Gap Year Program | YWAM Newcastle
You were made for this

Know God & Make God Known

What if what you suspected was true? That you were made for something else – for something more. Made to go, to grow, to create and discover. Made to leap into a story far bigger than your own. To run and keep running, to dive in, to love and return made new.

What if you followed that impulse? What would it be like to go beneath the surface of things and discover the greater reality? To discover God. To see where He takes you and who He makes you. To be stretched, challenged, changed and equipped to make a lasting difference in the world.

This is the YWAM journey. And wherever it takes you — into unchartered foreign territories or to the yearning mission fields of home — allow yourself to be transformed and learn to be enriched and emboldened as an ambassador of our loving Christ.

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You were made for this

What's Involved

  • Study

  • YWAM Newcastle is a vibrant, urban campus boasting of quality training and a thriving youth ministry. Join us in Australia for a Discipleship Training School (DTS)!

    The DTS combines face-to-face teaching and hands-on experience in a full-time discipleship community which equips students with practical skills for ministry. This holistic program covers the full range of ministry foundations — from biblical training and cross-cultural communication through to working in teams and personal leadership.

  • Travel

  • The journey begins in Newcastle, Australia.

    Newcastle is one of Australia’s fasting growing, highly sought after places to live. Home to one of the nation’s leading universities, it is a young person’s city; full of music and creativity with no end of cool cafes and cultural experiences.

    It boasts some of the best beaches, the perfect climate and is in the very heart of the Hunter Valley, a region famous for its sweeping vineyards and breathtaking bushlands. Newcastle sits in that sweet spot between rural community and bustling metropolitan, combing the best of both in an ideal location; both affordable and fun.

    Next, you’ll have the opportunity to travel both within Australia and internationally as you put into practice what you’ve learnt.

    The 10-week outreach phase will stretch and challenge you as you serve practically in the nations.

  • Experience

  • DTS is a rich spiritual experience where you will be inspired to pursue a deep relationship with God. We provide an environment in which you will learn how to personally apply biblical truths and be challenged as your character grows to reflect Christ more and more.

    Learn and grow as you study alongside students from all over the world. Taste other cultures as you travel internationally for the practical outreach component. From the highlands of Papua New Guinea to the streets of Europe, there is no telling where you might end up!

  • Cost & Dates

  • We run our DTS’s on a quarterly schedule with intakes of students every January, April, July and October. You are welcome to join us at your convenience however, please note that not all electives are run year-round.

    DTS costs vary depending on your chosen elective and are comprised of two fees to cover both the lecture phase and outreach. All costs include accommodation and food for the duration of your course as well as transport to your outreach location/s.

YWAM Newcastle is a vibrant, urban campus boasting of quality training and a thriving youth ministry. Join us in Australia for a Discipleship Training School (DTS)!

The DTS combines face-to-face teaching and hands-on experience in a full-time discipleship community which equips students with practical skills for ministry. This holistic program covers the full range of ministry foundations — from biblical training and cross-cultural communication through to working in teams and personal leadership.

The journey begins in Newcastle, Australia.

Newcastle is one of Australia’s fasting growing, highly sought after places to live. Home to one of the nation’s leading universities, it is a young person’s city; full of music and creativity with no end of cool cafes and cultural experiences.

It boasts some of the best beaches, the perfect climate and is in the very heart of the Hunter Valley, a region famous for its sweeping vineyards and breathtaking bushlands. Newcastle sits in that sweet spot between rural community and bustling metropolitan, combing the best of both in an ideal location; both affordable and fun.

Next, you’ll have the opportunity to travel both within Australia and internationally as you put into practice what you’ve learnt.

The 10-week outreach phase will stretch and challenge you as you serve practically in the nations.

DTS is a rich spiritual experience where you will be inspired to pursue a deep relationship with God. We provide an environment in which you will learn how to personally apply biblical truths and be challenged as your character grows to reflect Christ more and more.

Learn and grow as you study alongside students from all over the world. Taste other cultures as you travel internationally for the practical outreach component. From the highlands of Papua New Guinea to the streets of Europe, there is no telling where you might end up!

We run our DTS’s on a quarterly schedule with intakes of students every January, April, July and October. You are welcome to join us at your convenience however, please note that not all electives are run year-round.

DTS costs vary depending on your chosen elective and are comprised of two fees to cover both the lecture phase and outreach. All costs include accommodation and food for the duration of your course as well as transport to your outreach location/s.

“The things I learned during DTS were life-changing! I learned more about who God really is and His plan for the world than I ever thought I would. DTS was more than just a great 6-month experience, it set me up for life.” – Ethan L.

“I did a DTS because I wanted to find purpose and know God’s will for my life. Over the next 6 months, I realized that I’m not the main character in the story of my life, but I’m part of a greater story! God welcomed me into His family and I’ve been in missions since!” – Jordan P.

“Being part of YWAM has consistently pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but in doing so, pushed me into the comfort of my Father.” – Reilly D.

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You were made for this

FAQ's

Have further questions?

Get in touch with us now!
+61 2 4960 0777 or info@ywamnow.com

Where do your students come from?

Our students and staff come from all around the world, we are a multicultural campus and are always looking to meet friends from new nations.

What's the average age of your students?

Most of our students are aged between 18-30 but we often have people join us who are outside that age range. If you feel like joining us don’t hesitate to get in contact with our communications team.

Where do you go on outreach?

Each outreach is unique. Here are a few places we have been recently: Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Cambodia, The Philippines, Uganda, South Africa, Spain, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand.

Are there any prerequisites for your courses?

Successful completion of the Australian Year 10 Certificate (or equivalent) and a sufficient standard of oral and written English proficiency is needed in order to benefit from our training.

There are no prerequisites for DTS. However, we ask that you are over the age of 18 by the time you leave for outreach.

Can I come for only lecture phase or only outreach phase?

The DTS program is 6-months long and the lecture phase and outreach phase are designed to complement each other. We highly value the equipping and training of students, as well as giving them practical experience in missions. If you are considering this course it would be beneficial for you to find a time in your schedule where you can commit to full-time.

Do you offer scholarships?

YWAM Newcastle is a non-profit organisation and as such all of our staff and students rely upon the financial support of others in order to be here. Due to this, we are unable to offer scholarships.

Can I get Centrelink while doing DTS?

DTS is a Centrelink approved course. If you are an Australian you may be eligible for financial assistance from Centrelink. Information about Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY and other payments are available on their website. Please talk to our communication team for further assistance.

Can I get a job while on DTS?

The course schedule does not allow time for outside work. In addition to this, we want you to get the most out of your course and advise against anything that would distract you from being fully involved.

Where will I be living?

We provide accommodation for all students at our residence, Bulkirra House. Check out the “Life at YWAM Newcastle” page for details on our facilities.

What will my schedule be like?

We start our week on a Tuesday and end with our Youth Street Teams program on Saturday afternoon. For more info on a typical day and campus schedule please see the “Life at YWAM Newcastle” page.

What are work duties?

Work Duties are a chance for our students to interact with the wider YWAM Newcastle community. Students are allocated into teams to serve in our kitchen, hospitality department, media team, building team, cafe and more.

What are electives and what do they look like?

We like to say that electives add a bit of “flavour” to the DTS. They are a way of gathering together people that are passionate about similar things. Electives don’t limit you from getting involved in other areas you are passionate about around campus or in your own time.

Chat with your DTS staff about what this looks like for your school and how you can take initiative outside of class time to incorporate your elective into your DTS experience.

What can I do with my spare time?

Your weekends are your own and there is always something to do in Newcastle.

Catch some waves at the beach, visit one of the many local cafes nearby, see a movie at the cinema or visit the farmer’s markets. Sydney is only a two and a half-hour train ride away, which is ideal for a day trip to the city.

What can I do after DTS?

There are many opportunities post-DTS. We offer a number of further courses (second-level schools) right here in Newcastle, including the Bible Core Course (BCC) and the Art Evangelists School (AES). You could also continue your study with YWAM at any other YWAM location around the world.

Once you’ve completed DTS you are able to join staff with us here or another YWAM location around the world. Be part of our growing team in one of our many departments and ministries.

Our hope is that DTS would equip you to be a part of what you want to do next, no matter what it is, inspiring missional-minded people in all walks of life.

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