19/10/2026
🇦🇺 DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR 88 DAYS.
If the recent Working Holiday visa announcements have left you wondering whether regional work is still worth doing, we understand.
You came to Australia with plans. Work, travel, friendships and hopefully more time to enjoy this big, beautiful country. Uncertainty about your next visa is a lot to carry. It sucks.
As much as we're against these changes and continue to lobby that the be removed, your 88 days are still very important.
For backpackers who need specified work to qualify for a second year, completing that work remains crucial. The announced ballot proposal also retains a regional work requirement.
There’s an important thing to remember: existing rules apply until a change takes effect.
And so far, the government has not made any announcements about when all these changes take effect.
So keep working towards your requirements, keep your payslips and employment records, and check the current Home Affairs requirements when planning your application. If you’ve already completed your work, check your eligibility and application timing now.
At Ayr Backpackers, we know your 88 days mean much more than paperwork.
They mean earning money for your next adventure. Learning something new. Meeting people you’d never otherwise meet. Finishing a hard day alongside mates, then sharing dinner or settling in for a movie night.
Your work matters to our farmers and our community. And you deserve to feel welcome while you’re doing it.
Ayr Backpackers will keep fighting to oppose these dumb ballots and advocate for a fair outcome for backpackers.
In the meantime, we’re here to help you explore work and accommodation options in Ayr.
📩 Message us “88 DAYS” with your planned arrival date. We’ll talk through current availability and what to expect before you travel. Work opportunities and hours vary with crops, weather and farm demand.
You’re welcome in Ayr, and we’re still standing beside you.
Know someone worried about their 88 days? Share this with them.
