Gap Year Information
There are many activities you can participate in during a gap year. These include
Whatever you choose to do, it is important to have a purpose and a plan for your gap year. Without this you could end up wasting a year of your life (e.g. alone in your bedroom playing computer games!).
If you just want a break from doing anything structured, think about the three months of holidays between finishing Year 12 and starting tertiary study the following year. This could be used to take the break you need.
Some students organise their gap year activities themselves. Others use the services of a gap year program organisation.
- Travelling
- Working overseas or in Australia
- Doing a traineeship or a short course
- Going on an overseas exchange
- Volunteering in Australia or overseas
- Doing work experience to gain an insight into the type of jobs you could consider in the future.
Whatever you choose to do, it is important to have a purpose and a plan for your gap year. Without this you could end up wasting a year of your life (e.g. alone in your bedroom playing computer games!).
If you just want a break from doing anything structured, think about the three months of holidays between finishing Year 12 and starting tertiary study the following year. This could be used to take the break you need.
Some students organise their gap year activities themselves. Others use the services of a gap year program organisation.
Gap Year Programme OrganisationsThe following is a selection of gap year organisations. You can do an Internet search for other organisations by using the search words ‘overseas exchange’ or ‘gap year’.
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Choosing a Gap Year ProgrammeAlways thoroughly investigate any gap year program you are considering. Get your parents involved in this process. Start your research early to avoid missing out. Some gap year programs have application due dates early in Year 12 for the following year. Ideally, you should begin your research in Year 11 by:
Who organises my travel plans and visas? What will the program expect of me when I return? |
Should I apply for tertiary courses if I am going on a gap year?
Whatever you choose to do during your gap year, you need to consider whether to apply for a tertiary course at the end of Year 12. If you do apply and gain a place, you can request a deferment for most courses at most institutions. This is a wise move as it keeps your options open.
In terms of tertiary courses, deferment means that you are first offered a place in a course by a tertiary institution. You then accept the offer but ask that your place in the course be reserved until one year later. The institution then guarantees that you can begin the course the following year.
Some institutions do not offer guaranteed deferment for all courses. Each university and college makes its own policy on granting guaranteed deferment. These policies can be found in the QTAC Guide, and on the QTAC website at http://www.qtac.edu.au/applications/apply-here/offers/deferment.
Whatever you choose to do during your gap year, you need to consider whether to apply for a tertiary course at the end of Year 12. If you do apply and gain a place, you can request a deferment for most courses at most institutions. This is a wise move as it keeps your options open.
In terms of tertiary courses, deferment means that you are first offered a place in a course by a tertiary institution. You then accept the offer but ask that your place in the course be reserved until one year later. The institution then guarantees that you can begin the course the following year.
Some institutions do not offer guaranteed deferment for all courses. Each university and college makes its own policy on granting guaranteed deferment. These policies can be found in the QTAC Guide, and on the QTAC website at http://www.qtac.edu.au/applications/apply-here/offers/deferment.
Information on this page provided by Options Career Information