Discipleship Training School – DTS

Where faith meets action. Where you come alive.

At its core, the YWAM DTS (11290NAT – Certificate III in Discipleship) is more than a course – it’s a launchpad. YWAM’s motto is: To Know God and to Make Him Known. For five and a half months you’ll live, learn, and serve in a vibrant community, stepping out of the ordinary and into a life of faith-filled adventure. Whether you’re unsure of your next step or hungry for something deeper, YWAM DTS gives you space to hear God’s voice, explore your purpose, and be part of something bigger – bringing hope to communities near and far.

Dates & cost What you’ll gain Electives Location Students FAQs

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This is your invitation

Grow in your faith

Spend 3 months diving into Scripture, learning how to hear God’s voice, and uncovering who you were created to be. Through worship, teaching, and mentoring, you’ll build a strong foundation in your relationship with Jesus.

Live the mission

For 9 weeks, you’ll go beyond the classroom – traveling by sea or land to remote regions in Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Pacific, and beyond. Hands-on outreach awaits, whether on board a medical ship, in youth ministry, through Bible engagement, or other adventurous ways.

Find your people

This journey isn’t solo. YWAM DTS is a community of fellow adventurers, compassionate doers, and emerging leaders. You’ll build lifelong friendships, receive one-on-one mentoring, and walk out your calling – together.

Dates & Cost

January

24 January – 25 June 2027
Electives:
Radio & Media
Global Health
Youth Ministries

April

Runs from our Port Moresby Campus (unaccredited). Click here for more info.

July

18 July – 17 December 2027
Electives:
Youth Ministries
Global Health

October

18 October 2026 – 19 March 2027
17 October 2027 – 17 March 2028
Electives:
Youth Ministries
Global Health

Questions about Electives?
$6,490 AUD* course fee, plus $1,000–$1,800 AUD outreach travel expenses

Training Phase (13 weeks)

  • All meals
  • Accommodation
  • Wi-Fi
  • Laundry facilities
  • Airport transfers
  • Access to campus spaces: library, lecture rooms, courtyard, café, gym & more
  • Wildlife experience: meet a koala + feed kangaroos

Outreach Phase (9 weeks)

  • All meals
  • Accommodation
  • Visa (if required)
  • Field supplies

*The course fee does not include your travel to/from Townsville, visa to come to Australia, health insurance, or immunisations.

What you’ll gain

  • A deeper connection with God and confidence in hearing His voice
  • Clarity around your purpose and gifts
  • Experience in real-world missions and ministry
  • A tribe of like-hearted friends from around the globe
  • The courage to live a missional life – wherever God calls you next

Watch a day in the life of a DTS student

This is more than a course – it’s a movement

Your DTS with YWAM is your invitation to step into a global story of transformation – and your part starts with an elective. Whether you’re drawn to serving on our medical ship, reaching young people, sharing truth through media, or ending bible poverty, your elective is where faith meets action. Each track is designed to give you purpose-filled impact from the ground up.

Global Health

Join the team bringing hope to remote villages in Papua New Guinea through our medical ship, dental trailer, and land-based outreach. After DTS, go further through our Global Health Gap Year.

Ask about Global Health

Youth Ministries

Step into high-energy outreach through school programs, adventure camps, and discipleship spaces like our ropes course and youth café. Can also be part of our Youth Ministry Gap Year.

Ask about Youth Ministries

Radio & Media

Capture and share stories that matter – broadcasting truth across the airwaves and online while shining a light on issues like Bible poverty and isolated communities in PNG. Can also be part of our Radio & Media Gap Year.

Ask about Radio & Media

Worship & Music

Use your love for music to build the Kingdom. This elective helps you develop as a worshipper – not just on stage, but in heart and lifestyle – bringing God’s presence to communities through music, prayer, and connection.

Ask about Worship & Music

Location – Townsville, Australia

We are located in the centre of beautiful Townsville. A tropical city near the Great Barrier Reef, cafés, and palm-lined beaches – this is your training home base. It’s more than a great place to live for a few months; it’s a hub for youth ministry, community outreach, and missional living.

Meet some of our students

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Frequently asked questions

The visa process is something we walk you through nearer the time if you are offered a place on your course. Please do not start your visa process before talking with one of our team members on the phone.

Budget for: flights to Townsville and back, immunisations, visa and insurance (extra to course costs), personal expenses like snacks and toiletries, and any extra medical expenses.

Once you’ve paid for your course, you need to budget for your flights to get to Townsville and back. You do not necessarily need a return ticket and can enter Australia without one. Some students like to travel after the course, but make sure you save enough to purchase a ticket home at the end of your course.

All overseas students on a visa must have health insurance – it’s a visa requirement. We walk you through getting the correct insurance once you’ve paid your deposit. Students from Australia or New Zealand won’t need a visa or this cover.

Many graduates return home to serve locally, pursue further study, or join other missions organisations. Others stay on with YWAM Townsville – including through our two-year staff internship program with further mentoring, hands-on experience, and vocational training.

Yes! We love having families in missions. Each spouse pays the full DTS fee, with discounted food and accommodation for children. Apply first and we’ll journey with you through the details.

You must be 18 years old to do a DTS. If you’re 17 when applying but turn 18 within the first few weeks, get in touch about it. Most DTS options suit up to 35 years of age – if you’re older, contact us anyway.

Yes! And it’s a 15 minute walk from the campus.

DTS is a full-time course which means you’re going to be pretty busy! You’ll have things on in the mornings, afternoons and most evenings, as well as school activities at the weekend. Your visa may have limited working conditions.

Yes of course, please go to our Contact Us page and either give us a call or an email, we would love to chat.

You were made for impact. This is where it begins!

Let your faith take you places. Let your life speak hope. Say yes to a journey that could change everything!

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