Exciting Gap Year Opportunities for School Leavers in 2026

Leaving school is one of the biggest changes you will ever face. Change is scary and exciting.

 When you leave school you can go to uni or TAFE, or you can explore your world by taking a Gap Year. 

This post identifies Gap Year opportunities in:

• Agriculture

• Defence

• Volunteering overseas

• Studying overseas

• Working in the outback. 

AgCareerStart / Agriculture Gap Year Program

If you’re 17-25, this unique gap-year program provides you with a paid job, training and development, not to mention the opportunity to build your networks within the agriculture industry.

You can indicate which farm type you’d prefer and where in Australia you would ideally like to go. Find details HERE.

Summer School Harvest Jobs with CBH

Summer jobs with CBH are a tradition in the West Australian wheatbelt. Students work hard through the heat and dust to earn good money to travel, buy a car or fund their study. 

The pay is only $33/hour but there is a load of overtime, there is training, free accommodation and a range of roles. Check details HERE.

Vacation Swimming Instructor Jobs

If you are 17 you can be a qualified swimming instructor. Check the qualifications you need HERE.

Find details about Swimming Instructor jobs across Western Australia HERE. 

Harvest Trail

The horticulture industry relies on people to pick their fruit and veggies. If you take on this work you will probably meet backpackers who are traveling around Australia. 

Check the Backpacker Harvest Trail HERE.

Defence Force Gap Year

You can apply for a Defence Force Gap Year in the Airforce, Navy and Army.

There is a range of different job opportunities that you can apply for.

To be eligible to apply, you’ll need to be an Australian citizen aged between 18 and 24 on COMPLETION of military training. You’ll also need to have completed Year 12 (subject passes required vary by job) and have passed in Year 10 English and maths.

Applications for all roles are now open – and will close as positions are filled. Learn more HERE.

Army Reserves – part time defence jobs

If you want to do something different on a part time basis, you can apply to join the navy, army or air force reserves. There is a range of jobs you can do. 

Find out more HERE. 

Work Overseas with LetzLive

LetzLive has opened up its working holiday opportunities in the UK, Thailand, USA and New Zealand. 

Check out the programs provided by LetzLive.

Hospitality and Tourism Adventures in WA

Because of skills shortages, resorts and roadhouses are importing workers from the Pacific Islands… and everywhere else! 

Look for these jobs on sites like Seek or phone/email the local tourist bureau and ask where to find a job in the area.

If you are 18 you can earn more money serving alcohol than cleaning or serving in a cafe. You will need your Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate to be able to work serving alcohol.

Work on a Station

Can’t ride a motor bike or muster cattle? Maybe you can make scones or serve coffee. 

Many stations supplement their incomes through tourism.

If you can clean and make a bed, you can probably find a job supporting the station tourism industry. Look for jobs on sites like Seek.

Volunteer Opportunities for school leavers

Cahoots provides camps and programs for young people with disabilities. They are looking for Year 12 school leaver volunteers who are willing to support young people to engage with recreational activities.

Find out more HERE.

Volunteer Overseas with Projects Abroad

With projects based on the edge of the world’s best safari and close to Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s no wonder that Tanzania is one of our most popular destinations.

In Tanzania, you’ll help support Maasai communities. Consider the following options:

• Work with legal professionals to advocate for the rights of women and children

• Help set up a small business to improve the economic prospects of locals

• Provide human rights education and mentoring to women

• Intern in Medicine, Nursing, and allied health

• Support children through Teaching and Childcare projects

• Leave a lasting impact by building new classrooms

These projects are available to people of all ages, so get involved! For more insight, read Laura’s story of her experience volunteering in Tanzania.

Check out opportunities HERE.  

You can study overseas

If you would like to study overseas, you can check out your options at hotcoursesabroad.

Crimson is a company which links Australians to university courses in the UK and US. You can get the latest information HERE. 

Need Experience? Volunteer at Home

Once you leave school it is tricky getting work experience as employers aren’t insured to cover unpaid volunteers.

In Western Australia you can apply for volunteer work through Volunteering WA. People put in requests for volunteers to them and they place people and cover them through the Volunteering WA insurance.

The Volunteering WA people said that when you first start with them they are careful of the sort of work they let you do until you have proven yourself.

Youth Central provides trusted government advice on gap year opportunities 

Youth Central isn’t trying to sell you anything. They don’t want anything from you. They are just trying to help. 

Check out Youth Central. It’s a Victorian Government site that has clear, unbiased tips on taking a gap year.

How to Prepare for a Gap Year – Tips from Omio

Omio publishes a Gap Year Guide.

The guide contains detailed information on:

• The benefits of taking a gap year

• How to organize a gap year step by step (e.g., accommodation, transportation, entry requirements & travel restrictions)

• Itinerary suggestions and tips for travelling in Europe on a budget

• Volunteering in Europe (10 suggestions)

• How to successfully find and apply for an internship in Europe

You can find all the articles here: https://www.omio.com/travel/gap-year

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