Gap Year Programs in Australia

With glittering harbors, world-famous beaches, and a buzzing downtown full of innovation, Sydney feels both relaxed and ambitious. In this semester-long program, you’ll discover Australia's 'Emerald City' through an internship placement, cultural immersion, and incredible friendships within your cohort. Intern 15–20 hours per week at a placement matched to your interests, whether in finance, technology, or the creative industries that drive Sydney’s economy. An optional 15-hour course helps you reflect on your experience and build career-ready skills, and optional U.S. college credit is available through online courses through ASU Online. Embark on a guided excursion to the majestic Blue Mountains National Park to hike through rain forests, marvel at the Three Sisters rock formation, and learn about Aboriginal history. Experience the thrill of live Australian sports, from rugby to Aussie rules football, surrounded by passionate fans in iconic stadiums like the SCG and Accor Stadium. You’ll return home with real-world work experience, global connections, and a clearer vision of your goals and direction.

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 medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

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 outcomes in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Living as part of a close-knit team on an ocean-going vessel, our students learn fundamental lessons beyond academics: teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. They receive academic credit from the University of South Florida, along with PADI scuba certifications and IYT sailing certifications. Our programs are designed to inspire students to realize that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters the most.

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 work experiences to those with a "can-do" attitude and a passion for tourism and hospitality. Jobs are available in areas like guest services, F&B, resort operations, kitchen, and more. Seasonal positions tend to start in April/May or September/October. If you can't stay a full season, we also have some excellent internship opportunities for those wanting to gain some meaningful experiences in a range of departments for a shorter period. The program is only open to those who have or are eligible to obtain a Working Holiday visa or have a work visa in Australia. Most of our participants are from the USA, UK, NZ, Europe, and Canada. Receive full support with visas, insurance, accommodation, transfers, bank accounts, tax numbers, and everything else you need for the perfect gap year. We also have similar programs in Canada and New Zealand!

Rooted Life Adventures’ Australia Gap Year is a transformative 10-week intentional community for young women and non-binary individuals (ages 18 - 24) seeking adventure, growth, and deep self-discovery. With 24/7 support from a therapeutic coach, you’ll learn how to start a business from a female entrepreneur, complete an internship at a pottery studio, and gather regularly in creative, intentional spaces to dream, plan, and design your future. This program is filled with yoga, wellness, and meaningful group discussions—all while living together in a supportive home with a community of women. You’ll surf, snorkel with marine life, work from your laptop by the beach, and embrace the sand, surf, and sun as you help yourself come into alignment. Through these experiences, you’ll have an intentional glow-up, learn to trust your intuition, and figure out exactly who you want to become—living your best bohemian life while forging your own path.

Australia is a huge draw to our U.S. clients. Sydney is one of the most sought-after cities in our catalog. With vast white sand beaches a ferry ride away from the city center, our interns find a nice city/beach balance. Digital marketing students are drawn to our placement with one of the premier international firms in the world. And those more inclined to work near the water have interned with top marine scientists. A recent student just signed on to assist the Manly Lifeguard Station forty minutes from downtown. We have likewise placed students Back of Bourke—the Aussie euphemism for the middle of nowhere. One of our students worked at an Aboriginal Radio Station near Darwin. Two of our Japanese students worked with an eco-tour company in Cairns. There is no shortage of options for finding your place under the sun. Many of our students go on a side trip to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkeling or diving. Those with terrestrial passions head to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves—a two-hour drive from Sydney.

Australia is a hefty trip! You wouldn't want to cover all that distance and miss out on the adventure of a lifetime, would you? Don’t worry! Global Work & Travel ensures your working holiday in Australia is smooth, seamless, and, most importantly, unforgettable! We will provide step-by-step guidance so you can arrive knowing that all those stressful essentials will be sorted out before you even leave your home country. Our local team will set you up with a paid job opportunity to start earning a local income, private airport transfer, and three nights of hostel accommodation when you first arrive for the ultimate jet lag recovery. Plus, an Australian bank and tax account, your new mobile number, and a range of awesome local Aussie experiences, such as a wildlife sanctuary visit and much more! We are here to support you every step of the way, assisting with your visa, flights, permanent accommodation, and so much more. Feel free to contact us for more details.

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. Students can study at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, one of the world's top 50 universities. With the full curriculum at UNSW available, you can be sure your classes will fit in with your degree plan and allow you to graduate on time at home! API students who study abroad in Sydney, Australia, will have the chance to study at Macquarie University! A large school of over 4,000 people, its campus is located 15 kilometers from the central business district of Sydney, making the school very accessible by public transportation. Students can go on excursions and enjoy adventures around the city, including snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and heading to the Blue Mountains to meet some of the natural wildlife of Australia!

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 communication skills while exploring how marketing strategies are developed and applied across diverse cultural and consumer scenarios. Choose from exciting destinations including Australia, Bali, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, USA, and Zanzibar. Whether you're focused on digital marketing, brand strategy, market research, or sales, we offer placements tailored to your goals. Programs run from 2 to 24 weeks and include a guaranteed internship, quality housing, airport pickup, orientation, and 24/7 in-country support. You can potentially earn up to 16 US academic credits through our School of Record or receive personalized support to earn credit through your home university. Take the first step toward a global career in business. Apply today and gain the experience to stand out in the world of Sales & Marketing.

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 Volunteers has provided safe, affordable and ethical volunteering and gap year projects. Join a program today for a life-changing experience.