Short answer
Bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire-affected areas counts on both visas, paid or volunteer, for work done after 31 July 2019. For volunteer work, each day you worked counts as one day.
417 or 462: where it counts
| Visa | Where bushfire recovery counts |
|---|---|
| 417 Working Holiday | Counts in declared bushfire areas (Table 5), paid or volunteer. |
| 462 Work and Holiday | Same as the 417. |
What counts
“WHMs can count bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire-affected areas as specified work, if the work is carried out after 31 July 2019.”
Home Affairs, specified work
Examples Home Affairs gives:
- rebuilding fences in a bushfire-affected community
- caring for wildlife in a bushfire-affected community
- support work for volunteer organisations helping bushfire victims
- demolition, trench digging, land clearing and earth moving
- building or repairing homes, roads, bridges, fencing, dams and drainage
What doesn't count
- work outside the declared bushfire areas
- work done before 1 August 2019
How the days count
- Volunteer days count one for one: each day you helped is one day, with no weekends added.
- For volunteer work, get a signed letter from the coordinator with your passport number, duties, postcodes and number of days.
Listed postcodes by state
| State | 417 | 462 |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 488 | 488 |
| New South Wales | 340 | 340 |
| Queensland | 240 | 240 |
| South Australia | 101 | 101 |
| Western Australia | 43 | 43 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 25 | 25 |
| Tasmania | 18 | 18 |
| Northern Territory | 11 | 11 |
Number of postcodes with their own page where bushfire recovery is listed. PO-box-only postcodes aren't counted.
Questions people also ask
Does volunteering after a bushfire count?
Yes, in a declared bushfire area, for work after 31 July 2019. Each day volunteered counts as one day.
Sources
General information, not immigration advice. Checked against Home Affairs on 21 October 2026.