Why more Aussies are pressing pause on work and study

Key takeaways

• A gap year is not just for school leavers. It can also look like a shorter career break, working holiday, study pause, or skills reset
• Choosi’s Cost of Career Report 2024 found 74% of Aussies feel burnt out from study or work, and 32% said they felt burnt out before even entering the workforce
• Planning matters. Budget, timing, goals, and what comes after the break can make the difference between a meaningful reset and a stressful one
• A reset does not have to mean disappearing for 12 months. For some people, a shorter break or “half gap year” may do the trick

For years, the classic gap year was sold as a one-way ticket to Europe, a backpack, and a vague plan to “find yourself”. These days, the Aussie reset looks a bit different.

It might be a school leaver taking time out before uni. It might be someone in their 20s stepping back from burnout. Or it might be a worker deep in career mode wondering whether a proper pause could help them come back clearer, calmer, and a bit surer of what’s next.

According to the Choosi Cost of Career Report 2024, plenty of Aussies are feeling stretched by study, work and the pressure to keep pushing forward. Choosi reports that 74% feel burnt out from study or work, and 32% say they felt that way before even entering the workforce.

Why the Aussie reset is having a moment

Taking a break used to feel like a risky move. Now, for plenty of Australians, it feels like a practical one.

Work-life balance, flexibility and job satisfaction matter more than ever. At the same time, stress, pressure and uncertainty are making people question whether the usual path is really working for them. In the Choosi report, job satisfaction, working conditions, and flexibility rank among the most common factors people consider when thinking about changing jobs.

For some, a break offers breathing room. For others, it creates space to travel, work casually, build confidence, test a new direction, or simply recover from the pace they have been running at.

Read more: Burnt out before you've clocked in? You're not alone

What counts as a gap year or career break?

A gap year does not have to be exactly a year, and it is not only for 18-year-olds.

In real life, it can mean a few months away from full-time study or work to do something different. That might be travel, volunteering, paid work, a short course, a creative project, or just proper rest with some intention behind it.

Why people hit pause in the first place

Not everyone takes a break for the same reason, and that is kind of the point.

Some people are burnt out and need time to recover. Some want to travel while they can. Some are unsure what to study and do not want to rush into the wrong course. Others are weighing up rising expenses and rethinking what work, study and stability look like for them right now.

UNSW Sydney says it’s worth asking yourself a few key questions: are you too exhausted to head straight back into study, do you need time to work and save, and is there something specific you want to do with the break?

For adults, a career break may be less about escaping and more about resetting. Maybe the job looks fine on paper, but not in real life. Maybe priorities have shifted. Maybe you just need a bit of space to work out what “better” actually looks like.

Read more: How cost-of-living is impacting the career goals of Aussies

The upside of taking a break

When a gap year or career break is done with purpose, it can bring some very real benefits. For example:

It may create clarity

Stepping out of the usual routine may make it easier to work out what you want, rather than what you think you should want. That could mean testing an industry, taking on short-term work, trying a course, or simply having enough headspace to think properly.

It may ease pressure

If you are already running on empty, pushing through is not always the brave option. Sometimes some people choose to reset before burnout gets louder. The Choosi Cost of Career Report suggests that kind of pressure is widespread, especially among younger Australians.

It may build useful life experience

Work experience, budgeting, travel planning, volunteering and adapting to new environments all build skills. Even if your break does not look especially glamorous, it can still be personally and professionally valuable when you can clearly explain what you learned from it.

The trade-offs are real too

A reset can be great, but it is not magically consequence-free.

Money is usually the big one. Taking time out may mean reduced income, delayed study, travel costs, lost leave balances, or a slower return to full-time work. Even a shorter break can affect your budget more than you expect.

There is also the emotional side. Hitting pause may feel exciting one day and mildly terrifying the next. That is normal. A lot of the stress comes from uncertainty, which is exactly why planning matters.

Questions to ask before you press pause

Before you hand in your notice, defer your course, or book a one-way flight, it helps to get honest about a few things.

What am I hoping this break will do?

Do you want rest, travel, work experience, perspective, or a complete pivot? A vague “I just need out” feeling is understandable, but a clearer goal usually leads to a better experience.

Can I afford it?

This is the unglamorous bit, but it matters. Consider looking at your savings, debts, fixed expenses and what life will cost during your break. Think about emergency money too, plus what you will need when you come back.

Do I need a full year?

Maybe. Maybe not. A shorter break, a half-year, or a few structured months off might give you the reset you want without the same level of disruption.

What happens after?

Think about re-entry before you leave. If you are working, check your leave options and workplace policies. If you are studying, understand how deferral works and what it means for your timing. If you are changing direction completely, think about what you want the next chapter to look like.

How to make a career break feel safer

You do not need a perfect five-year plan. You just need a break that is realistic enough to support future-you as well as present-you.

A common approach is to think about your purpose, your budget, and what happens after the break.

Your purpose is your “why”. Your budget is what makes the break sustainable. Your return plan is what stops the whole thing feeling like a cliff dive.

That could mean:

• setting a savings target before you go
• planning a mix of work and travel
• locking in a course start date later in the year
• updating your resume with the skills or experience you want to gain
• keeping some money aside for the first few months after you return

None of that sounds especially romantic, but it can make the difference between a reset that feels freeing and one that feels financially messy.

Where Choosi fits in

A gap year or career break is not only about where you are going. It is also about what you are pressing pause on, and what still matters while life is in transition.

That might include your budget, your routine, and the financial products you want to review as your circumstances change.

If time away from work has you thinking more carefully about your finances, it may be worth learning more about income protection insurance and comparing available options with Choosi.

Frequently asked questions

Are gap years only for school leavers?

Not at all. While gap years are often linked to the time after high school, they may also look like a career break, a study pause, or a short reset later in life.

Is a gap year always a full 12 months?

No. A gap year can be shorter than a year. Some people take a few months, a half-year, or a structured break between study periods or jobs. It all depends on your personal circumstances.

What should I consider before taking a career break?

Consider starting with your goals, savings, timing and what happens when you come back. It also helps to think about current responsibilities, study or work commitments, and whether a short break could give you the same benefits.

Why are more Australians thinking about hitting pause?

Burnout, pressure and changing priorities are big reasons. Most people are looking for flexibility, better balance, and space to work out what they want next.

Can a gap year help if I do not know what I want to study?

Yes. A gap year may give you time to work, gain life experience, and think more clearly about what you want to study. For some people, that space can make the next step feel more informed and less rushed.

Do I need a lot of money to take a gap year?

Not necessarily. The overall cost can vary based on your plans, the length of your break, and whether you have any ongoing income.