Eligible postcodes for 417 and 462 visas
Type a postcode. See whether it counts under the 417 list, the 462 list, or both. Then browse all eligible regions by state.
Check a postcode or region
Type a 4-digit Australian postcode (e.g. 4670) or a region name (e.g. Bundaberg). We'll tell you whether it counts toward your 88 days under the 417 list, the 462 list, or both.
Browse by state
The 88-day rule has a catch most backpackers miss on day one: the work only counts if it’s done in an eligible postcode. The Department of Home Affairs publishes two separate lists — one for the 417 visa and one for the 462 visa— and the two don’t fully overlap.
A few regions count for both subclasses. Some count only for 417. Some count only for 462. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane CBD, and most of the Gold Coast don’t count for either. If you do 88 days in the wrong postcode, the days don’t add up toward a second-year visa, no matter how legitimate the work was.
The lookup below uses our compiled subset of the DHA lists. For binding decisions, always cross-check the official sources linked under each result.
The eligibility map shifts over time. The Minister can add postcodes after a bushfire or flood declaration, and entire industries (fishing, mining, tourism in remote zones) have their own carve-outs. We refresh the data when we spot changes, but the official DHA pages are the moving target.
Once you’ve confirmed a postcode counts, the next questions are: how much can you earn there, and which working hostels are reliable. Try the income calculator for the first, and the 88 days guide for the full record-keeping checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there two different lists for 417 and 462?
The 417 (Working Holiday) and 462 (Work and Holiday) visas are separate subclasses created under different agreements. The Minister sets specified-work areas independently for each, defined in two legislative instruments. The 462 list has historically been more restrictive, focused on Northern Australia and select tourism zones, while 417 covers a broader sweep of regional Australia. Always check which list applies to your passport.
What if my postcode isn't shown here?
Our table is a curated subset of the official DHA lists, not the full enumeration. If a postcode doesn't appear in our search, it might still be eligible under a less-cited range, a recent natural-disaster declaration, or a specific industry carve-out. Check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or contact a registered migration agent before assuming it doesn't count.
Does my visa subclass determine which list applies?
Yes. If you hold a 417 visa, only the 417 list counts. If you hold a 462 visa, only the 462 list counts. Doing 88 days under the wrong list does not transfer credit. Check your visa grant letter to confirm your subclass before you accept work.
How do I prove the work happened in an eligible postcode?
DHA looks at three things during your second-year visa application: your payslips (which must list the farm or business address), an employment verification statement signed by your employer, and your tax records. Save every payslip. Save the farm's ABN. If the address on a payslip points to a non-eligible postcode (a headquarters in Brisbane, for example), DHA may reject the days — even if you physically picked fruit in Bundaberg.
Are bushfire and flood recovery postcodes really included?
Yes, since 2022. Paid or volunteer work cleaning up after a declared natural disaster counts as specified work for both 417 and 462 visas, including in postcodes that wouldn't otherwise be eligible. The Minister adds and removes these postcodes after each declaration, so the list moves. If you're considering recovery work, verify the exact dates and postcodes on the DHA news page before you commit.