What is a gap year in Australia?
A gap year is a year off taken between finishing school and starting university or work. Many young Australians use it to travel, work, volunteer or save money before further study.
Gap years became popular in Australia in the late twentieth century. Some students defer their university offer, which universities usually allow, while others work full-time or part-time.
Popular gap year activities include working holidays in the United Kingdom, Europe or North America, volunteering overseas, travelling around Australia, or working in hospitality, retail and farm jobs.
Working holiday visas
Australia has working holiday agreements with many countries, letting young people from those countries work and travel in Australia, and young Australians do the same overseas. The United Kingdom and Canada are especially popular destinations.
Some students take a gap year to earn enough to qualify for Youth Allowance, a government payment that helps with study costs, under the independence rules.
Supporters say gap years build maturity and independence, while some worry students may lose momentum. Research suggests many gap year students return to study more motivated and clearer about their goals.
Did You Know?
Backpackers from overseas often take their own gap years in Australia, working on farms and in cafes.