How to Count 88 Days
Master the rules for what counts as a qualifying day, avoid common mistakes, and ensure your 88-day requirement is properly recorded.
What is a Qualifying Day?
A day counts toward your 88-day requirement if:
- ✓You worked at least 8 hours on that day (or your employer's standard full day)
- ✓The work was in a qualifying work type (farming, fishing, mining, etc.)
- ✓The work was in an eligible regional area
- ✓You were paid for the work (salary, wages, or contracted)
✅ What COUNTS
✓ Full Work Days
- • 8 hours of fruit picking in NSW
- • 10 hours of grapevine pruning in VIC
- • 9 hours of shearing in QLD
- • Any full working day at your employer's standard
✓ Multiple Employers
- • Days add up across different farms
- • Different regions are allowed
- • Different work types are allowed
- • Total days that matter, not single job
✓ Specified Work Types
- • Harvesting & planting
- • Shearing & dairy
- • Commercial fishing
- • Mining (in eligible regions)
✓ Regional Areas
- • Most farms are in eligible postcodes
- • Use postcode checker tool
- • Ask your employer if unsure
✓ Paid Work
- • Salary employment
- • Piece work/contract
- • Work exchange with accommodation
- • (Unpaid volunteer work does NOT count)
✓ Consecutive & Non-Consecutive
- • Work doesn't need to be consecutive
- • You can take breaks between jobs
- • You can travel between employers
- • Only total days matter
❌ What DOES NOT COUNT
❌ Part-Time Hours
- • Less than 8 hours per day
- • Weekend work alone (unless full day)
- • Casual shifts under your employer's standard
- • Hours don't convert to "partial days"
❌ Unpaid Work
- • Volunteer farming
- • Work exchange (no payment)
- • Family farm work without wages
- • Training or internships (unpaid)
❌ Non-Qualifying Work
- • Retail/hospitality in urban areas
- • Construction (outside eligible zones)
- • Office/administrative work
- • Tourism/hospitality (2nd visa only)
❌ Non-Regional Areas
- • City/metro farm work
- • Peri-urban farms (outside postcode list)
- • Check your postcode first
❌ Self-Employment
- • Running your own farm business
- • Self-employed contracting
- • Direct farm ownership
❌ Breaks & Time Off
- • Sick days (unless you work)
- • Public holidays (unless you work)
- • Days you request off
- • Only worked days count
🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake: Counting part-time hours as days
Reality: 5 hours + 4 hours = 0 days (not 1 day). Each day must be a full working day. Track full days only.
Mistake: Working in a city and assuming it counts
Reality: Only regional/remote postcodes count for some work types. Always verify your location is eligible before accepting the job.
Mistake: Not getting written confirmation from employer
Reality: When you apply for your second visa, you need proof. Get a certification letter immediately while your employer can verify dates and hours.
Mistake: Relying on memory or diary entries alone
Reality: The Department of Home Affairs wants employer verification. Get written confirmation that your days are accurate and authentic.
Mistake: Counting work from an ineligible work type
Reality: Not all farm work counts. Verify the work type is on the eligible list before starting your job.
Ready to Apply for Your Second Visa?
Example Scenarios
January 1-15: Picking apples, NSW
10 days × 8 hours = 10 days counted (qualifying work, regional area, paid)
January 20-February 10: Grapevine pruning, VIC
15 days × 9 hours = 15 days counted (cumulative total: 25 days)
February 15-28: Café work in Brisbane
10 days × 6 hours = 0 days counted (not qualifying work, urban area)
March 1-31: Mining contractor, WA remote area
20 days × 10 hours = 20 days counted (cumulative total: 45 days)
April: Weekend volunteer work on family farm
8 days × 6 hours (unpaid) = 0 days counted (unpaid work, less than 8 hours)