417 and 462 visas: Recovery work areas expanded

Specified work areas for 417 and 462 visas expanded to include new disaster recovery zones 

From 5 April 2025, the Australian Government expanded the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program to include more locations where visa holders can complete specified work, such as assisting with bushfire, flood, cyclone, or other natural disaster recovery efforts. 

Holders of the 417 visa and the 462 visa can now undertake eligible work in these newly added areas to meet the specified work requirements needed to apply for a second or third visa. Specified work refers to certain types of jobs in approved industries and regions that allow visa holders to extend their stay in Australia. 

Disaster recovery work as specified work 

This disaster recovery specified work includes both paid and volunteer work in official declared bushfire, flood, cyclone, or other severe weather zones. 

To be eligible: 

• Bushfire recovery work must have been carried out after 31 July 2019 in declared bushfire-affected areas. 

• Flood, cyclone, and other disaster recovery work must have been carried out after 31 December 2021 in areas declared affected by severe weather events. These changes apply to visa applications lodged on or after 5 April 2025, or applications submitted before that date but not yet finalised. 

Examples of eligible disaster recovery work include: 

• Construction, farming, or land and property restoration 

• Caring for wildlife or farm animals 

• Assisting volunteer organisations supporting affected communities 

• Demolition, trench digging, land clearing, and earthmoving 

• Residential and non-residential construction or repair, including roads, bridges, fencing, irrigation systems, and drainage infrastructure 

• General clean-up activities such as mopping, hosing down, moving damaged furniture 

• Administrative and coordination support for recovery services 

• Delivery of essential items to impacted individuals 

• Animal care, transport, and equipment support during disaster response 

For a list of eligible locations, see Bushfire Declared Areas. 

For a list of eligible postcodes, visit Natural Disaster Declared Areas. 

Newly added suburbs to specified work areas 

Bushfire-affected areas  

The following suburbs in Victoria have been added to the list of declared bushfire recovery areas: 

Bass Coast, Buloke, Cardinia, Casey, Central Goldfields, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Greater Geelong, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Kingston, Knox, Macedon Ranges, Maroondah, Melton, Mitchell, Monash, Moorabool, Mornington Peninsula, Mount Alexander, West Wimmera, and Whitehorse. 

Flood, cyclone, and severe weather areas: 

• New South Wales: Lithgow 

• Northern Territory: West Arnhem 

• Tasmania: All areas included 

• Victoria: Ararat, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Greater Geelong, Horsham, Kingston, Knox, Monash, Moorabool, Whitehorse 

• Western Australia: Bruce Rock, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Coolgardie, Dardanup, Dundas, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha, Laverton, Leonora, Menzies, Ngaanyatjarraku, Northampton, Sandstone, Wyndham-East Kimberley 

Who does this apply to? 

These amendments apply to: 

• Applications for a Subclass 417 or 462 visa made on or after 5 April 2025 

• Applications submitted before 5 April 2025 that have not yet been finalised 

• Applicants who conduct recovery work in these newly added suburbs may now be eligible to count this towards their specified work requirement for a second or third WHM visa. 

Key changes 

• Expansion of specified work areas: Areas affected by bushfires, floods, cyclones, and other severe weather events are now officially included as eligible for specified work. 

• Visa eligibility: Recovery work in these areas can now be counted towards the “specified work” requirement for second and third visa applications under Subclass 417 and 462. 

• Effective date: These changes apply from 5 April 2025, including for applications already lodged but not yet finalised. 

These amendments are part of Australia’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities impacted by natural disasters and recognise the vital contribution of Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visa holders in rebuilding efforts. 

This means more opportunities for visa holders to extend their stay while playing a key role in Australia’s disaster recovery.  

Where to find more information 

The Department of Home Affairs has updated the list of eligible postcodes and regions on the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program page. The updated legislative instruments are also available on the Federal Register of Legislation. 

How Absolute Immigration can help 

Understanding changes to regional eligibility and visa extension requirements is critical for both visa holders and employers. At Absolute Immigration, we help individuals navigate complex visa conditions and support businesses hiring WHM visa holders in affected regions. 

Let us work together to create stronger support for temporary migrants—and the communities they serve. 

Contact us at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com to learn how we can support your goals through tailored immigration advice.