Specified work only counts in eligible postcodes. Home Affairs publishes the official postcode lists for regional Australia, northern Australia and remote and very remote Australia. The postcode of the place you work is what counts, not where you live.
Last checked: 25 October 2026
The three area types
- Regional Australia: used for farm work, fishing, forestry, mining and construction on a 417. Big cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth are mostly excluded.
- Northern Australia: the Northern Territory and the northern parts of Queensland and Western Australia. Used for tourism and hospitality, and for most 462 specified work.
- Remote and Very Remote Australia: outback areas, used for tourism and hospitality work.
Tourism and hospitality extra postcodes
Tourism and hospitality work in postcodes 4406, 4416, 4498 and 7215 also counts.
How to check a postcode
- Ask the employer for the street address and postcode of where you will work.
- Open the Home Affairs specified work page for your visa (417 or 462) and find the right list for your industry.
- Check that the postcode is listed for that industry.
- Screenshot it and keep it with your payslips.
Postcode lists can change, so we link to the official list rather than copying it here.
Frequently asked questions
Does all of Tasmania count as regional?
Tasmania is included in the regional Australia list for 417 specified work, but always check the exact postcode on the Home Affairs list for your visa and industry.
I live in a regional town but work in a city. Does it count?
No. It is the postcode where the work is done that counts.
Official sources: Home Affairs: 417 specified work and postcodes ยท Home Affairs: 462 specified work and postcodes. Rules change, so always check the official source before you apply or sign anything.