It is now official! Alan Tudge MP added new rules for backpackers to help with bushfires recovery. Why is it important to know?

First of all, foreign backpackers on working holiday visas will be able to help communities affected by bushfires.

Then, it is a big change for backpackers who want to extend their visa for a second year and third year.

Please read carefully all the changes :

SUMMARY OF WORKING HOLIDAY MAKER (WHM) CHANGES

1. There is an extension from 6 months to 12 months for backpackers who work with the same employer. This applies to those assisting with bushfire recovery efforts through a change in policy.
2. The definition of “specified work” will be revised for the Work and Holiday Maker (subclass 462) visa. This will ensure that construction work in a disaster declared area is captured. This is consistent with existing arrangements for Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa holders.
3. Paid and volunteer work in declared areas will count towards the “specified work”. Now, backpackers can apply for a 2nd or 3rd year for 417 or 462 visas.

BUSHFIRE AFFECTED AREAS

For the purpose of a second or third Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa in bushfire affected areas, regional Australia includes postcodes in the following table.

State/Territory	Postcode
Victoria	3159, 3213, 3218, 3272-3287, 3289, 3292-3294 3300-3305, 3309-3312, 3314-3315, 3317, 3328, 3330-3333, 3342, 3350-3352, 3355-3357, 3360, 3363-3364, 3373-3375, 3377-3381, 3384, 3387-3388, 3407, 3444, 3453, 3467-3469, 3515-3516, 3550, 3555-3357, 3570, 3607-3608, 3665, 3677, 3682, 3687, 3690, 3691, 3694, 3697-3699, 3700-3701, 2704-3705, 3707-3709, 3713, 3715, 2720, 3722, 3732-3733, 3735, 3737-3741, 3744, 3781-3783, 3807-3810, 3812-3816, 3818, 3820-3825, 3831-3833, 3835, 3840, 3842, 3844, 3847, 3850-3852, 3854, 3856-3860, 3862, 3864- 3865, 3869-3871, 3873-3875, 3878, 3880, 3882, 3885-3893, 3895-3896, 3898, 3900, 3902,3904, 3909, 3950, 3953, 3971, 3978, 3980-3981, 3987-3988
New South Wales	2069-2075, 2083, 2224-2228, 2230-2234, 2250-2251, 2256-2257, 2259-2260, 2264-2265, 2267, 2278, 2280-2287, 2289-2290, 2305-2306, 2312, 2320-2331, 2333-2337, 2344-2347, 2350-2356, 2358, 2361, 2365, 2370-2372, 2386, 2390, 2399-2404, 2408-2411, 2415, 2422-2431, 2439-2441, 2443-2450, 2452, 2452-2456, 2460, 2462-2466, 2469-2490, 2536-2541, 2545-2546, 2548-2551, 2568-2569, 2571-2581, 2611, 2623, 2625, 2627-2628, 2630-2633, 2642, 2644, 2649, 2650, 2653, 2658-2660, 2720, 2730, 2748-2750, 2752-2755, 2757-2759, 2773-2774, 2776-2780, 2782-2786, 2790, 2844-2849, 2852, 3707, 4375, 4377, 4380, 4383, 4385
South Australia	5062, 5072-5073, 5076, 5110, 5112-5114, 5117, 5020-5131-5134, 5136-5142, 5144, 5151-5157, 5220-5223, 5231-5237, 5240-5245, 5250-5245, 5260-5261, 5264-5266, 5271, 5273, 5275, 5301-5303, 5321, 5351, 5576-5577, 5581, 5605-5606, 5630-5632
Queensland	4157-4161, 4163-4165, 4183-4184, 4208-4211, 4212-4218, 4220-4230, 4271-4272, 4275, 4287, 4300-4301, 4303-4307, 4309-4313, 4340-4341, 4342-4344, 4345-4347,  4350, 4352-4356, 4358-4363, 4365, 4370-4378, 4380-4383, 4400-4404, 4407, 4570, 4580-4581, 4515, 4517-4519, 4550-4551, 4553-4569, 4571-4575, 4600-4601, 4614-4615, 4630, 4563, 4670-4671, 4673, 4674, 4676-4678, 4680, 4694-4695, 4697, 4701, 4703-4604, 4706, 4710, 4711
Tasmania	7027, 7119, 7140, 7213-7216, 7264, 7304
Australian Capital Territory	All of ACT

Official source

WHERE TO FIND A JOB ?

Blazeaid is a volunteer-based organization that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.

Read here the Official Press release.