Gap Years 3AW 693AM Radio Melbourne with Shane McInnes

By Sue Ellson

Topic: Gap Years

Date: 8 April 2026

Media Outlet: 3AW 693AM Melbourne https://www.3aw.com.au

Broadcaster / Interviewer: Shane McInnes

Producer: Lauren Haines

Time Stamp: 01:08:43 – 01:13:22

Duration Total: 00:04:43

Time of show: 16:38pm

Audio Recording:

Video Recording:

Transcript

Years ago, the gap here was a rite of passage. Did you take a gap year? What about your kids? 133693

For many you’d finish high school, travel around the world, maybe get a job in the UK working in a cafe or a pub, then come home.

Then you’d start university.

Now it seems this generation simply wants to finish high school, go straight into uni.

133693 I was talking with Lavinia Nixon earlier this afternoon, both of us agreed probably a regret not taking the gap year.

All the freedom in the world very quickly disappears.

133693 If you took a gap year, I’d love to hear from you.

Why did you do it?

What did you do and do you think kids today should be taking that gap year, especially that after they finish the stresses of year 12.

Joining me on the line now is career expert Sue Ellson.

Sue, good afternoon.

Hi, Shane.

Should we be taking a gap year?

Should kids be taking a gap year after year 12?

Well, it really depends on the individual person really and whether that’s what they have in mind. The average of the people who do take it is somewhere between 3 and 14% of people, and most of the people who apparently take that gap year break are from regional and remote areas coming into the big smoke of Australian cities.

But yeah, I would say it depends on the individual and where they see themselves going and I can understand why Gen Z want to go straight to uni and get it over and done with because then they travel through uni with that same age cohort and, and possibly some of their friends as well.

So one of the the great things and that is kind of advertised during that gap year is that you’ve gone through 18 years of schooling.

For many, they haven’t had that opportunity to have their eyes open about what is outside their own backyard, especially travelling overseas. Does it have benefits that you are more worldly when you come back and therefore study at uni, go into the workforce, that you have this more global perspective as opposed to just going straight into university?

Yeah, well, they definitely say that the people who do do it mostly do it to gain their own independence in that sense of identity and get additional cultural perspectives and so on.

But if you’re thinking about it in terms of going into work when you get back, employers will honestly value if you can sort of say, look, as a result of spending my time in whatever country I got these skills out of it and I can transfer them into the role. There is some data that suggests that some of the people who take a gap year find it harder to adjust back into the study cycle and may or may not complete their studies.

So, you know, there is that risk, I suppose.

But again, that’s where it really goes back to the individual.

And a lot of people do spend that time working and believe it or not, only about 20% of the funds come from Mum and Dad.

So yeah, people have to prepare for that, managing the, the finances as well.

What about an adult gap year?

Sue, I’ve, I’ve heard this happening a lot.

Yeah.

Where people in their, their, their career, you know, you build up long service leave, you go, you know what?

We’re gonna take the family overseas for a year.

We’ve got long service leave to cover us for six months, take six months.

Without pay, is that a risky manoeuvre when there might be other people trying to siphon in and and get that job that you’ve held for so long?

Or is it also an opportunity to to fresh up and go into the second phase of your work life if you like?

Yeah. Well, as I’ve dealt with a lot of people who’ve moved countries, I would say, if you can do it before your children become teenagers, it will be a lot less disruptive to your family than if you try and do that when they’re a bit older.

But also, we don’t have to take a whole year.

Why not take three months?

There’s plenty of people who take those long service leave breaks and do it in that time frame. But also like I take one day sabbaticals and I just hop on the train, go up to Bendigo, spend the day there and come back.

And even that makes it, you know, a huge difference. It’s just like a little reset for me.

And my career started six days after my last year 12 exam and I went into full time work and part time study.

So, you know, there’s plenty of different options that people can choose and you know, if you have these opportunities come up and you’re part of a family group, I would definitely suggest to you talk to all the members of the family and make sure that you’re all on board.

But yeah, you, we hear lots of Australians who do their lap of Australia and you know how much they’ve enjoyed it and then those children go on and do it for their kids and so on.

So yeah, I’m all up for it and not waiting until you’re, you know, our age before you start those those timeouts on on long extended trips.

Yeah.

Sue Ellson, career expert, appreciate your time this afternoon. 133693 Did you take a gap year?

Social Share

GAP YEARS // Did you take a gap year after secondary school or do you know someone who did? Was it worthwhile? Do you have any regrets? 🤔 In this interview with Shane McInnes on Nine‘s 3AW Radio Melbourne Drive Program today, we discussed:

✅ 3-14% of students taking a gap year
✅ more students from regional and remote areas taking a gap year
✅ explaining what you have learnt on the gap year to future employers
✅ having a gap year later in your career but before children are teenagers
✅ making sure you budget for it as usually only 20% of the cost is covered by Mum and Dad

Thanks to Producer Lauren Haines for the invitation to contribute!

➡️ What tips would you have for anyone considering a Gap Year?

https://omny.fm/shows/3aw-drive/3aw-drive-with-shane-mcinnes-8-april-2026-full-show

#gapyear #3aw #sueellson

Further information

Bridging the gap: who takes a gap year and why? – showed around 40% worked, 33% did study or training and 3% travelled
https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/publications/all-publications/bridging-the-gap-who-takes-a-gap-year-and-why

Factors affecting Higher Education Completions – Gap-years
https://www.education.gov.au/integrated-data-research/resources/gap-year

Thinking about a gap year? Here are some questions to ask yourself (and a note for anxious parents)
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2022/12/thinking-about-gap-year-here-are-some-questions-to-ask-yourself-and-a-note-for-anxious-parents

Should I take a gap year? – each university has their own rules in relation to deferring study
https://study.uq.edu.au/stories/should-i-take-gap-year

Australian Defence Force Gap Year for ages 17 – 24
https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/careers/gap-year

Bridging the gap: who takes a gap year and why?
https://researchnow-admin.flinders.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/58576607/ED533077.pdf

Gap years and working holidays
https://www.sydney.edu.au/careers/students/career-advice-and-development/gap-years-and-working-holidays.html

Gap Year Benefits, Pros & Cons: Is It Worth It? – started in the UK in the 1960’s
https://www.semesteratsea.org/gap-year-benefits-pros-cons-statistics