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How to apply for a second year visa in Australia

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How to apply for a second year visa in Australia

Have you already completed a Working Holiday Visa in Australia and want to extend your stay Down Under? Know that it is possible to renew your WHV twice under certain conditions. Here is all the information you need to renew your working holiday visa and enjoy more time in this beautiful country or give you the possibility of returning later.

Key Requirements for WHV Renewal

To renew your Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in Australia, you must meet specific conditions set by the Australian government:

🔹 Age Requirement: Be between 18 and 35 years old (or 30 years for US citizens).
🔹 Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is up to date.
🔹 Work Requirement:

  • Second WHV: Complete at least 88 days of specified work in an eligible rural area.
  • Third WHV: Complete 6 months (179 days) of specified work in an eligible area.
    🔹 No Dependents: You cannot have dependent children during your stay.
    🔹 Health Insurance: Maintain valid medical coverage for your entire stay.

🚨 New Rule (July 2024): UK passport holders are no longer required to complete specified work to renew their WHV!

👉 Read More: UK-Australia Free Trade Deal & WHV Changes

Where Can You Work to Renew Your WHV?

To qualify for a 2nd or 3rd year WHV, you must complete specified work in eligible regional areas. These areas support industries in need of temporary workers outside major cities.

📍 Eligible Regions Include:
✔️ Northern Territory
✔️ South Australia
✔️ Tasmania
✔️ Designated postcodes in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia

🔍 Check the official postcode list here: Eligible WHV Regions

💡 Good to Know: If you volunteer for natural disaster recovery work (fires, floods, or cyclone-affected areas), these days count towards your WHV renewal!

👉 Read More: WHV Disaster Recovery Work

Eligible jobs for WHV Renewal

To renew your Working Holiday Visa, you can work in several industries, depending on whether you hold a subclass 417 or 462 visa.

Popular Jobs for WHV Renewal:

✔️ Fruit Picking & Farm Work 🍎
✔️ Fishing & Pearling 🎣
✔️ Mining & Construction ⛏️
✔️ Tourism & Hospitality 🏨 (New!)
✔️ Bushfire & Flood Recovery Work 🌳
✔️ Healthcare & Aged Care 🏥 (New!)

✨ Pro Tip: The company’s worksite, NOT its headquarters, must be located in an eligible postcode.

👉 Full List of Eligible Jobs: WHV Eligible Jobs

How to calculate your workdays WHV Renewal?

Calculating the hours and days

🔢 Calculation Rules:
✔️ A full workday = 7-8 hours (depending on industry standards).
✔️ A full workweek = 35-40 hours (even if worked over 5 days).
✔️ You can combine different jobs (e.g., 1 month in construction + 2 months in farming).
✔️ 12-hour shifts still count as 1 working day—no double credits!

👉 Read more: How to calculate the 88 days for a second Working Holiday Visa in Australia

Be aware that the Australian immigration is not very specific about the existence of a strict formula to calculate the days. However, according to the examples given on the immigration website, the lower limit for a full-time job is around 30 hours (depending on the industry). So if you work more than 30 hours per week, there will be some flexibility.

On the other hand, be aware that if you work 12 hours a day, this will be counted as one working day and not two.

Wages & Payment for WHV Jobs

Before accepting a job, ensure your employer pays you at least the legal minimum wage to avoid visa issues.

💵 Updated Minimum Wages (2024-2025):
✔️ Casual Workers: $28.26/hr
✔️ Full-Time/Part-Time: $23.23/hr
✔️ Piece Rate Workers: Guaranteed minimum hourly wage

👉 Check Industry-Specific Wages: Fair Work Ombudsman

Do I Need to Work with the Same Employer for 3 Months?

Days or months of work are calculated cumulatively. Whether it is for your 88 days (2nd year) or for your 179 days (3rd year). It is possible to work your days in one go with the same employer, or with different employers in several installments. It is not necessary to work these 3 or 6 months in a row. You can absolutely work 1 month in February, 1 month in August, a few days in September etc.

For example, you can work 88 days with the same farmer or work a month in construction, a month in the mines, a month in the harvest, etc. The same goes for your third year.

job fruit picking

How to apply for a second year visa?

Apply online

Applying for a working holiday visa, whether it’s your first, second or third year, is quite easy. You can apply for a second Working Holiday visa online on the government immigration website: 

Apply for your Visa

⚠️ Bridging Visa: If your WHV expires while awaiting approval, you can stay and work legally under a Bridging Visa.

Evidence of specified work to provide

  • Keep the payslips received (paper or email). Make sure you have the ABN and details of your employer.
  • Keep your employment contract if you have one, the document setting the payment terms if you are paid on performance (piecework agreement).
  • Ask your employer, at the end of the fiscal year, to provide you with the PAYG, i.e. a summary of the payslips received. This document can only be sent to you by your employer after the end of the fiscal year (after June 30 of each year). So remember to keep a contact (email, phone) to contact the employer after this date.
  • Bank statements from your Australian account where you can see your check deposits or wage transfers for the periods worked. If you are paid in cash, keep your pay stubs.

Tip: Keep as much evidence of your presence in the region and of the work done as possible. For example, keep photos, bus tickets, receipts for purchases made in the region, etc.

Finally, be aware that the government can call your employers to verify the information provided during your request.

How much does the second year visa cost?

To apply for a Second WHV, it will cost you $650 (applicable until July 2025). The same goes for a third year application.

When to Apply for a second or third year Working Holiday Visa?

You can apply for your 2nd or 3rd year Working Holiday Visa (WHV) either while still holding your current WHV or at a later date.
🔹 Extending Immediately? Apply before your first visa expires if you want a seamless transition.
🔹 Age Limit: Apply before your 35th birthday (30 for some nationalities).
🔹 Entry Deadline: Once approved, you have 1 year to enter Australia.

Processing time for the Working Holiday Visa ⏳

Processing times vary depending on the workload of immigration offices:
✅ Some visas are granted within hours or a few days.
⏳ Others may take several weeks if additional documents are required.

💡 Tip: Attach all required documents to avoid delays and speed up processing.

How to Apply for a Third-Year WHV?

If you completed 6 months of specified work during your second WHV, you can apply for a third-year Working Holiday Visa.

Eligibility Conditions:

✔️ Age Requirement: 18-35 years old (30 for some nationalities).
✔️ Valid Passport: Must be up to date.
✔️ No Dependents: You cannot have dependent children.
✔️ Travel/health insurance : Proof of coverage for your entire stay.
✔️ Work Requirement: Complete 6 months (179 days) of qualifying work.

Eligible regions and jobs

✔️ Same eligible regions as for the second-year visa.
✔️ Jobs eligible for a third WHV are the same as for a second-year WHV.
✔️ Work must have been completed after July 2019 to count towards a third-year application.

New 6-Month Rule for Working with the Same Employer (Since January 1, 2024)

WHV holders can now work for the same employer for more than 6 months without needing approval, if the job:

  • is with the same employer but in different locations (work in one location does not exceed 6 months)
  • involves growing crops or rearing animals anywhere in Australia
  • is carried out in certain industries such as aged and disabled care, fishing and pearling, tree felling and growing, construction and mining, only in northern Australia.
  • is linked to helping rebuild areas affected by natural disasters
  • is carried out in critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disabled care, and childcare, anywhere in Australia
  • is in the critical tourism and hospitality sector anywhere in Australia.
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The ultimate guide to work and travel around Australia with a Working Holiday Visa! Get all the tips and advice from other backpackers. The first travel guide written by Backpackers for Backpackers in Australia!!!
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86 COMMENTS

  1. Hello!

    I’m a little stuck about my hours. I’m working on a dairy farm and my first four weeks didn’t meet the 35 hours however I was working the full time rota. They then changed the rota so we had more hours, will the first four weeks count?

    Thanks,
    Lisa

    • Hi Lisa,
      You have to check the industry standards (Pastoral Award)to see the ordinary hours worked. Under the Pastoral Award 2010, ordinary hours are 152 hours worked over a four-week period, regardless of whether they fall on a weekend. Ordinary hours for casuals are the same as for full-time employees. Cheers

  2. Hey! I have a question about applying for 2nd whv , I have two different employers for my 88 days so when filling out my form where do I put in the 2nd employers details ? do I need to download the same page on the site again and attach it or how do I go about it ? Thank you!

  4. Hey,

    I’m writing to you to if see you my know what my situation may be with the visa I hold. I currently have a second year working holiday visa for Australia which I was granted on the 4th February 2020. I had applied for the visa when I was at home (Ireland) and was planning to fly to Australia on the 8th June 2020 but due to the COVID-19 restrictions here at home and in Australia my flight was cancelled.

    As I’m sure you know I still have to the 4th February 2021 to enter Australia due to when I applied for the visa but with the restrictions that are in place here at home (Ireland) and in Australia, I feel I may not be able to get a flight before the 4th February 2021, due to all these COVID-19 restrictions. If this is the case and I’m unable to get out to Australia before the 4th February next year, I am wondering would I be able to reapply for a second year working holiday visa again at a later time next year even though I have been granted one already but haven’t entered Australia yet. If there is any information or help you can give me, I would greatly appreciate it.

    Thanks
    Damian

  5. I’ve got a question regarding the bridging visa when applying for the second working holiday visa, online it seems like it expires after 28 days. If the processing times are longer than that, is there a way to extend the bridging visa or do I have to leave if that happens? With the restrictions on I’m not very tempted to move around too much.
    Also, can I apply for my second working holiday one day before my first one expires, I got one document I’d like to add that I will get that day. Or is it better to submit it now and then add the last document later if that’s possible at all? Like say it expires on the 31st of December, can I submit my application on the 30th whilst in Australia and get straight on the bridging visa?

  6. Hi, how do I get my passport certified as I do not know anyone in the required occupations? Other backpacker must be same situation.

  7. Hi,

    I have worked with two employers for my 88 days. On page 8 of the application it asks for the details of the specified work. On that page you can only enter the details of one employer. Do you know if on the next page you then can enter the details of the second employer?

    Thanks,

    Colleen.

  8. Hi,
    My partner and I completed our 88 days of farm work and have since submitted our second year visas with all payslips included. Today, we have received an update requesting more information in the form of bank statements to see payments being received. We received cash payments so only have our payslips as evidence, any advice as to what we can do? Such a horrible situation since we have actually completed all of our days

  9. My British partner had a working holiday visa about 8 years ago and only stayed a few months. He didn’t do the farm work required for 2nd working holiday visa. He wants to move to Australia, is there a way to get second working holiday visa and do the farm work when he arrives? Are there other options as we aren’t eligible to partner visa requirements abs need to live together for 12 months. Thank you

    • Hi Erin,
      Unfortunately if he didnt do the 88 days he won’t be able to apply for a second year. Your options seem to be to wait for the 12 months relationship to apply for a partner or go for a student or tourist visa in the meantime. However, know that currently borders are closed and won’t reopen before 2022 (likely). Good luck

  10. Hi!

    My second WH Visa was granted before my first visa finished.

    Do you know if it’s okay to start counting the 6 months of specified work for the third visa from the granted day?

    Or does it starts counting after the first visa finished?

    Thanks,

    Francisco

  11. Hi , I was in Australia on my first year working holiday visa , and applied for my my second year working holiday visa and it was granted while we where in Australia , but we then left Australia before or first year visa ended , does that mean I have 12 months from the end of my first year to re entrer and have a full second year from then or does it continue directly from when my first one ended for one year ? Thanks

  12. Hi, I hope you can help.

    I did my working holiday in Australia from July 2017 to June or July 2019. I did about 8 months farm work in my 1st year and 6 months in my 2nd year (loved it!). The new law about getting your 3rd year came into effect about 2 weeks before my 2nd year visa ended so I did not get to utilise it.

    I’m wondering if there is any way I can go back to Australia with a working holiday visa?

  13. hi, I am currently working in a mine camp, in Nebo, cp 4742, I work as a housekeeper, I would like if this job and area, serve to extend my WHV 417 for a second year??? Also, how do you count the 88 days, since I work 14/7 or 7/7, thanks

    • Hi Fernando,
      The postcode is eligible.
      However, I do not think the job is eligible. See Immi Website : Examples of ineligible specified work in mining: cooking/catering on a mine site / cleaning the interior of mine complexes or buildings
      cheers

  14. Hello,

    I was wondering if I did 3 months at the beginning of my 1st year to give me eligibility to apply for my second year… If I wanted a to go back to the UK and then return to Australia at a later date, do I have to apply outside Australia to be able to wait as long as it’s before I’m 31?

    And if I applied for my second year visa within Australia, does it technically carry on without pause once the first 12 months has been completed ?

    Is it also possible that in few years time that the age will be finalised to 35 years old to enter ?

    Also if whatever visas we have now ,as potentially farming may be scrapped and we can travel to aus on a 3 year visa instead … can this be added or switched from the visas we have ? (As technically if it’s a new rule that we didn’t know about it or had the opportunity to do will they make allowances?)

    Thank you
    Alice

    • Hi Alice,
      – If you apply from outside Australia, you will need to wait the response before entering Australia. Once your visa is approved you ll have 1 year to enter Australia.
      – Yes if you apply from Australia.
      – following the FTD between Australia and the UK, the age limit should be increased to 35 in the coming months (we are hoping July 22)
      – We do not know at the moment.
      Cheers

  15. Hello,

    I’m currently 30 and will be entering on my first WHV in the new year. I know that I’ll need to do my 88days and apply for my second year before my 31st birthday or would my vids need to be granted before my birthday? The two years would then count from when I first entered right?

    I’m from the UK so know that it should be changing to 35 but this might not come into effect in time or be applied to those who already have visas so just want to make sure that I’m covered!

    Thanks

    • Hi Clare,
      No need for your visas to be approved before your 31st bday. Once the FTA enters into force you ll be granted the 3 years no matter if you have done the 88 days of not – you ll still need to apply for it though (and pay the fees). Cheers

  16. Hi,

    I would like some informations, My westpac bank account was closed by the bank 2 years after my expiration Visa (maybe in 2016). I went to the bank to close but there seems to be a problem. My parents never told me that they received document from the bank ….
    My bank account was at 0 dollars so they closes it on negativ.
    Do you think, it’s can be a problem for my second visa ?

    Cannot fine any answers online …

    Thank a lot for your help.
    Lola

  17. Hello 🙂
    I’m thinking about getting my first WHV and eventually a 2nd but am unsure how long I can wait between the two? I plan on traveling for a long time, could I complete my 1st year and then travel elsewhere for as long as I want before applying for my 2nd WHV (considering the age limit ofc)? Can’t find the answer anywhere online, hopefully you can help!
    Thanks,
    Emily x

  18. Hello,
    I visited in 2019 and worked for a silage contractor on a whv 417.I have recently applied for my second one but payslips only show 87 instead of 88 days. Do you think this will be let through?

  19. Hi there, I completed my 88 days on 3 different farms, it was in 2018 i finished it and i’m now applying for my second year in 2022. i’n putting in the details for a farm i worked on and the Abn number is invalid according to the gov website but this was the abn that paid me, what do i do? any advice would be helpful.
    thanks,
    Sam

  20. Hi,

    Can an employee work on their own ABN and still qualify for their 2nd year visa in a rural hospitality position? eg Contract Cleaners?

    Cheers
    Kellie

  21. hi the uk australia trade agreement is about to come into force raising the age to 35

    my age is 35 and i know i must apply before 36th birthday once trade agreement is enforced

    its expected march or april to be installed

    i got a working holiday visa back in 2008 for 1 year

    my question is once it comes into force will i be able to apply for the second year visa inside australia on a bridging visa or will I have to apply for it outside australia?

    I would like to go to my friends on 3 months bridging visa and then once it is implemented apply for 2 year work holiday visa but i’m not sure if it is possible to do it inside australia

  22. Hi there,

    So I was on a working holiday visa 10 years ago when I was 20, I completed my 88 days farm work while I was over there & I have kept all documentation, ABN numbers and payslips from that time.

    I’m now 30, from Ireland and planning on heading over in August to Perth by applying for the second year working holiday visa.

    Is this an accepted route to get back over? I have also kept all the emails sent from Visa first with the first year working holiday visa document details on it.

    Any information on this would be great.

    Many thanks,

    Alan

  23. Hi, I hope you can help please!

    I am a UK passport holder in Aus currently on my first WHV. I have been offered a two year sponsorship.
    After these two years, will I be eligible to apply for a 2nd WHV to travel / have more flexible work?

    By this point I am hoping the FTA will also be in force!

    Many thanks,
    Abigail

  24. Hi 🙂

    I completed my second year Visa volunteer work (helpx) in 2015 right before the new law started that it’s no longer possible that way.
    Is it still possible for me to apply?

  25. Hi
    I’m on my first year of WH (462) and I’ve already done my 88 days. I will be turning 31 in August, should I apply before that?
    If I do, when does the 2nd year visa start running? As soon as it is granted? Or right after the first year is over?

    Thank you!

  26. hello,
    I am needing some help regarding going to Australia, I came to oz 7 years ago on a working holiday visa and was only there for a few months and them came back to England . I am looking to come back to Australia on another working holiday but I did not complete 3 moths regional work and now I cant apply for another visa without having done this work what are my options? I didn’t do the regional work as I was there for long enough and I wasn’t planning at the time on staying there for longer then the time I was there originally.

  28. Hi! I am about to turn 36 (in December). I plan to apply for my first WHV in November 2023.

    Do I have 12 months from approval to enter Australia and activate my first WHV?

    From what I understand, I need to be under 36 and be present in Australia to apply for my second WHV, is this correct?

    If I enter Australia in November 2023 (a month before my 36th birthday) on my first WHV and apply for my second WHV before my 36th birthday, will I be able to stay in Australia for a full 24 months from the date the first visa was activated or will the time reset to 12 months after the second WHV is granted? I am trying to maximise my time in Australia given the age restrictions.

    Thanks!

    • Hi Chel, once your visa has been granted you have 12 months to enter Australia and activate it. You are able to apply for a WHV until you turn 36 but atm you still need to do your 88 days to get a second year. It is only from 1 July 2024, that UK passport holders will not have to meet this requirement when applying for a second or third Working Holiday visa.

  29. Hello
    My daughter has done 1 year of WHV and is currently doing a job in her 2nd year that does not qualify for year 3WHV, just to build up her finances. Can she carry on doing this job and apply for year 3WHV after the new rules start in July 2024. Or does she have to do 6 months of specified work in her 2nd year, even though she will come home home to the UK for a few months and apply for year 3 after the new regulations come into force?

    Many thanks

  30. Hi there. I’m just been reading on Australia 3rd year visa and now being 35. I’m 31 and have been to Australia back in 2016 for 1 year but didn’t complete my regional work thus I haven’t been back. Do this mean its possible for me to now go back without the farm work? Thankyou Jack

  31. Hello, When applying for a third year visa, does the entire 6 months work have to completed while on the second year visa? or does the 3 months from the first year visa count towards the 6 months for the third year?

  32. Hi,

    I’m currently on my 1st year work and holiday visa which expires on Oct 4th. I haven’t done any farm work yet but I’ve decided I want to do my 2nd year visa but with the timeframe it seems that I won’t be able to complete the 88 days before my visa expires. Am I able to get a bridging visa to extend my stay while I finish my farm work?

  33. How soon can I apply for my second working holiday visa while using my first working holiday visa? And how soon can I apply for my third visa while using my second visa? Right now, there’s the 3-month/6-month specified work requirement. But when that requirement ends for UK passport holders next year, does that mean that I will be able to apply for my second visa as soon as I activate my first, or my third visa as soon as I activate my second?

    Thanks.

  34. Hi there,

    I’m curious, as I have just returned from Australia to the UK after my first WHV, however the visa is still valid until mid September. I completed my 88 days and was looking to apply for my second year, entering Australia around December. If I were to apply for my second year now and it was granted would it begin when the first visa ends or from when I re-enter Australia? Should I wait to apply until my first visa is finished?

    Thank you!

  35. Hi, I finish my 88 days the day before my visa runs out. Will I need to leave the country the next day to reapply or will i be granted a bridging visa?

  37. Hey!
    I spent 7 months on a whv from July 2022- Feb 23 and did my 3 months farm work.
    Now I’d like to go back for an occasion as soon as possible. And since I am worried about a long processing time of the second whv, I was thinking of coming on a tourist visa for 2-3 months to then come on a second year whv later next year. Is it too late to apply for the second year if I came on a different visa in the meantime?

    And then also, do I necessarily need a tax return or not necessarily. I don’t have bank statements either, but the rest of the suggested supporting documents.

    And lastly, what have you recently been hearing about processing times of the 2 whv (I am German) ?

    Thanks so much!!

    • Hi Hannah, yes you can do a tourist visa and then apply for a WHV (2nd year). You will need to provide copy of your payslips or PAYG to apply. Processing times vary so it is hard to give you a clear answer. Currently visas are approved within weeks. Cheers

      • Thanks so much for the reply!
        I’m just a bit confused still. So the eVisitor visa (651) goes for a year (in which I can stay for up to three months each entry).
        Is it a problem if I apply for the second WHV within that year, where I still technically hold the visa?
        Like if I came for three months and then as soon as I left the country applied for the WHV?
        Or would I need to wait for those 12 months to pass?

        Thanks heaps!!

  38. Hello, I have a question about the working hours.
    I am working in a cattle farm every Monday to Friday. The hours I work vary by the weather and my average working hour is under 6 hours per day (around 5-6 hours). Does this situation still can be considered as a full time position? If not, for the causal/ part time position, does the unpaid weekends can be counted into the 88 days?

  39. Hey!

    I got my first WHV when I was 30 (I’m Swedish). Now I 31. Can I still do my 88 days and apply for a second WHV? Because I already have the first one so to me it makes sense that I could apply for a second one.

  40. hey, I hope you can help me !!

    I’ve done my first year in 2015 and wanna come back for my 2nd end 2024
    i do have my no and contract and reference of work back in the days. but not my pay-slips
    should be all enough and fine, right? I am from Germany, 29 years old.
    big thanks and hug 🙂

    Roj

  41. Hi, I am going to Australia in October on my first 417 visa. I am 35 and turn 36 in January. I would like to get a second year visa – I understand I need to apply before my 36th birthday but my current visa will run until 10/2025. How will this work – will the second year visa run consecutively giving me 2 years in Australia between October 2024-2026? Thanks

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