Bushfire Recovery Jobs for Backpackers

The Australian government has announced changes to the working holiday programs to allow backpackers helping with the bushfire relief effort to count this work as “Specified Work” towards their 2nd year and 3rd year visa extension.

Bushfire Recovery - Disaster Relief Jobs

Backpacker Job Board have created this Bushfire Recovery Jobs category to help farmers and residents of disaster hit communities find the much-needed help they require. Skilled backpackers are ready, able and willing to help in the recovery effort and the new Government announcements means they can now do so and be rewarded with an extension to their stay.

The key points are:

• The time a backpacker can work with the same employer has been extended from six months to 12 months for those assisting with bushfire recovery efforts through a change in policy.
• The definition of “specified work” will be revised for the Work and Holiday Maker (subclass 462) visa, to ensure construction work in a disaster declared area is captured. This is consistent with existing arrangements for Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa holders.
• Paid and volunteer disaster recovery work in declared areas impacted in the recent bushfires will count towards the “specified work” needed to apply for a second or third year 417 or 462 visa.