Second Year Visa Jobs Australia: Which Jobs Actually Qualify (2026)

Want a second year on your Working Holiday Visa? You need a job that counts as “specified work.” For most backpackers, that means farm work: fruit picking, packing, pruning, general farmhand jobs, dairy, and livestock.

That’s the short answer. Farm work is the easiest qualifying job to find, it doesn’t need experience, and there’s work in every state.

This page is about the jobs themselves. Which roles count, which are easiest to land, and where to find them. For the rules on how the days are counted, postcodes, and paperwork, head to our 88 days farm work guide. We won’t repeat all of that here.

The Jobs That Get You a Second Year

The government doesn’t pay out the visa for any old job. The work has to fall into a set list of industries, and it has to be in an approved regional postcode.

Here are the job types that qualify.

Plant and animal cultivation is the big one. It covers the vast majority of backpackers doing their days, and it’s where almost all the work is.

For the exact definition of what counts within each category, see what counts as specified work.

Which Jobs Are Easiest to Find

If you just want your days done with the least hassle, target farm work.

Fruit and veg picking. This is the classic. Farms hire in big numbers during harvest, no experience needed. You’ll be slow your first week. Everyone is. After a fortnight you’ll be quick enough to earn decent money on piece rates.

Packing shed work. If picking in the sun isn’t for you, packing is the alternative. It’s under cover, steadier hours, and often the same farm that picks also packs. A good fallback when the weather’s rough.

Pruning and thinning. Winter work, roughly May to August in the southern states. When picking slows down, the vines and trees still need pruning. It counts for your days and it’s reliable cold-season work in regions like Mildura and the Sunraysia.

General farmhand. Fencing, irrigation, machinery, livestock feeding. If you can turn up on time and work hard, plenty of farms will take you. These jobs are often full-time, which means weekends count toward your total.

The harder ones to land are mining and construction. They pay well but most want tickets, licences, or trade experience. Fishing, pearling, and forestry count too, but the jobs are fewer and harder to come by. If you’ve got the skills, go for them. If you don’t, don’t waste your first-year clock chasing them.

Hospitality and Tourism: Read the Fine Print

This is the one that trips people up, and the rule depends on your visa.

On the subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa, tourism and hospitality work counts if it’s in northern Australia. Think bar work, hotels, tour guiding, and the like, above a defined line across the top of the country.

On the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa, hospitality only counts in areas classified as remote or very remote. A pub in a regular country town doesn’t qualify just because it feels far from the city. The classification is specific.

So before you take a hospitality job for your days, confirm two things. Your visa subclass, and the exact location. Get it wrong and you’ll work three months that don’t count. Check it against the Department of Home Affairs rules first.

How Many Days, and When to Start

On the 417 visa you need 88 days. On the 462 visa it’s 3 months. Full-time work counts every calendar day. Casual work only counts the days you actually clock on, which is why most people take four to five months on a casual contract.

The full breakdown of the counting rules, sick days, and weekends is in the 88 days farm work guide. The one thing worth saying here: start early. Begin your days in the first half of your first year so you’ve got room to deal with gaps between jobs.

Timing also depends on the crop. Different regions hire at different times of year, so line your job hunt up with the harvest. Our fruit picking seasons guide shows what’s being picked where, month by month.

Where to Find Second Year Visa Jobs

Once you know the job type you want, here’s how to find it without getting stung.

Use a board that shows the postcode. Your work only counts if it’s in an approved area. A listing that shows the location and postcode lets you check it before you apply. Browse farm jobs in Queensland and the other states to see live listings with postcodes attached.

Follow the harvest. Plenty of backpackers move from region to region as different crops ripen. That keeps the work steady across the year. The harvest trail guide maps out how to chain seasons together.

Check the postcode yourself. Don’t take an employer’s word that their farm qualifies. The list of approved postcodes for your 88 days is the thing that decides whether your work counts.

Avoid the obvious traps. No ABN, cash in hand, upfront “placement” fees, or a hostel “guaranteeing” work in exchange for pricey rent. Those days won’t be accepted, and the full list of red flags is in the pillar guide.

The Bottom Line

For most backpackers, the answer to “which jobs do I apply for to get my second year” is simple. Farm work. Picking, packing, pruning, or general farmhand jobs, in an approved regional postcode, with proper payslips.

The other industries count too. But farm work is the easiest to find, needs no experience, and there’s work somewhere in Australia every month of the year.

Pick your region, check the postcode, and start early.

Visa rules change. Always confirm the current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs before making decisions about your visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs qualify for a second year visa in Australia?

The government calls it “specified work.” The most common job is plant and animal cultivation: fruit picking, packing, pruning, farmhand work, dairy, and livestock. Fishing and pearling, tree farming, mining, regional construction, and disaster recovery also count. Tourism and hospitality count too, but the rules differ between the 417 and 462 visas. The work must be in an approved postcode. Check the current list on the Department of Home Affairs website.

What is the easiest job to get for a second year visa?

Fruit picking and packing are the easiest for most backpackers. Farms hire in big numbers at harvest, no experience needed, and there are listings in every state. Packing-shed work suits you if you want steadier hours under cover. General farmhand and pruning roles are also easy to find, especially in winter when picking slows down.

Does hospitality count for a second year visa?

It depends on your visa. On the 462 visa, hospitality counts if it’s done in northern Australia. On the 417 visa, hospitality only counts in areas classified as remote or very remote. The classifications are specific, so check the exact location against the Department of Home Affairs rules before relying on a hospitality job.

Can construction work count towards a second year visa?

Yes. Construction is a qualifying industry, as long as it’s in an approved regional postcode. It’s harder to find than farm work because many roles want tickets, licences, or trade experience. If you’ve got construction skills, it can pay well. If you don’t, farm work is the faster route to your days.

How many days of work do I need for a second year visa?

On the 417 visa you need 88 days. On the 462 visa it’s 3 months. Full-time work counts calendar days, so weekends count. Casual work only counts days you actually worked, which is why most people take four to five months. See our 88 days guide for how the counting works.

Where do I find jobs that count for a second year visa?

Start with a board that shows the location and postcode so you can confirm the work qualifies before you apply. Plan around the harvest so you target regions hiring now. Avoid cash-in-hand work and upfront fees, because those days won’t be accepted. Farmwork Australia lists farm jobs by state with the postcode on every listing.