Pros and cons of a gap year in Australia

Dec 14, 2024
5 min read

Updated: Jul 22

As your teen approaches the end of school, they'll face a major decision: go straight to university or take a gap year? There’s no easy answer, as both options are good, and the right choice depends on your teen’s circumstances and personal ambitions. In recent years, an increasing number of students have chosen to take some time out after school to develop as individuals.

Taking a gap year can be a fantastic way to gain personal insight and valuable life skills, broaden horizons and try new things before starting university. If your teen is considering one, read on for advice to support them through this life-changing experience.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is a period between leaving school and starting university when young adults take a break from studying to travel and focus on personal growth. It doesn’t have to be a full 12 months; it can be shorter. Whatever its length, this break gives them time to reflect on their plans, build soft skills and soak up all the life experience they can.

Pros and cons of taking a gap year

A gap year is a great opportunity for young adults to learn about themselves and the world, but it isn't the right choice for everyone. It's important for parents to play a role in this decision, as it's a milestone in their lives too. If your teen is interested in a gap year but isn't sure it's right for them, here are a few pros and cons for you both to think about.

Pro: discovering themselves and the world

A year abroad is a perfect opportunity to gain life experience outside school and get to know themselves and their personal resources much better. Whether they travel, work or volunteer, they'll face unexpected challenges and have the chance to discover their passions.

Pro: better prepared for university

A gap year, especially if they travel abroad, will give your teen a better sense of who they are. They'll come back recharged, more mature and independent, with a better idea of what they want to do with their life and what their ambitions are.

Pro: better results at university

Parents are often concerned that a gap year might disrupt their child’s academic drive. However, research shows that when used constructively, gap years can help students gain skills that have a positive impact on their academic performance, since they develop maturity and open-mindedness.

In fact, gap year students have been shown to be more active on campus and to achieve better results. If your teenager already knows which course they want to study when they return, they can apply for a deferred entry. This gives you peace of mind, as they'll have a guaranteed place at university after their gap year.

Con: gap years are expensive

Gap years can be costly, especially if they involve overseas travel, so good organisation and thorough financial planning are essential. Encourage your teen to save up in advance and set a weekly budget. Travel essentials such as flights, insurance and visas should be booked well ahead. Once at their destination, it's usually possible to find a part-time job.

Con: fear of being left behind

Many teens fear being left behind by friends who go straight to university, to parties and into new relationships. While this fear is understandable, everybody’s path is different. Your teen will also move on, make new friends and have great experiences. It's only a temporary separation, and genuine friendships will remain.

Con: getting homesick

If your teenager does their gap year abroad, they may feel homesick at some point. That's understandable and normal, especially if it's their first time abroad. It helps to remember that homesickness isn't permanent, and there are things they can do to cope, such as calling home, eating familiar food or bringing something that reminds them of home. Another good tip is to remind them why they're there and how much they'll learn from the experience.

Australia, a great destination for a gap year

Exploring the world and discovering new cultures is one of the best experiences a young adult can have during a gap year, and Australia is a great destination. This vast country boasts stunning natural beauty, unique landscapes and vibrant cities. Culturally similar to the UK but warmer and more laid-back, the land down under attracts thousands of school leavers in search of adventure every year. There are also plenty of gap year options for those who spend time there. Some of the most popular are:

Working: Australia is well known among young people for its Working Holiday visa programme. People under 30 can work and travel the country for a year, which largely helps fund the trip and can even help save for university. The most popular jobs among holders of the Working Holiday visa are in hospitality, retail and agriculture, but it's also possible to work as an au pair or do an internship at an Australian company. The Working Holiday visa also allows them to study in the country for up to four months.
Volunteering: although Australia isn't the first place that comes to mind for volunteer programmes, the country offers many that let participants discover its great outdoors and wildlife. There's a huge range, from community development to working with indigenous communities and refugees, or working with animals and on nature preservation projects.
Travelling: whether combined with a work or volunteer programme or just for fun, a gap year in Australia is a great opportunity to explore this diverse country. There are endless places to see, from the Great Barrier Reef to the rust-red outback and cities like Sydney and Melbourne. If your teen isn't planning to work and mainly wants to travel, they can apply for an eVisitor visa instead of the Working Holiday visa. The eVisitor visa is cheaper and quicker to obtain, and it's the best option for travelling mainly for tourism.

Choosing the right gap year programme depends on your teenager's interests, budget, desired location and how long they want to spend in Australia. They should also consider whether they want to volunteer, work or just travel around the country. Finding something matching their interests shouldn't be difficult, as there's a wide choice of good programmes available.

Australia, a great destination for a gap year

Travel planning essentials

Once the decision is made to spend a gap year overseas, it's essential to make preparations well in advance. This saves money and avoids unpleasant last-minute surprises. To make your teenager's gap year a success, here's a list of essential things to do ahead of time:

do some in-depth research about their destination, including culture, public health system, local laws and banking
book a gap year programme with a trustworthy company, and make sure it's ATOL registered
once they've chosen their destination, book flights as early as possible for a better price
take out good travel insurance that provides financial cover for any eventuality
make sure your teen has all the vaccinations they need for their trip
ensure your teen has a valid passport throughout their stay
apply for the right visa in advance. Depending on their plans, your teenager may need one type of visa or another. The eVisitor visa for Australia, which can be applied for online, is a multiple-entry visa valid for 12 months. Although it's a tourist visa, it allows them to study in the country for up to three months and do voluntary work under certain conditions, but paid work isn't permitted. If your teenager intends to work to fund their stay, the best option is the Working Holiday visa.