How to Get Your 88 Days for a Second Year Visa in Australia

If you’re on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 or 462) and want to stay in Australia for a second or third year, you’ll need to complete 88 days of specified work in regional Australia. For thousands of backpackers and working holiday makers, 88 days farm work in Australia is the most popular way to qualify — and it’s easier than you think when you have the right support.

At Orchard Tech, we’ve helped over 2,200 workers find placements across agriculture, horticulture, and other qualifying industries. Here’s everything you need to know about completing your 88 days.

What Counts Towards Your 88 Days?

The Australian Government defines “specified work” as employment in certain industries within regional or remote areas. The most common types of qualifying work include:

• Fruit picking and packing — apples, oranges, grapes, almonds, berries, and stone fruit
• Vegetable harvesting — lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, and root vegetables
• Pruning and thinning — preparing orchards and vineyards for the growing season
• General farm maintenance — fencing, irrigation, and land clearing
• Meat processing — work in abattoirs and meat packing facilities
• Construction and mining — in designated regional postcodes

All 88 days must be completed in eligible regional areas, and the work must be paid at Australian Award rates.

Where Are the Best Places to Complete Your 88 Days?

Australia has farming regions spread across the country, but some areas offer more consistent work throughout the year. The most popular regions include:

• Robinvale, Victoria — almonds, grapes, citrus, and stone fruit
• Swan Hill, Victoria — table grapes, almonds, and vegetables
• Griffith, New South Wales — citrus, wine grapes, and vegetables
• Northern Territory — mangoes, melons, and cattle stations
• Tasmania — berries, cherries, apples, and hops

Orchard Tech operates across 4 states — Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Tasmania — giving you plenty of options to find work that suits your skills and availability. Browse our current job listings to see what’s available now.

How Does the 88 Days Work?

Full-Time Work

If you work full-time (7-8 hours per day, 5 days per week), you can complete your 88 days in roughly 3 months. This is the most straightforward path.

Part-Time or Casual Work

If you work part-time or on a casual basis, your 88 days may take longer. The government counts calendar days, not hours worked, so a day where you work at least a normal day’s hours will count as one day.

What You Need to Keep

Make sure you keep the following records as proof of your regional work:

1. Payslips — every single one, showing employer ABN, dates, and hours
2. Employment contract — signed agreement with your employer
3. Bank statements — showing regular wage deposits
4. Tax records — your payment summaries from ATO
5. Accommodation receipts — proof you lived in a regional area

Tips for a Successful 88 Days

1. Work with a licensed labour hire company

Using a licensed and compliant labour hire provider like Orchard Tech ensures your work is properly documented and will be accepted by immigration. Unlicensed operators can leave you with days that don’t count.

2. Start early in the season

The busiest harvest periods are:

• October to March — stone fruit, grapes, berries (VIC, NSW)
• April to September — citrus, almonds, pruning (VIC, NSW)
• Year-round — meat processing, construction

3. Be flexible with location

Workers who are willing to move between regions and farms tend to accumulate their days faster. Orchard Tech can help you transition between placements across our 4 operating states.

4. Keep digital copies of everything

Take photos of your payslips and contracts. Store them in cloud storage so you never lose them.

Do You Get Paid Well?

Yes. All work through Orchard Tech is paid at or above the Australian Award minimum rates. Depending on the role and industry, you can expect:

• Casual rates from $28-$35+ per hour (including casual loading)
• Overtime rates for hours beyond standard ordinary hours
• Penalty rates for weekends and public holidays

We also work 7 days a week during peak seasons, so there are plenty of hours available for workers who want to earn more.

How Orchard Tech Makes Your 88 Days Easier

Finding legitimate farm work can be stressful, especially when you’re new to Australia. That’s where we come in:

• We match you with the right job based on your skills and location
• We handle your paperwork — contracts, inductions, and compliance documentation
• We provide support — from visa guidance to accommodation assistance and workplace safety
• We’re fully licensed — your days WILL count towards your visa

With over 17 years of experience in the industry and partnerships across agriculture, horticulture, construction, solar, and meat processing, we’ve built a reputation for looking after our workers.

Ready to Start Your 88 Days?

Don’t waste time searching through dodgy Gumtree ads or unreliable Facebook groups. Get in touch with Orchard Tech today and let us find you legitimate, well-paid farm work that counts towards your second year visa.

You can also browse our current job openings or call us directly on 0439 32 32 32 or 03 93 32 32 32.

Orchard Tech is a licensed labour hire provider operating across Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. We are an approved Seasonal Worker Programme employer and have been connecting workers with Australian farms since 2009.