Abiathar is serving in the marine engineering department on the HMAS Ballarat, which recently joined the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, the Indian Navy and the United States Navy on an Indo-Pacific training exercise called Exercise Malabar 2020.

On board are touches of home - photographs and paintings of Ballarat and the main passageway of the ship is named Sturt Street.

"However it's the culture of the crew that is the most welcoming and friendly and helps it feel more like home," she said.

It was midway through year 12 when Abiathar heard about the ADF Gap Year program and decided to apply.

"I was midway through Year 12 and not quite sure what I wanted to do, and I didn't know if I was ready to go straight into university. I was always interested in the Australian Defence Force but never seriously considered joining.

"When I heard about the ADF Gap Year program, I thought that it would be an amazing experience to understand navy life, to meet new people from all over the nation and to travel the country."

On her gap year Abiathar spent five months completing officer training in Jervis Bay, was posted to Western Australia where she completed work experience on different navy vessels including HMAS Toowoomba, Warramunga and Ballarat, and has lived on Sydney Harbour's Garden Island with its Tammar wallaby colony.

The taste of navy life has inspired Abiathar to set her sights on becoming a marine engineering officer and next year will start at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra where she will study engineering.

"Before this year, I was not sure what the navy did or what it was about. This year has shown me that the navy is focused on building people in a unique environment."

One of the highlights has been meeting a diverse group of people.

"I have learned so much this year. I have loved having the opportunity to meet people from all over the nation, from all different walks of life and backgrounds while working together and pushing each other to be our best," she said.

There's no typical routine on board a navy ship.

Abiathar has been working in the marine engineering department where the focus is on keeping all the systems running to support the overall objective of the ship.

"Back at home I had never really got on the tools or had practical, 'hands-on' engineering experience. On Ballarat the department has taken me under its wing and given me the chance to give all these new skills a go."

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Exercise and fitness is a big part for everyone on the ship, so there are lots of fitness classes, and during downtime the crew fill in time playing games and watching movies.

The initial five month officer's course with Royal Australian Navy pushed Abiathar out of her comfort zone.

"This was an amazing experience that came with many challenges, such as moving away from home, having a high-tempo work environment (which enabled me to develop), building confidence and learning to lead a team."