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High Koala-ty, Low Price: 6 Cheap Gap Year Programs in Australia

Last updated on May 29, 2024

There are quite a few options when deciding what to do with your life after graduating from high school or college (or even when taking time between jobs), but the best of all of your possible choices is an experience abroad. And we have just the perfect international gig for you: Australian gap year programs

Cheap gap year programs in Australia

Taking a year off to gain work and life experience is the perfect answer for all those burning, wanderlust dreams, but figuring out how to affordably dive into gap year programs in Australia can be a challenge. Between new gear, your visa, and that little thing called a trans-Pacific flight, it seems the costs of an Australian gap year can add up quick.

So, how can you do it? How can YOU go down unda without your bank account doing the same? Read on—we’re hooking you up with cheap gap year ideas, Australia-style!

Can I find FREE gap year programs in Australia?

When graduating from high school or college, what’s the ultimate dream? Taking a gap year and moving to Australia, obviously. After all, what’s not to love? Endless sunshine, multicultural cuisine, a thriving art scene, and plenty of opportunities for adventure! However, if you’re wondering if you can just jump on a plane to Australia and find a free gap year program in Australia, the answer is...probably not. 

Cheap gap year programs in Australia

This country ain’t cheap.

The reality is, free gap year programs aren’t very common. If you’d like to participate in gap year programs in Australia, graduates typically pay to participate on an all-inclusive gap year program that provides housing, cultural or adventure excursions, and volunteer, work, and other experiential education opportunities. These programs can last months or a full year. As a participant, you’re also given the gift of instant community, of great program guides and leaders, and for established forums to help you process and understand all that you are learning—and help connect it to your future choices, too. (College? Something else? It’s all game!). For the most benefit from this overall experience, we highly recommend formal considering gap year programs in Australia.

More adventurous graduates may simply choose to move to Australia without the support of a program-provider and find work on their own, but this route isn’t for the faint of heart! It is, however, the closest you can get to “free gap year programs in Australia” (assuming you don’t care about the visa and airfare and pending accommodations costs). Luckily, there are many jobs to be found in Oz, especially if you’re under the age of 30 and can qualify for a Working Holiday Visa (more on this later). So if you have some savings at-the-ready, you should be able to swing a few weeks without a paycheck.

Cheap gap year programs in Australia

Some of our favorite gap year ideas for Australia include working holidays or volunteering!

Although gap years in Australia can be a lot of fun and offer recent graduates incredible opportunities for personal and professional growth, you have to be ready to venture into the unknown, push yourself beyond your comfort zone, and live a life different from all of your fellow classmates. It’s challenging, but worth it! 

Our roundup of affordable Australian gap year programs

So, if you can’t find an endless list of free Australian gap year programs and opportunities, what about the next best thing? Here’s our roundup of affordable gap year programs in Australia that you can make work with some smart budgeting skills! 

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1. BUNAC’s Work Australia Essentials

Whether you’re taking a break before jumping into your freshman year of college or your first year in the real world post-grad, BUNAC’s one year gap year programs Australia opportunities are perfect for the budget traveler! As with many gap year programs, BUNAC helps its participants in finding employment and providing support throughout their year in Australia, which means that the program cost is low because you’ll be making up the difference with all those dolla dolla bills you’ll be earning!

For a grand total of $329, BUNAC will assist you in pre-departure planning, your Work Holiday Visa application, accommodation during your first three nights (before you find your own place to live), a full orientation, social events and excursions, help in finding a job to support yourself with while in Australia, and much more. 

  • Location: Sydney or Melbourne
  • Rough program cost: ~$300 USD (but don’t forget to factor in approximately $300 for visa fees and at least $600 for travel insurance)
  • More info: Read BUNAC program reviews here
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2. Carpe Diem Education South Pacific Gap Year

The cost of this program might seem somewhat high, but Carpe Diem includes so much in its 3+ month program that you’ll soon see why it’s really a bargain deal. This program is made for recent graduates with a passion for digging deep into the culture of another country and immersing themselves in local culture. Not only will you receive all pre-departure support before leaving for Australia, you’ll also be given every opportunity to jump in headfirst to your gap year experience with planned activities and excursions. 

From a full orientation upon arrival, to living at a homestay for two weeks in a small village in Fiji to complete community development projects, to learning about organic farming and Aboriginal and Maori culture, to kayaking and SCUBA diving the Great Barrier Reef… Carpe Diem has it all. This program also includes all food, accommodations, scheduled program activities, and international travel insurance for the duration of the program. What more could you ask for?!

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3. Greenheart Travel in Australia

Greenheart Travel is one of the most well-respected and cheap gap year programs for those interested in gap years in Australia. Another bonus? Greenheart Travel is committed to making sure you live the life of a local, explore Australia, and help you get international work experience for six months to a year...all without breaking the bank! 

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4. Australia Adventure with Gapforce

So you want a gap year but also the adventure of a lifetime? Never fear—Gapforce Australian gap force programs are here! Thrill-seekers will love surfing at Byron Bay, sailing along Australia’s east coast, snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, assisting in environmental conservation efforts, or 4x4 driving through Fraser Island. 

This program also includes orientation and the ability to add on an optional visa & work assistance package to extend your stay in Australia for a full year.

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5. Farm Work in Australia with Oyster International

One way to have a really cheap gap year in Australia? GET PAID while doing it! Sign up for Oyster International's varied work abroad programs to earn money while traveling around Australia. Living in gorgeous, beachy Noosa is the cherry on top of the international paycheck. What are you waiting for!?

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6. Live, Work and Travel in Australia with InterExchange

All you need to qualify for this gap year program is: U.S. citizenship, be between the ages of 18 and 30, and have support funds. Most programs (as well as visa applications) will require you to have a certain amount of savings in your bank account before arriving in Australia so that they have proof that you can take care of yourself, so this is every common! 

Otherwise, InterExchange offers varying level of orientation and support for different costs, as well as access to a job database, job search guidance from staff, social activities, an Australian phone service, and pre-departure and alumni support.

  • Location: Sydney or Melbourne for orientation
  • Rough program cost: ~$500 w/ 2 nights accommodation or $900 w/ 7 nights accommodation and Welcome Week
  • More info: Read InterExchange program reviews here

[Browse ALL Australia Gap Year Programs]

A few more cheap gap year ideas in Australia

Cheap gap year programs in Australia

While researching gap years in Australia, don’t lose hope! Just keep swimming ;)

Still not convinced? The good news is that thanks to Australia being one of the most popular countries for young professionals, students, and explorers, there are a lot of alternative options that will get you to the land down ‘undah! Here are a few more extra cheap gap year ideas in Australia to help you achieve your dreams of personal exploration post-grad:

  1. Buy all of your own groceries. Eating out in Australia is notoriously expensive, but you know what isn’t? Fresh produce from Woolworths! If you have the choice between a gap year with meals included or fending for yourself food-wise, your buck will go further with the latter.
  2. Volunteer abroad in Australia for a year! Programs such as Volunteer World give students the opportunity to work in marine and environmental conservation projects such as rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, coral reef protection, or data collection.
  3. Hang on the beach. It’s usually free—and absolutely stunning. Sometimes, National Parks, like Noosa’s, don’t require an entrance fee either. Who knew koala and sea turtle-spotting could be so fun?!
  4. Become an au pair. An alternative to only traveling and working in hospitality jobs (the most common temporary gigs) around Australia on your gap year is working as an au pair on programs such as InterExchange. Earning money while playing with kids all day in the Australian sunshine? Whatta dream!
  5. Consider interning. Do you want more from your time abroad than travel, koala cuddles, and international experience? Although we’re a big fan of all of those things, why not also consider an internship abroad in Australia? You’ll learn valuable skills and have more to talk about on your resume when applying to other jobs or universities.
  6. Don’t go wild on the souvenirs. Buy yourself something nice to commemorate your Australian gap year, but skip the tchotchkes and silly trinkets. There’s no real need to buy every. single. one. of your friends their own gift, either. Sorry, Becky!
  7. Why not teach English? Fun fact: Australia is an incredibly diverse, multicultural country with citizens and immigrants from all over the world. Many of them come to Australia looking for the same thing as you—more opportunities, a change of scenery. However, many people still need to learn English before they can really succeed in the Australian workforce. That’s where you come in! If you’re looking for an alternative option for your gap year in Australia, why not teach English abroad? You’ll make money, gain incredible life experiences, and give back to communities in need of language-learning!
  8. Apply for a Working Holiday Visa and build a career out of your time abroad! Although you can only hold a job for six months at a time on this Working Holiday Visa, you can work any kind of job you can secure. This means you can gain valuable work experience not just in hospitality gigs, but also at companies or organizations that can set you on your way to a future career!

YOU’RE going down under, but luckily, your bank account isn’t!

Moving to another country obviously costs a good chunk of cash—beyond just the program fees, you also have to budget for visa fees, the flight, accommodation, and miscellaneous spending money. But never fear! Aside from some old-school saving-up, you can also check out these helpful tips on How to Cover Your Gap Year Abroad, courtesy of GoAbroad! Even on a budget, you’ll still have a life-changing experience on your gap year in Australia, expanding your worldview and getting your first taste of freedom abroad. 

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Originally published on July 23, 2018

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