Complete guide to specified work in Australia (for 2nd and 3rd WHVs)

When filling out the application for the Second or Third WHV, you will need to submit proof that you have completed at least 88 or 179 days of specified work. You can provide different types of evidence, including:

• payslips
• a written contract, indicating whether you are paid by the piecework rate or by the hour
• references from employers confirming the dates you worked for them and your job duties
• an original bank statement from an Australian bank that matches the period of work and the wages you declared.

Make sure you are paid properly for your work to count. If your proof does not show you were paid the legal minimum wage, or you are paid “under the table” in cash with no other record of your employment, you will not be able to count this work towards your 88 or 179 days.

Your former employers may be contacted by the government to check that the information you have provided is correct.

If there is any doubt as to whether you have completed 88 or 179 days of specific work, the Department of Home Affairs may refuse your application. If you provide the Australian government with false information and they find out, you won’t be eligible to apply for any further visas for Australia and you could be made inadmissible for up to 3 years.

Note that this also impacts your future entry into other countries, even as a tourist, as a number of countries ask if you have ever previously been refused a visa or entry to a country.

Proof of volunteering

If you volunteered for your specified work and, therefore, did not receive typical evidence such as payslips or piece work agreements, you can provide the following examples of proof:

• a letter from your supervisor specifying the work period, the number of days worked and the tasks performed
• pictures of you at work and with your hosts
• a photo of the guestbook page if you left a message specifying the dates you were present
• if you have a blog or shared any content on social media, you may be able to give proof of posts about your work experience, profiles of the people you worked with, etc.
• receipts from shopping in stores in town, use of ATMs, or even the bus or train ticket you took to the location, to prove you were there during the dates you have specified.

Since volunteers don’t have any records of wages, the Department of Home Affairs tends to check eligibility more carefully. Make sure to provide plenty of informal proof of your volunteering experience.