Australia Gap Year

There’s so much more to Australia than spiders, snakes and sharks, (although the range of rare fauna and flora is truly fascinating).

Australia’s attractions are in fact countless; from the iconic sights of Uluru, (formerly Ayers Rock) and the Sydney opera house, to natural wonders of the world such as the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island.

Buzzing cities and plenty of sun, sea, sand and surf promise unforgettable, fun filled experiences and make Australia one of the most popular gap year and backpacking destinations in the world.

Australia Gap Year Ideas

Best Gap Year Programs in Australia

These are some of the most popular things to do Down Under:

• Working holidays
• Internships and work experience
• Overland tours
• Scuba diving
• Learning to surf

Gap Year Jobs in Australia

Here’s a round-up of popular jobs in Australia and how to find them…

Bar/Restaurant Work
Bar and restaurant work is pretty easy to find in Oz, particularly if you have some experience. If you don’t, it isn’t difficult to blag; you’ve drunk in plenty of bars, you know how it works.

Before you even think about getting a job serving alcohol you need a RSA certificate. This stands for Responsible Service of Alcohol and it’s something Australians are really strict on. It’s a one day course; you can either do it online or at one of the many centres around the main cities. You will basically be drilled about not serving alcohol to under 18’s or anyone who appears to be intoxicated.

When applying for bar work it’s best to actually go into the bar and hand in your CV and a copy of your RSA certificate to the manager. The manager will then have the chance to see that you’re smart, friendly and polite and they’re more likely to remember you when a vacancy arises.

If you want to serve coffee, you will need to do a barista course – Aussies are very fussy about their coffee and won’t accept a badly made brew.

Construction
Casual labouring on building sites is a great way to earn money for those who aren’t afraid of some hard work.

You will need a white card (formerly known as a green card) to go anywhere near a building site in Australia. This again is a one day course where you’ll learn about health and safety and the main hazards on a building site.

You can find construction jobs on sites such as Seek and on hostel notice boards. You can also approach other labourers and they‘ll often be happy to refer you to their manager and pass on your details. A good work ethic will go a long way in construction so show you are eager and willing to work hard.

Hostel Work
Working in a hostel is a brilliant option for many backpackers in Australia as you get the chance to socialise with other travellers and have loads of fun at the same time. Some people opt to work 2-3 hours a day in return for free accommodation but others work full time for a basic wage.

Duties will include cleaning and washing, working on reception and generally making sure all the guests are happy.

A great way to find hostel jobs is directly through the hostel or on Gumtree where plenty of jobs are advertised. Hotel managers will be looking for people who are friendly, sociable and hard working so make sure this comes across in your application.

Farm Work
Farm work is tough with notoriously low pay but it is the easiest way to get your 2nd year visa. You need to work in a rural location for three months to qualify for a 2nd year WHV. Check out the harvest trail guide to find out what crops need harvesting in certain areas. You can find jobs by directly contacting the farms or by using sites such as Seasonal Jobs in Australia. Another option is to try WWOOFing, where you’ll work on an organic farm in exchange for free bed and board, plus a small wage.

Office Work
The best way to find office work, such as administration or secretarial duties, is through agencies. If you are on a working holiday visa, it is unlikely that a company will employ you directly as they can legally only employ your for six months so sign up to as many agencies as you can. It won’t be long before the odd day of work soon turns into a three month contract.

Festival Work
Backpackers are often employed to work at festivals as it is casual work for just a few days at a time. You will usually end up doing bar work and you will get free entry into the top festivals in Australia. These jobs are usually advertised in hostels and you will need an RSA.

Door-to-Door Sales
If you’ve got the gift of the gab, sales can be a great way to earn some quick cash while you’re travelling. These jobs can be found everywhere and virtually anyone will be given a two week trial. You could be selling anything from electricity and solar panels or raising money for charity. If you aren’t keen on door-to-door sales, there are telesales jobs available but you will need some experience in sales or impress your interviewer.

Backpacking in Australia

All you need is a backpack and a sense of adventure to embark on an exhilarating trip through the land down under. Sleep under the stars or in hostels whilst you explore the stunning coastlines and unique cities or country towns. Befriend locals to find all the hidden gems and don’t be afraid to get lost!

These are some things not to miss.

Sydney: With one of the most spectacular harbours in the world Sydney offers famous sights such as the opera house and harbour bridge as well as some fantastic beaches at Bondai and Manly. Plenty of trendy bars and restaurants make it easy to enjoy the buzz of this exciting city.

Whitsunday islands and Great Barrier Reef: Consisting of 74 tropical islands the Whitsundays are characterised by pure white sands and calm crystal clear waters bordered by the unbelievable beauty of the Great barrier Reef. A boat trip in this breathtaking area will allow you to sample some of the most pristine islands as well as snorkel and dive in one of the world’s best locations. Not to be missed.

Uluru: Formerly known as Ayers Rock its name has been changed out of respect for the Aborigines for whom the rock has deep cultural significance. In the middle of the dramatic out back, this spectacular sight is truly worth the journey especially at sunset when it turns a deep shade of red.

The Great Ocean Road: Built as a memorial for those who died in the First World War, the Great Ocean Road consists of 160 miles of truly breath taking coastal scenery. Stretching between Torquay and Warrnambool notable sights include the 12 Apostles; 8 majestic and unusual rock formations carved by the sea and winds.

Fraser Island: Easily reached from coastal town Hervey Bay, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. Stunning freshwater lakes, white sands, ancient rainforest and giant dunes, (which are great for sand boarding) make a trip to Fraser Island a highlight for most tourists.

Scuba Diving
What could be better than diving down to the bottom of the sea bed and spending time checking out the colourful fish and marine creatures that live down there? If you have a PADI qualification and plenty of diving experience, you really need to get yourself over to Australia for a chance to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

It’s the world’s largest reef system and is absolutely teeming with life, from the smallest molluscs to the 40-ton humpback whales that periodically visit the reef to feed. With more than 1,500 types of fish, 350 different corals, 10,000 species of sponges and a whole host of turtles, dolphins, starfish and even sharks, divers will never get tired of the underwater sights on the Great Barrier Reef.

Several travel agencies offer Australia gap year trips and packages which are popular with students and graduates who are more adventurous. You can greatly save by choosing a combo package, for example a working holiday and tour in one package.

Australia Gap Year Travel Tips

Climate and Best Time to Visit:
Australia’s climate is warm all year, with stifling hot summers. Make sure you slap on the sun cream and watch out for the occasional down pour which can catch you off guard!

Currency:
Australian Dollar.

Language:
English

Health Conditions:
Scary exotic wildlife but heat exhaustion is most common.

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