Australia Working Holiday 6-Month Employer Restriction Exemption & Exception Sectors Guide

"I'm working at cafe. Must I quit after 6 months? Are there exceptions?"

Australian Working Holiday visa (417, 462) has a rule that you cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months. However, there are exception sectors where you can work 6+ months if conditions are met.

This guide is based on Australian Department of Home Affairs official information.

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1. What is 6-Month Employer Restriction?

1.1. Basic Regulation

Working Holiday Visa Condition:

• Can work with same employer for maximum 6 months
• After 6 months, must move to different employer
• Visa cancellation possible if violated

Example:

• Started at ABC Cafe on January 1
• Can only work until June 30
• Must move to different cafe from July 1

1.2. Why This Regulation?

Purpose:

• Working holiday visa is for travel + cultural experience
• Prevent long-term work at one place
• Encourage diverse experiences

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2. Exception Sectors (6+ Months Possible)

2.1. Agriculture

Agriculture-Related Work:

• Fruit Picking
• Vegetable Harvesting
• Farm Maintenance
• Animal Husbandry

Exception Condition:

• Can work at same farm for up to 12 months
• Within same region only

Region Definition:

• Example: Mildura (VIC) entire region
• Multiple farms under same farm owner possible

2.2. Northern Australia

Northern Australia Regions:

• Northern Territory (all)
• Queensland (northern)
• Western Australia (northern)

Sectors:

• Tourism & Hospitality
• Agriculture
• Construction

Exception:

• Can work with same employer for up to 12 months

Examples:

• Cairns resort: 12 months possible
• Darwin restaurant: 12 months possible

2.3. Aged Care

Aged Care Related Work:

• Aged Care Worker
• Personal Care Assistant
• Disability Support Worker

Exception:

• Can work with same employer for up to 12 months

2.4. Construction (Partial)

Construction Work (Northern Only):

• Northern Territory
• Northern QLD, WA

Exception:

• Up to 12 months possible
• Southern areas: 6-month restriction applies

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3. Specified Work (Second Visa Related)

3.1. What is Specified Work?

Work Qualifying for Second Visa:

• Agriculture, construction, mining
• Location: Regional Australia
• Minimum 88 days work

6-Month Restriction:

• Specified Work also 6-month restriction applies
• However, agriculture allows up to 12 months

3.2. Examples

Scenario 1: Farm (Exception Yes)

• Worked 6 months at Mildura farm
• Can work additional 3 months at same farm
• Total 9 months work → Second visa qualification obtained

Scenario 2: Construction (Exception No, Southern)

• Worked 6 months at Sydney construction site
• Must move to different construction company after 6 months
• Cannot extend with same company

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4. 6-Month Extension Application Method

4.1. When Extension Possible

Conditions:

• Exception sectors (agriculture, northern, aged care)
• Employer agrees
• No visa condition violations

4.2. Application Procedure

Step 1: Employer Confirmation

• Confirm employer willing to extend
• Create new contract

Step 2: Immigration Confirmation (Optional)

• Phone: 131 881
• Email confirmation possible
• Auto-approved (if exception sector)

Step 3: Continue Work

• Continue working after 6 months
• Keep payslips

Note:

• No formal application procedure
• If exception sector, automatically allowed

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5. Immigration Checks and Penalties

5.1. Immigration Checks

When Do They Check?

• When applying for second visa
• Random audit (rare)
• When complaint filed

What They Check:

• ABN verification (employer info)
• Payslips
• Bank statements
• Tax return

5.2. Violation Penalties

Working Over 6 Months (Non-Exception):

• Warning
• Visa cancellation
• Second visa application rejection
• Australia re-entry ban (3 years)

How to Avoid:

• Confirm exception sector
• Keep payslips
• File taxes

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6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What about same company different location?

A. No, it's the same employer. For example, if you worked 6 months at Gloria Jean's Sydney branch, you can't work at Gloria Jean's Melbourne branch (same ABN).

Q2. If I work 12 months on farm, do I get 2 second visas?

A. No, only 1 second visa possible. You only need 88 days, spend the rest gaining different experiences.

Q3. Can I rest 1 week after 6 months then work again?

A. No. Immigration considers this "same employer extension". You must go to different employer.

Q4. What exactly is Northern Australia?

A.

• Northern Territory (all)
• QLD: North of Cairns, Townsville
• WA: North of Broome

Check: Immigration Postcode List

Q5. Do freelancers (ABN) have 6-month restriction?

A. No. ABN holders can work with multiple clients so 6-month restriction doesn't apply.

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7. Final: 6-Month Restriction Checklist

General Sectors (Cafe, Restaurant, Retail):

• Change employer after 6 months
• Same company different location NOT allowed
• Keep payslips

Exception Sectors (Agriculture):

• Same farm up to 12 months possible
• Complete 88 days for second visa
• Confirm region (Regional)

Northern Australia:

• Check postcode
• Up to 12 months possible
• Confirm employer ABN

Understand 6-month restriction and plan jobs strategically!

Related Articles:

• Australia Second Visa Complete Guide
• How to Find Australia Farm Jobs
• Australia TFN Application Guide

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About the Author The WHRESUME team is in their 3rd year living in Melbourne and genuinely supports Australian working holiday makers. This guide is based on feedback from the working holiday community and analysis of official Australian sources.

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📌 Latest Information:

• Department of Home Affairs - Official visa regulation information