Travel Visa Duration: 88 days
In the heart of Australia's diverse landscapes, a young German traveller found more than just adventure – they discovered a path to a second year in the Land Down Under.
The key to unlocking this extended stay is the "specified work" requirement for a second year Working Holiday Visa. This work must be completed in approved regional sectors, such as agriculture, mining, fishing, and construction, within designated regional postcodes.
For four months, our author toiled on a farm instead of the required three, due to less work during certain weeks. This extra effort, though unplanned, was a step towards the 88 calendar days (around three months) of specified work needed to qualify for the second year visa.
The work must be carried out in designated regional or remote areas of Australia, including all of the Northern Territory, parts of Northern Queensland, and Northern Western Australia (above the Tropic of Capricorn). Certain cities like Adelaide, Darwin, and all areas of Tasmania count as regional for this purpose.
To qualify, the author recommends using the "88th day" app to keep track of completed days towards the 88 days requirement. Maintaining payslips and official work records is essential as proof.
It's important to note that the specified work must be undertaken during the first Working Holiday Visa period to be eligible for a second. The visa holder can apply for permission for their employer to keep them on if they wish to stay longer.
The Working Holiday Visa is valid for 1 year from the date of entry and allows the holder to work, study, and enter and exit Australia as many times as desired. The application for the Working Holiday Visa is done online, requiring a valid passport and proof of funds (AUD 5,000 or approximately EUR 3,000).
Specified work includes jobs such as farmhand work, but now also encompasses much more, including tourism and hospitality in North, "Remote", and "Very Remote" Australia. The exact regions considered 'remote' and 'very remote' can be found on the official government website, with postcodes categorized into these groups based on their location and distance from civilization.
Our author, having completed their 88 days of specified work, is now enjoying a new adventure as a roofer on the Sunshine Coast. They remind readers to keep their payslips for the second year visa application. The visa approval process takes 4-6 weeks and costs around EUR 400.
However, if the specified work and location criteria are not met, one is not eligible for a second or third Working Holiday Visa but may consider other visa options like the subclass 408 COVID-19 visa if working in critical sectors like farming.
So, if you're a young traveller from Germany (or any other eligible country) eager for an adventure in Australia, remember – your next adventure could be just 88 days away!
The young traveller's extended stay in Australia was drawn from fulfilling the "specified work" requirement, which includes jobs in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and hospitality, particularly in remote and regional areas. After completing 88 days of specified work, the traveler adopted another lifestyle by transitioning from a farmhand to a roofer in a city like the Sunshine Coast.
