09 Jun 2021

We know that a lot of you are negging out because overseas travel is off the cards, and fair enough! Why take a gap year if you can’t travel?..

But listen up ladies and gents, because we have an outdoor gap year experience right in your backyard.

Huh? Well, as a result of border closures caused by COVID-19, the horticulture industry is expected to experience significant labour shortages. And we all know how very important horticulture is for our daily lives. 

So! Our mates over at Growcom have partnered up with agriculture employers to launch a gap year opportunity that not only keeps Australia thrivin’, but also gives you an opportunity to travel, earn dosh, meet people, make mems and chuck your experience on your resume! 

Here is why this gap year needs to be on your radar.

Travel

Duh! You have the opportunity to be somewhere completely new. There are tonnes of different locations all throughout Queensland that you can choose from. 

Maybe you’d fancy working in Whitsunday, an area spanning from major regional farming districts to the coastline and some of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations (like the Great Barrier Reef!). Or maybe you’d prefer the vibrant Southern Downs Region, with some stunning wineries and mountain climbing in the Girraween National Park. 

Trust me, there are tonnes of other locations to pick from; Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton/Central Highlands just to name a few more. Exciting!

Earn dosh

It’s killing two birds with one stone, right? You’re travelling whilst you make dollarydoos. That dosh can go towards anything! More trips around QLD, $$$ for a new car or laptop. Maybe you wanna start saving to move out of home for uni the following year… The world is your oyster.

This also means that you don’t have to sell a kidney to afford to travel beforehand! You can ease your mind knowing that you’ll be making bank straight off the bat! 

As well as this, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the government of up to $6000 if you’re relocating! This relocation assistance will be available for you if you move and take up jobs in agriculture, to help with the costs of travel and accommodation when you relocate to take up an agricultural work opportunity. You can check it out here and see if you’re eligible.

Suss out a rewarding career

Not only is this an unreal gap year op, but it’s also an experience that’ll look incredible on your resume. No matter what path you pursue, this will show resilience to future employers. 

If you’re wanting to get your foot in the door in the horticulture industry, this is your perfect first step! Even if you’re unsure as to where your career direction is, this may tempt you to enter a rewarding career in horticulture.

Horticulture is known for being a diverse and wide career op. You don’t have to be stifled by the four walls of your office, rather getting to be outside and work (which is proven to be better for our mental health). You’d also have such a sense of purpose as horticulturists have a major impact on all of our lives, from what we eat through to the medicinal world. This experience may just plant a seed (no pun intended), to an epic career path.

Memories and mates

Of course, you travel to leap out of your comfort zone, take a geeze at new sights and stroll through different paths. 

But one of the most fulfilling things about travelling is the opportunity to meet new people. And trust me, you will meet tonnes of amazing faces.

Sounding like an adventure you’re up for? If you’re keen to plan your gap year of a lifetime you get can started here. All you’ll need to do is take a short quiz to get your free coupon code to then be able to complete your induction through the FarmReadyHub, from there you’ll be linked with all of the opportunities, completely taking the guess work out of planning your gap year.