How to Take a Gap Year in Australia on a Budget

So you want to take a gap year in Australia? Good on ya, mate! ‘Straya is the perfect place for a gap year abroad. You’ll find cuddly wallabies, a multicultural community, Tim Tams galore, and over 10,000 beaches across the country. It’s a land built for backpackers and road trippers, and there’s enough adventure – from its coral reefs to the red-hot center – to fill a lifetime.

It’s no secret that Australia has one downside: it’s expensive. Luckily, in a backpacker-friendly country, it’s more than possible to take a gap year in Australia on a budget. There are heaps of ways to save money, both before and while you travel Australia. And even better, Australia is one of the few places you can work abroad easily! That’s right, most gap year programs in Australia allow you to make money while you travel.

Whether you want to land a job in Australia or simply embark on a grand adventure, stick to these budget tips for your gap year in Australia, and you’ll be rolling in colorful dollar bills in no time!

10 budget tips for your gap year in Australia

A gap year in Australia doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, if you follow these tips to travel Australia on a budget, you may return home with more money in your pockets than when you left home!

1. Get a job!

The best part about taking a gap year in Australia is the working holiday visa program. If you’re under 30, you have the option of traveling on a year-long visa (or longer) that allows you to work to fund your travel. Not only will you save money while abroad, but working in Australia will show you a different side of the country to make your traveling even more meaningful. 

Whether you want to gain experience in your field or choose a job that’s fun and laid back, there are endless options to work during gap year programs in Australia. Here are some of the most popular jobs for working holiday visa holders:

• Fruit picking. Help Australian farmers by traveling outside of the main cities for fruit picking opportunities on farms. Most backpackers lend a hand at fruit picking, not only to give back to Australian communities during a gap year in Australia, but also to earn a second (or even third!) year on their working holiday visas. You heard that right, your gap year could turn into two!
• Hospitality. As a massive tourist destination, Australia has endless jobs in hospitality. Whether you want to work in a bar, café, restaurant, or hotel, you can put those customer service skills to use and meet heaps of people from around the world in hospitality jobs in the big cities.
• Au Pair. Many gap year programs in Australia offer options to become an au pair. Perfect for those big kids at heart, au pairing allows the opportunity to join an Aussie family to look after the children. You’ll experience true Australian culture in this type of work, and you’ll also join a big au pair community, making it easy to make new mates while abroad.
• Marketing. From fundraising to advertising, marketing jobs are on the rise in Australia. Spend your gap year abroad learning about marketing on an international level, and gain access to many short-term job opportunities in the main cities along the coastlines.
• Teach English. Yes, English is the native language of Australia, but that’s an even better reason to land English teaching positions here. Think about all those international travelers who come to learn the native language! In Australia, every big city has plenty of language schools, so you can teach your native tongue in an international environment.

2. Steer clear of the big cities.

You’ve been dreaming of sipping champagne in Sydney’s Circular Quay, overlooking the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and eating your way through Melbourne’s laneways. But the truth is, unless you land a job in one of Australia’s big cities, city life isn’t always budget-friendly. 

Even if you can find cheap accommodation, there are so many temptations, from the thriving nightlife to the epic food scenes. Instead, seek out a smaller hub to spend your gap year in Australia. While you may miss out on Bondi Beach, there are thousands of smaller beach towns to call home, or you can head inland for a true blue Outback experience.

3. Budget and save before you go abroad.

The best way to ensure your bank account can handle travel Down Under is to spend some time saving before you take a gap year in Australia. Get a part-time job, put money away each week, and come up with a solid travel savings plan. Consider how you want to spend your gap year in Australia: working? Studying or volunteering? Traveling along the coasts? Scuba diving amongst reef sharks, or finally learning to surf? Every detail should be taken into consideration. 

If you’re still having trouble tucking your savings away, use GoAbroad’s budget planner to help you keep track of your spending and maximize your savings so you can splurge on your gap year in Australia. 

4. Road trip with friends.

Australia was made for road trips. While public transportation works within the big cities, each city has its own transport system, making it nearly impossible to travel through the country by public transport. Even if you had the option, the country is so big that it takes hours, if not days, to go from one city to the next. So why not rent a car or buy one used?

Road tripping is a rite of passage if you want to take a gap year in Australia on a budget. But with high fuel prices, the best way to see the country is to join new mates (or old ones) to split the cost. Stick to the coasts for the cheapest fuel prices, the best views, and optimal campsites to save money while having the ultimate adventure. 

5. Book cheap flights.

While you’ll definitely need to budget in the costs of an international flight to the other side of the world, you can actually save money by flying within the country. While a road trip is always epic, you can also opt for a cheaper option and still check off your Aussie gap year bucket list. 

Instead of driving 10 hours between Sydney and Brisbane, book a cheap flight on a domestic airline for less than $100! Australia has several budget airlines, including Tiger Air and Jetstar, that offer affordable flights to all of the best locations around Australia, making it easy to travel Australia on a budget. If you’re smart, you can use these travel hacks to secure the best prices available.

6. Cook your own food.

While food is an excellent way to experience the culture of a new place, eating out in Australia is – surprise, surprise – expensive. Expect to pay $15 for a lunch out, $4 for a coffee, and $30 for an affordable dinner at a local eatery. Luckily, there’s a way to eat your way through the country while on gap year programs in Australia without splurging on restaurants.

With so much farmland throughout the country, Australians make it easy to buy, cook, and eat local. Every big city has multiple markets, so you’ll be able to buy everything from meat and cheese, to locally grown fruits and veggies nearly any day of the week. Not only will you be able to support local farmers and get cheap prices, but markets are also a hot spot for people watching, live music, and local crafts, so you can experience true Aussie food culture. Grab your reusable bags and pack up a picnic in the city parks, or head to the beach for the day. 

7. Take advantage of free events.

It would be impossible to do gap year programs in Australia on a budget without the hundreds of free events to give your wallet a rest. If you’re a nature lover, a gap year in Australia is heaven. You have endless beaches, national parks, coastal walks, city parks, and botanical gardens so you can plan an entire day out without spending a single gold coin. If you need a break from wildlife for a bit, check out the free museums and galleries. Most cities also offer free city tours daily, so when you find yourself with a free day, hop on a tour to learn about your new home. 

8. Open a bank account.

If you’re planning to take a gap year in Australia, it’s helpful to open a local bank account once you arrive. Make time in your first week to head to your nearest Commonwealth or Westpac Bank, and open an account to make it easy to make and spend money during gap year programs in Australia. If you land a job, they can pay you directly into this account.

Even if you don’t plan to work during your gap year in Australia, an Aussie bank account can help you save on international bank fees. Withdraw your money and deposit it here, so you can skip paying multiple ATM or transaction fees. They certainly add up! 

9. Volunteer in Australia.

True, you may have to pay a fee to volunteer abroad. But most volunteer gap year programs in Australia include accommodation and other bonuses, like food, transportation, and excursions. You won’t have to worry about organizing a thing, as your program provider will take care of the nitty gritty for you, and you can save your pocket money by paying a one-off fee.

There are heaps of volunteer opportunities, especially for animal lovers. And while it may not be your first thought while planning a gap year in Australia, volunteering abroad will look excellent on your CV, making it easier to get a job and make back some money post-travels.

10. Apply for a gap year scholarship.

If all else fails, consider applying for a gap year scholarship to fund your gap year in Australia. Whether you want to take a gap year in Australia to get a leg up in the international marketing industry, volunteer in koala rehabilitation, or earn your SCUBA certificate, there are plenty of opportunities to apply for scholarships.

They’ll cover your gap year program fees and more, so you can really make the most of a gap year in Australia. Plan well in advance so you have plenty of time to do your research and write a killer essay. Don’t be afraid to apply for more than one to up your odds!

Take a gap year in Australia…on a budget!

Don’t let the cost discourage you from traveling to Australia! While you’ll have to factor in the initial cost of flights and visas to get you there, it’s more than possible to take a gap year in Australia on a budget if you plan in advance. Use GoAbroad’s budget tips to save before you go, minimize on-the-ground costs, and make some money while you’re at it. The best part: Traveling Australia on a budget still allows you to see the country to its fullest. So grab your mates, and don’t hesitate to take a gap year in Australia!

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