Bathe on the beaches of the Whitsunday Islands, meander the trails around the Uluru, and dive the depths of the Great Barrier Reef in the Land Down Under. No country compares to the amazing cityscapes and rural landscapes of the continent and country of Australia.
Sydney looks majestic from afar — just wait until you see it up close!
If you need a break from your studies or career, a gap year in Australia will awaken your senses and refresh your adventurous spirit. Plus, the ease of being able to speak English in Australia, the low crime rate, and the lack of a huge culture shock makes the land of ‘roos and koalas an ideal place for a gap year!
From volunteering in the rainforest to working with animals on farmlands to surfing the beaches of the Gold Coast, you can do all this and so much more with Australia gap year programs. A gap year in Australia will offer you opportunities to develop new skills, strengthen your resume, make a difference, and meet people locally and internationally.
While spending a year in Australia, you’re bound to learn more about the Aboriginals, fascinating environments, and intriguing species that live there. Ready to take on the title of a gapper in Australia?!
What to know before spending a year in Australia
1. Browse your program options
You’ll first need to decide how long you want to stay in Australia, where you’ll want to go, and what you’ll want to do there. Many gap year programs in Australia are for gappers who want to work in Australia for a year. Don’t forget to take providers of Australia gap year programs into consideration as well.
Some of the most popular cities for spending a gap year in Australia are Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. If you’re between the ages of 18-30, you can apply to secure a working holiday visa that will last a year as long as your country of origin is eligible. If you’re over 30, you can apply for a tourist visa and stay up to 3 months (sometimes longer if you reapply) or a skilled visa.
Many jobs are in the service, tourism, and hospitality industries, but you could also find work on farms and ranches if you enjoy working with plants and animals. You can also look for affordable Australia gap year programs that focus solely on volunteering or adventurous activities.
2. You’ll want to plan your budget
The cost of spending a year in Australia won’t be cheap.
Once you’ve decided on the location in Australia, your Australia gap year program, and length of stay, you’ll have a much better idea of how much money to budget. If you’re working during your gap year in Australia, you’ll be able to add that as a source of income for necessities and other travel expenses.
The cost of living in Australia is a bit higher than in the US, but you can save money by having roommates and making food at home. You’ll be saving a lot more in the long run with a gap year Australia program because they find the best deals for accommodations, meals, and activities.
Many people budget for around $1,000-$1,500 a month. FundMyTravel is also an efficient way to raise money for your travel expenses!
3. Your lifestyle will become quite active
Scuba diving, white water rafting, mountain climbing, and many more fun, adventurous activities are just a few of many reasons why spending a year in Australia is so amazing. You can do so much that’ll make for a thrilling time and lifetime of memories!
But many of those things also require a certain level of fitness. You may also be working in labor-intensive jobs in the service industry or on ranches during your Australia gap year that require lots of running and lifting.
Many alumni gappers recommend doing trial shifts with a job to see if you can roll with the punches and to ensure it’s a good fit. Before you spend a gap year in Australia, it’s a good idea to exercise regularly and eat healthy foods. You’ll be able to enjoy yourself more while participating in such activities, and you’ll be doing yourself a favor in the long run!
4. When it comes to packing, less is more
You might think you need to bring everything but the kitchen sink in your suitcase, but do you really want to lug that around while traveling in Australia? You would regret that! You’ll want to stick to the essentials with your passport/ID, breathable shirts and shorts, any necessary medications, a swimsuit, hiking boots, sneakers, flip flops, a towel, and toiletries.
A gap year in Australia doesn’t require as much luggage as you might assume. Less is more!
Plus, you’ll want to bring an underwater case for your camera (or phone), sunnies (sunglasses), an adapter and converter, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Don’t forget a portable charger, ear plugs, and suitcase locks if you’re staying in hostels. You can buy just about everything else in Australia at local stores, so no worries there!
5. Choose the right time to go
The best time to fly to Australia depends on the time of year and location. As you’re probably aware, the seasons in Australia are opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Australian summers are from December-February, which are quite hot in most parts, and winters are from June-August, which are a bit chilly in many areas.
The spring and autumn seasons offer better weather, and you can avoid the busy summer break and Christmas traffic. The flights are usually the cheapest between May and September, and you’ll usually enjoy cooler, drier weather between these months in most areas along Australia’s East Coast. You may want to look for an Australia gap year program that begins between May and September to enjoy better weather and more affordable flights. Fair dinkum!
6. Scope out accommodation options
Luckily, almost all gap year programs in Australia will take care of where you’ll be staying in advance for the duration of your program. When you first arrive, you’ll most likely stay in a hostel for a few nights or a few weeks.
Hostels cost about $15-$35 a night, and they offer an easy way to meet other gappers and make brekkie together in the kitchens. From there, you’ll most likely be staying in guest houses for longer periods of time with other people in your Australia gap year program. Some programs will place you with a host family, where you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the culture more.
In other cases, you’ll need to find a place on your own for the long term, and many gappers have found success with apartments, especially holiday flats that offer flexible rental options.
7. Right is left and left is right?
Things operate a liiiittle differently in Australia.
Australians are like the Brits in that they drive on the left side of the street, and you’ll find it’s common etiquette to walk on the left side too on the pavement, escalators, stairs, etc. Be careful to look left then right (then left again) before crossing the street!
As for other common etiquette, be mindful of people’s personal space. Also, it’s not common to tip service staff like in the US, and remember to always mind your p’s and q’s. Australians in general are laid-back, friendly, and hospitable people, but they like to laugh and tease others, which is all in good fun.
Aussies appreciate punctuality with business meetings and appointments, but it’s customary to show up a little late for social gatherings. Also, don’t make the peace sign with your palm facing inward — it’s a vulgar gesture in Australia!
8. Traveling within Australia takes a loooong time
No doubt, Australia is a big country of 2.7 million square miles! Flights are the easiest and cheapest way to get from city to city, but they’re also the most expensive. However, if you’re strapped for time, you may be able to find good deals with Tiger Airways to get to Western Australia.
Some gappers opt for rideshare options or car rental systems to drive around the country and save money. One of the favorite ways among gappers to get around in Australia is on the bus. Greyhound Australia is the largest bus company on the east coast and offers lots of stops along the way and trips during the day and night.
If you just need to get around town, you can ride public buses or even subways and tram systems in the bigger cities. Australia is a pretty safe country for travelers — just be wary of pickpockets and be cautious in areas with dangerous flora and fauna. Gap year Australia programs will usually arrange most (if not all) of the in-country transportation for you!
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You’ll grow more than you can imagine after spending a year in Australia.
Wherever you begin your Australia gap year, you’ll have the time of your life and make memories for a lifetime. From Melbourne’s unique nightlife to the iconic landmarks of Sydney to the artsy town of Brisbane, Australia offers gappers plenty of trendy cities with job opportunities.
Many Australia gap year programs will be jam-packed with trips, tours, and more. Whether you’re holding a koala in Cairns, saluting the sunrise at Byron Bay, or spotting dingos on Fraser Island, you’ll have one-of-a-kind adventures.
You can also find gap year programs in Australia with opportunities to help volunteer for causes like marine conservation, wildlife education, reconstruction, and more. Some Australia gap year programs will also have trips to neighboring countries of New Zealand and Fiji!
You’ll be able to add hands-on experiential work or volunteer experience to your resume for prospective careers or earn credits for your college program if you’re a student. Spending a year in Australia will challenge you in many ways, and you’ll grow a lot as a person!
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