How to choose where to do your 88 days

The best place for your 88 days is not always the place with the most postcodes. It is the place where eligible work, timing, housing and proof all line up.

Start with eligibility, then think like a traveller

Before you message an employer, check that the postcode is in an eligible area and that the job type matches the specified work rules. A regional postcode alone is not enough if the work itself is not eligible.

After that, look at the real-life details: how you will get there, where you will sleep, whether the season is active, and whether the employer can give proper records.

The five-question test

1. Does the postcode appear in an eligible category?

Use the official Home Affairs postcode lists and VisaRoute to confirm the area. Flood and bushfire recovery areas can change, so always verify before committing.

2. Does the job type match the area?

Farm and livestock work may count in regional Australia. Hospitality is more limited and depends on the approved area. Construction has its own rules. The postcode and the work type need to make sense together.

3. Is the timing realistic?

Harvest work can be seasonal. A town may be strong in one month and slow in another. Ask employers when work usually starts, how many hours are expected and whether work depends on weather.

4. Can you live there without losing money?

Some areas have jobs but limited accommodation. Before travelling, ask about rent, transport to the worksite, bond, weekly deductions and whether you need your own car.

5. Can you prove the work later?

If a job cannot provide payslips, employer details, dates and bank payments, it can become risky even if the work sounds eligible.

A simple decision score

Give each area a score from 1 to 5 for eligibility confidence, job availability, season, accommodation, transport and proof. If an area scores low on proof or eligibility, treat it as high risk even if the job sounds attractive.