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The Ultimate Gap-Year Alternative!

Complete your studies in the scenic Whitsunday Islands. Sounds good to me!

With flexible online study and support options, complete the Diploma of Travel and Tourism whilst living out your dreams in paradise.

Work, Study + Play Whitsundays program highlights include:

Study a university-accredited Diploma of Travel and Tourism facilitated by industry experts + a dedicated Program Leader.

Study a university-accredited Diploma of Travel and Tourism facilitated by industry experts + a dedicated Program Leader.

Work in paradise with the ultimate job setup in the Whitsundays and on the ground support.

Work in paradise with the ultimate job setup in the Whitsundays and on the ground support.

It's an opportunity of a lifetime!  Work, study and play with other students in paradise including exclusive events, parties and more.

It's an opportunity of a lifetime! Work, study and play with other students in paradise including exclusive events, parties and more.

Benefits of Studying With Us

As part of Flight Centre, we are industry experts and studying with us and our education partner Torrens University Australia means you will have access to:

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Launch your career

Our job pathways give you the ultimate start to your travel industry career!
Launch your career
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Study with experts

Our Diploma of Travel and Tourism is university-accredited and delivered by industry experts.
Study with experts
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Fun & adventure

The travel industry is fun. Get your adventure started with exclusive events, parties, travel opportunities and more!
Fun & adventure
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Exclusive inside industry access

Flight Centre Travel Group is your key to exclusive industry access, inside knowledge and connections.
Exclusive inside industry access
Apply Today

The Program

Combined with our Diploma of Travel and Tourism, this program offers you exclusive adventures with luxury resort destinations, and support with travel benefits, eco-tourism experiences, and create your journey with old and new mates! 

Work with the best

Discover the extensive network of employer partners we have that you could be working for throughout your adventure, either on island or at Airlie Beach:

  • Hamilton Island Resort
  • Daydream Island Resort
  • Coral Sea Marina Resort
  • Mantra Club Croc
  • Cruise Whitsundays
  • Club Wyndham
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Study with experts

Facilitated by Flight Centre experts, this Diploma has been designed to provide graduates with academic and real-world knowledge of the travel and tourism industry. The Diploma also focuses on providing students with skills suitable for employment.

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Play like there's no rules

This program provides you with a variety of action-packed travel benefits, sustainability activities and the eco-tourism experiences of a lifetime. 

  • Red Cat Adventures day tours and activities, such as the iconic Thundercat Boat Adventure
  • Turtle Releasing 
  • Eco-tourism day tours with Eco-Barge
  • Welcome and Graduation Celebrations
  • Coral Spawning 

These travel, sustainability and eco-tourism experiences are available to you through this exclusive Flight Centre Travel Academy program, in collaboration with our employer and industry partners.

hamilton island jobs

Whitsundays Program Specific Benefits

If waking up in the scenic Whitsunday Islands isn't already remarkable enough, discover why this adventure is truly like no other.

Confidence & Independence

Confidence & Independence

Real World Skills

Real World Skills

Dedicated Program Leader

Dedicated Program Leader

Exclusive Play Activities

Exclusive Play Activities

Live In Paradise!

Live In Paradise!
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Now is the Time

Launch Your Career In Paradise

Chat to us today to find out everything you need to know about Work, Study + Play Whitsundays!
discover more

Enquire today

Learn more about our pathways

Enquire today
live your dream

Apply today

Live the dream

Apply today

Our Partners

Work, Study + Play Whitsundays could not be the lifechanging program that it is without the ongoing support and participation of our amazing employer and supplier partners. 

Shiift Pty Ltd

Shiift Pty Ltd

Your on-ground support network

Shiift Pty Ltd
whitsundays tours and adventures

Red Cat Adventures

Create your ultimate play adventure

Red Cat Adventures
hamilton island jobs

Hamilton Island Resort

Where you could be working

Hamilton Island Resort
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Coral Sea Marina Resort

Located right in the heart of Airlie

Coral Sea Marina Resort
daydream island jobs

Daydream Island Resort

Daydreaming of paradise?

Daydream Island Resort
mantra jobs

Mantra Club Croc

Be a part of the renowned Mantra brand

Mantra Club Croc
cruise whitsundays

Cruise Whitsundays

Set sail in the heart of the Whitsundays

Cruise Whitsundays
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Club Wyndham

Work overlooking the Whitsunday Passage

Club Wyndham

Program Timeline

Work, Study + Play Whitsundays is a 13-month program that allows you to live your dream in the scenic Whitsundays whilst completing your university-accredited Diploma of Travel and Tourism. 

Start Your Studies

Begin Semester One of the Diploma of Travel and Tourism at home, studying full-time. 

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Sneak Peek Trip

The Sneak Peak Trip is offered to students as an opportunity to conduct your interviews in person, meet their peers and our employer partners and discover the background you will be living in. 

whitsundays sneak peek trip-1

Let's Get The Adventure Started

The Welcome Part & Induction Day is held for each round of Work, Study + Play Whitsundays movers. This is the perfect way to launch the exciting adventure you have ahead of you. 

whitsundays welcome party

Study Part-Time

After finishing Semester One, begin Semester Two part-time. This way you can maintain a work-life balance once you move to the Whitsundays. 

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Travel Experiences

With help from our partners such as Red Cat Adventures, experience a variety of tours, daytrips and adventures throughout the Program. These will be communicated to you well in advance from the Program Leader. 

whitsundays travel experiences

Eco-Tourism Experiences 

Alongside the exclusive travel experiences available to you, there will also be a range of activities focussing on eco-tourism experiences in the Whitsundays. Play your part throughout your adventure.

reef restoration

Graduation getaway and celebration

What's graduation without a celebration, right? We'll host you and your peers for a two-night graduation getaway like no other! All set to the backdrop of the picturesque Whitsunday Islands. 

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Graduation Ceremony!

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Student Success Stories

Here first hand from students on the Work, Study + Play Whitsundays Program! 

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Emma-Hollywood

Emma's Story

Learning from the best in the travel industry.

Faerus Story

Faerus' Story

Studying travel as a young mom.

Jacqueline Bainbridge

"It’s such an amazing opportunity to get a foot in the door at a large hotel while training - and I know our experienced team members have loved sharing their know-how and enthusiasm for guest experience and the tourism industry."

Claire Higham

"We always find the students professional and excited to be living and working in the Whitsundays / Daydream Islands. They make the most out of this opportunity to grow in their careers with a few of our previous students stepping into team leader roles while continuing to learn new skills in hospitality."

hamilton island jobs parents

Need something to show the parents?

Download our Whitsundays Guardian Guide!

Course Structure

The content and systems students are trained on, are always current and in-line with the ever-changing industry. When you study with us, you are studying with the best.

  • Succeeding In Business

This subject introduces you to business studies and professional practice, focussing on your individual development and the travel and tourism industry. Including key performance indicators and performance reviews, this subject will help you develop the skills needed to succeed in your studies and future professional practice.

  • Travel Trends & Insights 

From the rapid growth of tourism in modern times, you will learn about the development and expanse of the travel and tourism industry today and into the future. From travel products to destinations, current trends and emerging traveller demands, this subject will open your eye to the travel world of tomorrow.

  • Introduction To Marketing & Branding  

This subject provides you with a general understanding of marketing and branding concepts, theories and models as they apply to the travel and tourism industry. You will consider the importance of consumer behaviour, product development, segmentation, targeting and positioning to achieve organisational objectives. 

  • Successful Sales Techniques 

The secret to success in the travel industry is having expert sales techniques and being confident when interacting with a customer. We will take you step by step through a seven-step sales process, which also happens to be very transferable to other sales roles in many industries. 

  • Understanding People & Organisations 

You will learn about yourself, your emotional intelligence and workplace motivations. You’ll cover travel and tourism organisations within this constantly changing environment and the many factors that can influence their performance. In this subject, you will hear from industry leaders and graduates about their career journeys. 

  • Travel Systems Essentials 

In this subject, you will be exposed to contemporary technological trends implemented in the travel industry. You will learn about digital innovations, transformations and disruptors that have occurred within the travel and tourism industry. You will be introduced to online reservation systems widely used by the travel and tourism industry. 

  • Sustainable Tourism 

This subject introduces you to sustainable tourism concepts: environmental, social and economic. You will analyse how sustainable tourism concepts influence decision-making at an organisational and individual level, and the impacts on the industry as a whole. Industry case studies include the Intrepid Group and Flight Centre Travel Group's Responsible Travel. 

  • Industry Focus 

This subject provides students with professional experience in an area related to the career they are working towards. Students will learn to perform more effectively in the workplace in a team environment, strengthening specific skills such as time management, communication, and problem-solving, while drawing on the knowledge gained so far.

Download the Course Guide

Work, Study + Play Whitsundays FAQ

If we haven't answered your question below, please don't hesitate to reach out for a chat!

 

When do I start working?

Your work start-date will vary based on your intake date. However, all students move up to the Whitsundays once they have completed Semester One of the Diploma of Travel and Tourism. 

Will uniforms be provided?

They sure are!

What accommodation is there?

This one is a two-part answer.

Hamilton Island: You will live in staff accommodation "The Staff Village", which will be in single rooms and have shared common spaces. Rooms range from $100-$150 per week.

Airlie Beach: We do have some accommodation available for $220/week at Kipara Tropical Rainforest Retreat. This is a single room with a private bathroom. However, some students may be required to source their own accommodation. Our tip is to check-out the local Facebook Buy/Sell/Swap Pages which have rooms for rent at affordable prices.

Airlie Beach And Whitsunday Real Estate Sales, Rental and Accommodation

Accommodation Airlie Beach - Units and Rooms to Rent

Whitsundays Buy/Sell/Swap Chat

 

How much does the Diploma cost?
We partner with Torrens University Australia and the cost for this tertiary Diploma is $2,350 per subject, or $18,800 in total for 8 subjects.

If you are an Australian citizen, then you are eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to pay all or part of your tuition fees. 
 
Please note that there is a lifetime cap on FEE-HELP debt, so know your balance before you apply. Visit the Loan Repayment page to check your balance.  
How much do the Play activities cost?

The travel and sustainability/eco-tourism activities are either discounted for our program goers or free.

What does Orientation look like?

Your orientation for this program will involve a pre-start call with the Flight Centre Travel Academy recruitment team which will outline how to begin and get ready for your adventure in The Whitsundays. There will also be one on one and group orientation calls from the Flight Centre Travel Academy engagement team to set you up for success.

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