What evidence to keep for your 88 days
Home Affairs can ask you to prove every day you claim. Here’s the evidence it lists, and how to keep it organised from day one.
By Borja Pérez · Updated October 2026
Quick answer: Keep payslips and Australian bank statements covering every period of specified work you claim, plus any piecework agreement, group certificates, tax returns and employer references. Home Affairs can contact your employers, and volunteer recovery work needs a signed letter from the coordinator or host.
- Payslips and bank statements are the most common proof of paid work.
- Evidence must cover every period you claim, and the work site postcode matters.
- Volunteer letter: passport details, tasks, postcodes and number of days worked.
- Source: Home Affairs, second Working Holiday visa (417).
The evidence Home Affairs lists
For second and third visas, the official pages list evidence such as:
- Payslips for the work you claim
- Australian bank statements covering the period of declared specified work
- A piecework agreement, if you were paid by the piece — showing the piece rate and how it is measured
- Group certificates and payment summaries
- Tax returns
- Employer references
- A signed agreement covering any lawful deductions from your pay
On the subclass 462 pages, payslips and bank statements are grouped together as “evidence of payment”. Either way, the evidence must cover every period you worked, and the Department may contact your employers.
Sources: second 417, third 417, second 462 and third 462 visa pages, checked 7 October 2026.
Volunteer recovery work
Volunteer work only counts for bushfire or natural disaster recovery in declared areas. For it you need a signed letter from the coordinator or host that includes your passport details, the tasks you did, the postcodes where you worked and the number of days.
How to keep it organised
- Check the postcode on your payslip or reference. The case officer checks where you physically worked — if the payslip only shows a head office, ask for a reference with the work site address.
- Save every payslip as you get it, not at the end. Employers in seasonal work close, change names or lose records.
- Download bank statements for the whole period and check the payments match your payslips.
- Keep your piecework agreement if you were paid per bin, bucket or tray.
- Log your days as you go in the 88 days calculator and download a backup, so you know exactly which periods your evidence has to cover.
Make sure you were paid properly
Specified work must be paid in line with Australian law and awards. Being underpaid is a problem in its own right, and the Fair Work Ombudsman can help. Unpaid work does not count, except volunteer recovery work in declared bushfire or disaster areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need payslips for every job?
Your evidence needs to cover every period of specified work you claim. Payslips are the most common proof, alongside Australian bank statements showing the payments.
Can Home Affairs contact my employer?
Yes. The official pages say the Department may contact your employers to check the work you declare.
What do I need for volunteer recovery work?
A signed letter from the coordinator or host with your passport details, the tasks you did, the postcodes and the number of days worked.
This guide is general information, not migration, tax or legal advice. Only the Department of Home Affairs decides whether your work counts towards a visa. Rules change; always check the official pages before you apply. See our methodology and disclaimer.