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with Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
80 Gap Year Programs in Australia & Oceania
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
4.68
825
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservatio
See All 7 ProgramsThe Intern Group
4.68
57
Jumpstart your career in Australia. Partnering with leading companies and NGOs, our Melbourne internship program provide students, graduates, and early-career professionals with international work experience, professional skills, and global networking opportunities. Intern in Melbourne, one of the
See All 3 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.76
41
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and med
See All 7 ProgramsSeamester Study Abroad at Sea
4.76
51
Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real out
See All 4 ProgramsGapforce
4.29
21
This Gapforce program is an action-packed, six-week tour combining travel and adventure with volunteering on Australia's famed East Coast. Your journey begins in the awesome city of Sydney before heading north to Brisbane via the legendary Byron Bay. You will spend two weeks volunteering on an envir
Pacific Discovery
4.65
40
Experience an unforgettable 10-week Gap Year Semester through New Zealand and Australia, two of the world’s most amazing travel destinations. This Pacific Discovery program is designed for students taking a gap year, seeking an alternative study abroad, or looking to combine travel with purpose. Jo
See All 7 ProgramsEA Ski and Snowboard Training
3.5
6
EA Ski and Snowboard Training is looking for skiers to join us in New Zealand on a winter gap year. If you love the outdoors, travel, and have a passion for skiing, then this ski instructor internship program is for you. What is the ski instructor internship program? The internship is a course des
See All 3 Programs5
3
Work and live in some of Australia's epic tourism locations and have it all arranged before you arrive. You could be working on islands on the Great Barrier Reef, in bustling tourism towns, in wilderness lodges, or in unique luxury outback lodges. We have partners throughout Australia offering w
See All 2 ProgramsGlobal Work & Travel
5
11
Craving something bigger than the same routine at home? Imagine spending your year hiking mountains, exploring glaciers, discovering hidden beaches and road tripping through one of the most scenic countries in the world, all while getting paid to travel. A New Zealand working holiday is the perfect
See All 3 ProgramsLinguistic Horizons
5
1
Take a life-changing gap year abroad with Linguistic Horizons! We offer internships in various fields, volunteer, study abroad programs, foreign language immersion, nutrition, and alternative medicine programs. Our program destinations include South America, Europe, and Oceania. Choose from Spain,
Love Volunteers
0
0
Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing countries, help conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or protect animals in the Amazon, Love Volunteers has a program for you. With over 200 projects in 40 countries there's something for everyone! For over 7 years Love Volu
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0
Live the high life as a ski lift attendant, play the field working in a vineyard or cause a stir as a barista with a working holiday in New Zealand. Why Work New Zealand Home to spellbinding scenery, rich Māori heritage and a laid-back ‘too easy’ attitude – Aeoteroa (New Zealand) is a magical plac
Intern Abroad HQ
4.71
7
Launch your marketing career with confidence through Intern Abroad HQ, the world’s most affordable and top-rated provider of Sales & Marketing internships. Designed to provide practical, real-world experience and boost your resume, these internships help you build creative, analytical, and communica
Volunteer World
4.29
17
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller g
See All 4 Programs0
0
Participate in this gap year program in Queenstown, New Zealand, with therapeutic support for young adults ages 18-22. Spring | Feb 18 – Apr 28, 2025 Fall | Sep 17 – Nov 25, 2025 Embark on the ultimate gap year adventure with our transformative program, designed to support your mental health and we
See All 2 ProgramsInstitute for Global Studies
4.57
7
IGS has placed students in some of the world’s most exciting museums. Our internship placements typically fall into two categories: working on the floor or conducting research and marketing behind the scenes. Floor work includes assisting the docent in the setup and interpretation of current exh
See All 19 ProgramsTravel For Teens
4.5
2
On this extended version of our 13-day Fiji program to the land of smiles, you get a little more of everything with a full 40 hours of community service and more sensational days to really savor Fiji time in paradise. See the direct positive impact of your hard work and earn service credits as you s
Academic Programs International
0
0
Sydney is the oldest and largest city and the economic and financial hub of Australia. Located on the southeastern coast, it is home to over 4.6 million people and is known worldwide for its stunning landmarks, such as the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Opera House, amazing cuisine, and diverse populace.
Rustic Pathways
0
0
Sign up for one of our Rustic Pathways Gap programs, which run for a semester. No matter what you join, we guarantee incredible opportunities for travel, service, non-cognitive skills development, and cultural immersion. Our gap programs integrate several options and activities. You can immerse you
ARCC Programs
0
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Journey to the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean where we immerse ourselves in the island lifestyles of Sumatra, Bali, and Fiji. Students will have the opportunity to assist in native mangrove and coral reef restoration, help restore age-old Bataknese houses in a Sumatran village, and gain insight in
4.97
34
Are you looking for the perfect package to start your working holiday and find paid jobs in Australia? Oz Gap Year: A Paid Work Program is the perfect way to start your Aussie adventure. Spend a fun-filled week with lots of action-packed activities while learning about life, travel, and career in A
See All 2 ProgramsOyster Worldwide
4.63
8
Kickstart your equine career with Paid Horse Work in Australia – the perfect opportunity for horse lovers aged 18 to 30 with a sense of adventure. Step straight into a guaranteed, pre-arranged paid groom role at a leading Australian stud farm, organised before you leave home. Begin your journey wit
See All 2 ProgramsPure Exploration
4.63
38
Based in Queenstown, this program combines skills acquisition with the opportunity to truly embrace an outdoor lifestyle. Over 12 weeks, you'll hike, rock climb, pack raft, camp, and explore the backcountry in the adventure capital of New Zealand. Our favorite handpicked locations will provide you
See All 4 Programs0
0
Our Au Pair Program in Australia provides au pairs with the opportunity to experience life in a dynamic and diverse country while living with a host family and providing live-in childcare. This cultural exchange program supports personal growth, professional development, and meaningful cross-cultura
United Planet
0
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Wanna see why people favor the natural playground of New Zealand? From its extreme mountains to coastal farmlands, it is an amazing island country with a lot of beautiful landscapes. Because it's so remote, it was one of the last places on earth settled by humans. New Zealanders describe it as a rel
A Guide to Gap Year in Australia and Oceania
Best Countries
Oceania comprises many countries, providing outstanding travel opportunities. From working in the Australian outback to helping to conserve marine reefs in Fiji, the possibilities are endless!
Australia. If you want to experience local life, work and travel programs are the way to go in Australia. Australia offers Working Holiday Visas that allow young people to travel and work in the country for one year. Here you will find a blend of spectacular beauty, thriving cultural life, and opportunities to engage in a variety of gap year experiences.
New Zealand. If adventures and nature are your cuppa, there is no better location than New Zealand for gap year programs in Australia and Oceania. From hiking to skiing, snowboarding to climbing, New Zealand is a paradise for adventure-seekers. Many gappers also choose to work in the tourist or hospitality industries—when they’re not flinging themselves off cliffs, that is.
Fiji. Who hasn’t dreamt of finding a new life on a remote island in the Pacific? Imagine a country with not one, but 300+ islands of white sand surrounded by sapphire waters...that’s Fiji. The capital of this remote archipelago is Suva, where you will enjoy its colonial architecture, tropical climate, and marriage of cultures.
Popular Activities
It will be easy to get caught up in the daydreaming and adventure of a gap year in Australia and Oceania, so don’t forget to choose what you’re actually going to do when you get there.
Working Holiday. Choosing to spend your gap year in Australia and Oceania on a working holiday is not only fun, it’s logical too. With this option, you can freely travel Australia or New Zealand, as well as the surrounding area, as it’s a year-long, multiple-entry visa.
Volunteering. While it won’t be particularly cheap to volunteer during Australia and Oceania gap years, it will absolutely be worth the monetary cost. There are a plethora of unique locations and worthy causes all around the region—just spin and point, and you’ll be on your way to a fulfilling gap year experience.
Au Pair. Life as an Au Pair during Australia and Oceania gap years will be similar to that of a working holiday, with the added benefit of guaranteed cultural immersion. You’ll spend your days taking care of children, and your nights getting to know a local family at the dinner table. We suggest avoiding this option if you don’t like kids.
Everything Else You Need to Know
Costs. Australia and Oceania gap years tend to be a teeny bit expensive. This elusive part of the world is on the pricey side, so make sure to fill up your savings account before you leave, or consider raising money for your trip with FundMyTravel.
Accommodations. Accommodations on gap year programs in Australia and Oceania will really depend on chosen activities. For working holidays, winding up in hostels is common, while au pairs often live with the family they work for. Many gappers also decide to rent flats with other travelers. It’s all up to you!
Visas. If you want to spend your gap year in New Zealand or Australia, we recommend the Working Holiday Visa no matter what your activities will be once you arrive. For other countries in the region, work with your program advisor to find out what the process entails. Check out the GoAbroad embassy directory for more information.
Safety. There’s no need to worry about health and wellbeing in Australia and Oceania, but that doesn’t mean you should leave your common sense at home. Stay vigilant while in areas that are unfamiliar to you and avoid traveling alone at night to easily stay out of trouble.
GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop
A gap year offers you the opportunity to satisfy your wanderlust and at the same acquire new personal and professional skills. If you want, you will also be able to explore different professional fields to help you make wiser decisions in college and adulthood. And of top of that, you’ll have a lot of fun and make friends around the world, possibly for life! Just make sure to push yourself and step out of your comfort zone as often as possible to really make the most of your gap year in Australia and Oceania.
Keep in mind that the seasons are flip-flopped (jandaled, perhaps?) in the Southern Hemisphere, home of Australia and Oceania. If you’re headed down under between May and September, make sure to bring warm clothes, especially if you’re headed to the South Island of New Zealand, or southern Australia. However, if your destination is closer to the equator, like Fiji or northern Australia, bring a lot of sunscreen and a hat instead, and stay hydrated! And don’t worry, the water is safe to drink in almost every corner of Australia and Oceania.
No matter how you plan it and organize it, a gap year in Australia and Oceania will change your life forever: You’ll gain invaluable, practical skills, but more importantly, a new sense of yourself.
Keep reading! Check out this article about the pros and cons of organized gap year programs abroad.
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