Everything you need to know about "farm work" to get your second-year working holiday visa.
Completing your 88 days of specified work—frequently referred to as “farm work” or “regional work”—is a rite of passage for working holiday makers in Australia. For many, it’s the ticket to a second visa in the country, when one year is simply not enough.
The concept is simple: Working holiday maker (WHM) visa holders complete three months (or 88 calendar days) of “specified subclass 417 work.” This often involves picking fruit or working in hospitality or tourism, usually in northern, rural or remote areas. As a reward, they can then apply for a second-year working holiday visa.
Yet, regional work remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of taking a working holiday in Australia. That's why we’re here to dispel the most common myths about farm work in Australia.
Myth of Fact? Regional work is mandatory for working holiday visa holders.
Answer: Myth. “When are you planning to do your farm work?” was a question I heard constantly during my working holiday in Australia.
At the time, I was a working professional in my early 30s, renting a house in Sydney, and in a long-term relationship. In my particular situation, the idea of taking a three-month sabbatical to pick pineapples was both absurd and unrealistic.
Fortunately, it was also unnecessary. If you’re Canadian or American, you are only required to complete three months of specified work if you would like to apply for a second-year working holiday visa (or six months if you’d like to apply for your third working holiday visa).
And if you’re a UK passport holder, you don’t need to complete it at all—as of July 1, 2024, you’ll be able to apply for a second or even third year visa without doing any regional work.
Myth or Fact? Regional work has to be completed on a farm
Answer: Myth. “Specified subclass 417 work” is a mouthful, which is why most people simply refer to it as “farm work,” with fruit picking being the top task that comes to mind.
However, regional work isn't limited to working on farms. There is a range of sectors you can work in to complete your 88 days, which includes: farming, tourism and hospitality, fishing, mining, construction, health care, and conservation and recovery work in areas affected by disasters or bushfires.
And for those who do end up on a farm, don’t assume that you’ll end up picking fruit. You could end up pruning vines on a vineyard, working with horses, or packing produce.
Myth or Fact? You must complete your 88 days of regional work in a remote or rural area
Answer: Myth. Let’s set this one straight. “Regional” is not synonymous with “remote” or even "rural."
You must complete your specified work within an eligible Australian postcode—but you’d be surprised to find that some of the postcodes on the list are for urban areas, including some of the country's biggest cities.
“The biggest misconception about working holiday visas is that the only jobs available are regional ones that involve picking fruit or farming, miles away from a city,” says a representative from Tourism South Australia. “Although South Australia is home to some of the most iconic Australian wine regions and incredible farmland, all of South Australia—including the capital city of Adelaide—is classified as ‘regional,’ which means you can work in the city and still be eligible.”
The same is true of the Northern Territory (including the state’s capital city of Darwin) and Tasmania (including its capital city of Hobart). Likewise, all destinations north of the Tropic of Capricorn—including Cairns and the thriving resort town of Port Douglas—are eligible if you find a job working in hospitality or tourism.
Myth or Fact? Regional work can be dangerous
Answer: Fact. Unfortunately, this one isn’t a myth. Horror stories abound of worker exploitation—often on remote farms—with many considering the 88 days of regional work to be “modern slavery.” Workers are frequently paid by the piece (for example, according to the number of mushrooms they pick) with money deducted from their wages for room and board. Housing can be substandard, working conditions can be unsafe and sexual assault is reported all too frequently.
This is further exacerbated by the fact that working holiday makers are often living in remote areas, where they may not be able to leave of their own accord or report issues to authorities. They also may be hesitant to report employers, when those same employers are the ones able to sign off on their time working towards their second-year visa.
Even in good working conditions, there can be issues. The one most commonly reported is lengthy pauses in work due to weather. For example, weeks of nonstop rain that prevents work outdoors might turn your three months of regional work into four or five months in order to get your hours.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way. That was the case for Ayla, who arrived at an agricultural facility to find unsafe work conditions. “They took serious advantage of foreign workers,” she says. “They were stranded out in the woops woops and slept with mice all over them through the night.”
Seeing the writing on the wall, she left to work in another regional area. “It was pure magic,” she says. “We saw so much of Australia that an average person might not, and got to work saving endangered sugar gliders. We got to watch them glide in at night to feed—it was a real blessing.”
Verge contributor Caelen Beard, who did her working holiday visa in Australia, recommends ensuring you do your due diligence before travelling to remote or rural areas to complete your 88 days.
“Make sure the place you’re going is legitimate,” she advises. "Ask about rates of pay, whether room and board will be deducted from your pay, whether you'll be sharing your housing with others, hours of work, and how often you'll be paid. Finally, ask for references from backpackers who have previously completed their regional work at the same location."
Beard also suggests asking how many people work there, and how many people are living on-site (“You don’t want to be the only one living on the property,” she notes), and if you’ll have access to a nearby town.
“As a polo groom, I got a staff car and was allowed to use it on days off to go into town, which was a lifesaver,” she says. “You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re stuck on a property every day with no way out and nobody else around.”
Myth or fact? Regional work can actually be fun and fulfilling
Answer: Fact. When 26-year-old Ontarian Brittney Brooks arrived in Australia, completing her farm work was her first—not her last—order of business. She already knew she wanted to do a second year in Australia. She'd also done her research and knew that most people arrive in Sydney or Melbourne before travelling up the East Coast. But as the time ticks down on the first year of their working holiday visa, it can put more pressure on them to complete the 88 days.
“Then they’re panicking because they’re like, 'Oh my god, I only have five months to get my three months of work done.’ So, I just knew I was going to get it done and then have fun,” she explains.
Although she’s currently based in Uluru working at Ayers Rock Resort, she landed her first regional job working at a pub in Hughenden. A tiny town in outback Queensland, she lived nearly 400 kilometres from any major cities. It was an opportunity that she loved.
“It was a really good experience. I met some really cool people and I really liked it,” she says.
Regional work isn't just a requirement to land your second-year working holiday—it’s also an opportunity to explore Australia, meet people from around the world, develop skills—and perhaps even discover a new career that you love.