Discover how the calculation works!
The Australian regulations for counting your 88 days are explained below.
What You Need to Know About the 88-Day Work Requirement
Extending your Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in Australia for a second or third year hinges on completing 88 days of specified work. This guide breaks down the calculation process, clarifies what qualifies as eligible employment, and introduces our calculator and postcode verification tools to simplify your tracking.
Why 88 Days Doesn't Always Mean 88 Calendar Days
Here's something many working holiday makers don't realize: the 88-day requirement isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Your actual time spent working could be shorter or longer than three months, depending entirely on your hours and employment type. Whether you're working full-time on a farm, part-time in hospitality, or casual shifts in construction, each situation affects your day count differently. Our calculator takes all these variables into account to give you an accurate picture of where you stand.
How Immigration Actually Counts Your Days: A Real-World Example
The biggest question working holiday makers have is: "How many days will Immigration actually count?" The answer isn't always obvious. Let's look at a real scenario that sheds light on this.
Consider Maria, who works at a dairy farm governed by the Pastoral Award. Under this Award, full-time status requires an average of 38 hours weekly. Here's where it gets interesting: Maria only works 30 hours per week, yet Immigration credits her with a full seven days of work each week.
The Hour-to-Day Conversion Formula
Through analyzing cases like Maria's and conducting thorough research, we've determined how Immigration converts weekly hours into countable days:
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Working 6-11 hours per week = 1 day credited
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Working 12-17 hours per week = 2 days credited
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Working 18-23 hours per week = 3 days credited
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Working 24-29 hours per week = 4 days credited
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Working 30+ hours per week = 7 days credited
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The Key Takeaway
Unless your specific Award clearly defines different minimum hours for full-time work, reaching 30 hours per week appears to be the magic number for receiving full weekly credit from Immigration.
Eligible Employment Categories
Your pathway to a second-year visa depends on working in approved industries within designated areas.
Qualifying Work: What Counts and Where
Regional Australia offers numerous pathways to complete your 88 days. Core eligible sectors include farming, fishing, forestry, mining, and construction. Northern Australia adds tourism and hospitality to this list, while declared disaster areas accept recovery work nationwide. Verify your industry and location qualify before accepting a position—this ensures every shift brings you closer to your visa extension goal.
Eligible Industries for Your 88 Days and Their Employment Standards
1. Tourism & Hospitality
Valid in Northern/Remote Australia (from 22 June 2021)
Governing Award: Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020
Standard full-time: 38 hours weekly (average)
Required for visa credit: 38 hours
2. Plant & Animal Cultivation
Valid in Regional Australia
Governing Awards: Horticulture Award 2020, Pastoral Award 2020
Standard full-time: 38 hours weekly (average)
Required for visa credit: 30 hours
3. Piece Rate Work in Horticulture
Valid in Regional Australia
Governing Award: Horticulture Award 2020
Weekly earnings threshold: $847.80 minimum (calculated on 30 hours @ $28.26/hour with casual loading)
4. Fishing & Pearling
Valid in Regional Australia
Governing Award: Aquaculture Industry Award 2020
Standard full-time: 38 hours weekly (average)
Required for visa credit: 30 hours
5. Tree Farming & Felling
Valid in Regional Australia
Governing Awards: Silviculture Award 2020, Timber Industry Award 2020
Standard full-time: 38 hours weekly (average)
Required for visa credit: 30 hours
6. Mining
Valid in Regional Australia
Governing Award: Mining Industry Award 2020
Standard full-time: 38 hours weekly (average)
Required for visa credit: 38 hours
7. Construction
Valid in Regional Australia
Governing Award: Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020
Standard full-time: 38 hours weekly (average)
Required for visa credit: 38 hours
8. Bushfire Recovery Work
Valid in Declared Disaster Zones (post 31 July 2019)
Award requirements: None specified
Counting method: Each working day = 1 day credited
9. Flood Recovery Work
Valid in Declared Disaster Zones (post 1 January 2022)
Award requirements: None specified
Counting method: Each working day = 1 day credited
10. COVID-19 Healthcare Services
Valid Australia-wide (post 31 January 2020)
Governing Award: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020
Standard full-time: 38 hours weekly (average)
Required for visa credit: 30 hours
Essential Tips for Managing Your Work Documentation
Maintain comprehensive records of all hours worked
Retain copies of every payslip and employment agreement
Utilize the 88th Day app for real-time hour logging and day calculations
Verify location eligibility through our postcode verification tool
Discuss your visa obligations with your employer upfront
Common Questions Answered
How accurate is the 88 days calculator?
The calculator processes your work hours against industry-specific requirements, following Department of Home Affairs criteria to determine exactly how many qualifying days you've accumulated toward your visa extension.
Which locations qualify for specified work?
Qualifying postcodes differ by industry and region. While most regional areas throughout Australia are eligible, certain sectors have location restrictions. Our postcode verification tool provides instant confirmation for any address.
Is all of Australia eligible for the 88-day requirement?
Not quite. Your specified work must occur in approved regional zones. Agricultural work qualifies across most regional territories, whereas tourism and hospitality positions only count in designated Northern regions.
What employment sectors are recognized as specified work?
Recognized sectors encompass agricultural cultivation, aquaculture operations, forestry activities, resource extraction, building projects, and select healthcare roles. Tourism and hospitality positions qualify in specific zones, while disaster recovery work counts when performed in officially declared areas. Always verify current sector eligibility as government updates occur periodically.
Final Thoughts
Accurately tracking and calculating your specified work days is essential for successfully extending your Working Holiday Visa. Leverage our calculator and postcode tools to monitor your progress confidently. When questions arise about your eligibility status, reach out to the Department of Home Affairs or consult with a licensed migration agent for personalized guidance.