying for your second-year visa. This is completed by your employer and confirms the details of your employment. Ask your employer about this form before you finish work — getting a signed declaration after you have left a farm region can be difficult.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not checking the postcode. Just because work is in a regional area does not mean the specific postcode is on the approved list. Always check before you start.
• Accepting cash-in-hand work. Cash-in-hand work with no payslips cannot be used as evidence for your 88 days. Even if the work type qualifies, you need documented proof. Underpayment is also common in cash arrangements — compare advertised rates with the backpacker Pay Checker before you accept a job.
• Not getting a TFN before starting work. Without a TFN, your employer must withhold 45% tax. You can reclaim this at tax time, but it is better to avoid it.
• Assuming all farm work counts. Farms in metropolitan or suburban postcodes do not qualify, even if the work itself is agricultural.
• Losing payslips. Scan and back up every payslip immediately.
• Working for an unlicensed labour hire company. Check that any agency placing you in farm work holds a Labour Hire Licence in the relevant state.

Best regions for completing 88 days

Different regions are active at different times of year, so planning your trip to overlap with harvest seasons is essential:

• Queensland — Bundaberg and Bowen have the most reliable year-round farm work. Mango season peaks July–November.
• New South Wales — Griffith (Riverina) citrus season runs April–August. Cherry picking in Young is November–January.
• Western Australia — Manjimup apple and pear harvest runs May–August, useful if you need to finish days later in the year.
• Tasmania — The entire state is an approved region. Apple picking in the Huon Valley runs January–April.
• South Australia — Riverland citrus season is one of Australia's longest (March–September). Barossa wine harvest in February–March.
• Victoria — Mildura grapes (Feb–Apr) and Shepparton stone fruit (Jan–Mar) are popular with backpackers looking to finish their 88 days before peak summer.
• Northern Territory — Mango picking around Katherine and Darwin runs July–November. The entire NT is approved for 88-day purposes.