Boarding House Assistant Gap Year in Australia

Are you a fan of white sandy beaches, lush rainforests and stunningly perfect sunny weather? Perhaps you’re a sports fan or enjoy bonding with mates over an outdoor BBQ. If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the above, then a gap year in the land down under is calling your name! 

Our Australian Gap Year Program offers you a taste of the Aussie lifestyle that a tourist could only ever dream of. Working as an assistant at a prominent Australian school, you’ll be completely immersed in every aspect of typical Australian life. From the stunning tropical coastline of Northern Queensland, to the rugged and impenetrable forests of Tasmania, we offer a wide variety of school placements throughout Australia!

Through the Letz Live program, you have the opportunity to get to know your fellow gappies through networking events prior to departure. Plus, at orientation, all gappies get together for vital training and placement information. You'll all get on the plane together and for some of you, you'll have Letz Live gappies placed at your school in Australia. Letz Live doesn't leave you there, we have dedicated Facebook groups to communicate with you throughout the year, plus our in-country staff make regular visits to ensure your placement is running smoothly!

What is a Gap Teaching / Boarding House Assistant and what are the daily tasks?

Each day could be different. You might help out in the classroom (not teaching the class - more assisting the teacher with activities, you might complete office duties for school staff and run errands around the school grounds. Each morning and night you will help the boarding students. This might include, helping with their homework, getting them ready for a school day, marking roles, ensure they tidy rooms and pack school bags. It's a lot of fun being part of the boarding culture. Play board games, watch movies and chat about your home country.

Important Stuff

DEPARTURE

Placements for our Australian Gap Year Program commence at the start of January and conclude in mid-December each year.

DURATION

Our Australian Gap Year Program is available as a 6 or 11 month commitment with either a January or July start. Please note, the majority of schools do prefer an 11-month commitment. If 6 months is your preference please advise.

REMUNERATION

In addition to complimentary food and accommodation, participants can expect to receive approximately $150 - $350 per week as an allowance throughout the school term.

Is it made for me?

Applicants for this must:

• Be aged between 18 and 25 years old at the time of their arrival into Australia
• Have a valid passport from their home country
• Have no serious pre-existing medical conditions
• Have no prior convictions, with the ability to provide evidence as required
• Have completed secondary schooling prior to arrival in Australia
• Be willing to undergo a medical examination as part of the visa application (if required by Australian Immigration authorities)

What can I do there?

You’ll never run out of things to do in Australia. There are six states for you to explore. Each one has hidden gems and unique adventures just waiting for you.

New South Wales is the oldest and most populous state in the Land Down Under. It’s home to Sydney’s idyllic beaches, the Blue Mountains’ magnificent wilderness and the Hunter Valley’s world-renowned vineyards.

Western Australia is the country’s largest and most contrasting state. The eastern side has a desert whereas the west features pristine coastline. Perth, the capital city, is famous for fresh seafood and uncrowded beaches.

Queensland is the second-largest state in the country. It’s home to the Great Barrier Reef as well as Fraser Island. It’s the perfect state for gappies who enjoy water sports and outdoor activities.

Victoria is the smallest mainland state, but don’t let its size fool you. It’s home to the cultural capital of the country, Melbourne, where you can explore the booming café scene and fashion-forward boutiques.

South Australia is known as the Festival State. You’ll definitely stay busy with the hundreds of festivals that occur every year. You can also explore the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island.

Tasmania is separated from mainland Australia. If you enjoy trekking in national parks and the wilderness, this state will definitely keep you busy.

What will I actually get?

The Australian Gap Year Program includes:

• Your placement as an assistant at a leading Australian school, carefully selected by our team (we visit our host placements annually to ensure their continued suitability to host our participants)
• A dedicated ‘Country Coordinator’ and 'Program Manager' who will be your key point of contact in the lead up to and throughout the full duration of your placement with us
• Ongoing and unlimited support from our HQ Australian based team
• In-country orientation course upon arrival, including 2 x nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast and welcome dinner
• Visa sponsorship (required to partake the program)
• Orientation on the Gold Coast, Australia. Participants will enjoy 2 days of networking & cementing friendships. This is where participants will complete their ‘Duty of Care’ course in conjunction with the Australian Boarding School Association as required by the Australian Boarding Standard
• The opportunity to see and explore Queensland's Gold Coast during orientation
• Local Australian mobile phone SIM card
• Discounted travel insurance policies and tour rates throughout Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific islands and throughout South East Asia
• 2 x complimentary international money transfers and instructions for establishing an Australian bank account
• Plus much more!

So, what's next?

To apply for this program, you’ll first be required to share a bit about yourself by completing an online application form and uploading your photo. Be sure to include as much detail as possible! This will help us to secure the right placement for you.

So, you’ve completed the form. What’s next? 

Once we receive your application, we’ll contact your three nominated referees and ask them to complete a confidential online evaluation form regarding your suitability for the Australian Gap Year Program. Once we’ve heard back from each of your referees, we’ll get in touch with you via email to arrange a time and date for your face-to-face interview.

Following your face-to-face interview, we hope to be in a position to discuss your application with the ideal school for you in Australia!