discipleship training school
what is DTS?
Our Discipleship Training School (10802NAT – Certificate III in DIscipleship) gives you the opportunity to set aside five and a half months of your life to grow closer to God while giving you the opportunity to put your faith into action. After 13 weeks of training and discipleship at our campus in Townsville, Australia, we take you on nine weeks of outreach where you will have the opportunity to be a part of strengthening lives, communities, and nations.
Encounter God
The DTS is a journey of the heart! It’s a great opportunity to get away from the noise and distractions of life and set aside time to consider your calling; to find peace and purpose, to explore what you believe in a healthy environment, to be restored and engage with God’s heart for you and the world around you.
Change Lives
Our outreaches and training programs are designed to mobilise and equip you to be a part of transforming lives and strengthening communities while utilising your unique set of skills and passion.
Travel
There is something about getting out of your usual environment that changes your perspective. During DTS you will travel to new places and experience new cultures. You will also be serving alongside other YWAM volunteers from around the world.
Enquire About A DTS today
We’ll get back to you within 48 hours.
What will you learn
The DTS includes 13 weeks of transformational teaching that is delivered in a way that is dynamic and practical. A different topic is covered every week, delivered by a variety of experienced speakers, giving you the opportunity to dive deeper in your faith. Topics may include hearing God’s voice, identity, missions, relationships, bible study, nature and character of God, and more.
You will also be placed in a small group to help you further unpack your training with others on a weekly basis. Further to this, you will be matched with a mentor who will catch up with you regularly to check in on your faith journey.
To help you further apply and process what you are learning, you will also be required to complete homework and assessments.
This is so much more than just a course – you will have the opportunity to connect with God and others in a very real and personal way.
Develop teamwork skills
Make friends from all over the world
Dynamic & practical teaching
Mentoring
Watch a day in the life of a DTS student
Where will you live?
Contact us for more information
Townsville is located in tropical North Queensland near the top of Australia. Right off our coast is the Great Barrier Reef and Magnetic Island (home to the biggest Koala colony in Australia!)
Our campus is located in Townsville’s city centre, close to the beach, cafes, and shops. Our campus includes multiple classrooms, wireless internet access, café, chapel, commercial kitchen, and a beautiful courtyard right in the centre of it all where you can enjoy our tropical setting.
Where will you go on outreach?
Australia & Papua New Guinea
We believe that every human being is designed to live a full and abundant life. Our vision is to see each area of society thriving in communities throughout Papua New Guinea and Australia. Your DTS outreach will be so much more than just a great experience, you will be contributing toward lasting change in Australia, Papua New Guinea and beyond.
Working in team
Once you start the outreach portion of your DTS, you’ll be placed in a team with 8 to 12 other people, including your outreach leaders. You will participate in 9 weeks of outreach with your team. This is a special time of bonding and creating memories together as you serve in your outreach locations.
Dates & Costs
october
Media & Radio – 2024 Only
13 October, 2024 – 14 March, 2025
19 October, 2025 – 20 March 2026
Cost
$6,490AUD* course fee
$1000 – $1800AUD outreach travel expenses
Your course fee includes 13 weeks of missions training and 9 weeks of outreach. The training includes all of your meals, accommodation, wifi, laundry facilities, airport transfers, an Australian wildlife experience (meet a koala and feed kangaroos!) and use of our campus facilities including library, computers, lecture rooms, chapel, courtyard and cafe – right in the heart of the city, close to the beach, restaurants and shops. Your outreach includes all of your meals, accommodation, outreach shirt, visa (if required) and field supplies.
Your outreach travel expenses will cover variable costs such as flights, ferries, busses, etc.
*Does not include travel costs to and from Townsville, student visa, health insurance and immunisations.
Meet someone who has done a DTS
Course Details
Scholarships
YWAM Townsville offers scholarships to eligible students. Generally, scholarships are given to students from developing nations who wouldn’t be able to access this training without the assistance.
Scholarships will only cover a portion of the course fees. Our team offers fundraising ideas and will join you in prayer as you raise support.
We can send you a scholarship application form on request. Once the form is completed and returned to us, we will review it and prayerfully make a decision.
Occasionally YWAM Townsville offers promotions or discounts, which are publicised on our website and/or social media. A student will not be given a scholarship and a promotion for the same course.
Accreditation
10802NAT Certificate III in Discipleship Units (Non-Current – in transition period)
DSPREL001 – Develop relationship with God
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to successfully respond to the truth that God makes Himself known to all people and to God’s grace in initiating relationship. It requires the ability to gain life-changing understanding of who God is and how He communicates through the Bible, prayer, and worship in order to adjust beliefs and behaviours.
DSPDCC002 – Develop Christian character
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to make responsible decisions that bring joy to God and glorify Him in response to God’s holiness, lordship and love. It requires the ability to live in right relationship with God and others. It also requires the ability to recognise Jesus’ authority and respond in surrender and dependence in all areas of life.
DSPYWM003 – Contribute to a Youth With A Mission community
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to successfully contribute to an international, apostolic missions community of Youth With A Mission. It requires the ability to understand Youth With A Mission’s purpose, beliefs and values to make a positive contribution to the community. It also requires the ability to live in right relationship with God, authorities and others.
DSPSPA004 – Practice spiritual authority
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to exercise the authority every believer has to make a significant contribution for spiritual breakthrough. It requires the ability to walk in spiritual authority through intercession, worship and strategic prayer. It also requires the ability to recognise the activity and influence of Satan and the authority given to every believer through Jesus Christ.
DSPEVA005 – Contribute to evangelism
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to successfully proclaim the truth that God pursues the lost and desires all to be saved through Jesus Christ. It requires the ability to communicate God’s truth in a way that demonstrates His character. It also requires the ability to show God’s love through acts of compassion.
DSPPCM006 – Participate in a Christian missions outreach team
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to make a meaningful contribution towards the completion of the Great Commission through serving in a Christian missions team. It requires the ability to engage in the preparation of and participation in team activities in a variety of settings. It also requires the ability to adjust to another culture and review outreach activities.
Prerequisites
Applicants need to have graduated High School or equivalent and have a sense of call to Christian Missions.
International Students
When overseas students apply, proficiency in English will be specifically assessed. Offers of placement in a course will include any applicable requirements for English language proficiency. Copies of documents, or telephone interviews will be used to verify information provided by students on language proficiency. Bridging courses will be recommended where these are deemed necessary.
International students on student visas are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress and attendance to meet the requirements of the student visa.
YWAM Townsville is bound by the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations regulates the education and training sector’s involvement with overseas students studying in Australia on student visas. It does this through the Education Services for Overseas Students legislative framework. This protects Australia’s reputation for delivering quality education services and the interests of overseas students, by setting minimum standards and providing tuition and financial assurance.
The legislation mandates a nationally consistent approach to registering education providers so that the quality of the tuition, and care of students, remains high. The professionalism and integrity of the industry is further strengthened by the ESOS legislation’s interface with immigration law. This imposes visa related reporting requirements on both students and providers. A simple explanation of the framework is the ESOS Student Fact Sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Which visa do I apply for?
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.
Are there any extra fees I need to be aware of?
You need to budget the following:
- Flights to get to Townsville and back
- Immunisations
- Visa and Insurance are extra to course costs (please note that any other visa onshore may include extra fees)
- Personal expenses like snacks, toiletries, mosquito repellant
- Extra medical expenses
Do I need a return plane ticket?
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.
Do I need Health Insurance?
All overseas students on a Student Visa must have health insurance, it is a requirement for your visa. You can only be covered by Medibank Overseas Student Health Cover on your Student Visa which we will purchase on your behalf once you have paid your deposit. The only exceptions to this are students from Norway, Belgium and some Swedish students. Please see the National Department of Health website for more details. If you are from Australia or New Zealand you will not be on a visa and will not need to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover.
What happens after DTS?
DTS is an incredible time of transformation where you will have opportunity to process many things about your life. After the DTS, some people may decide to return home and get involved in their local communities, others may decide to do further study, or work with other missions organisations, some may decide to stay on with YWAM in Townsville, or at another location.
If you find you’d like to stay on with YWAM Townsville, you will have the option of joining our two-year staff internship program. During this program you will receive further mentoring and hands-on experience. You will also have the option of doing one (or more!) of our vocational training courses. This training can be completed at your own pace, online – matched with practical application during your staff placement.
Do you have DTS for families?
Yes! We love having families in missions. If you are wanting to do DTS as a family then please contact us and we would love to chat! There will be lots to talk about, depending on the size of your family, ages of your children and heart for missions. We would encourage you to apply first and we will journey with you through your application.
At this point we do not have a specific family DTS cost, each spouse pays the full DTS fees. Food and accommodation is discounted for children.
How old do you have to be for DTS?
You must be 18 years old to do a DTS. If you are 17 when you apply for DTS but turn 18 in the first few weeks then it might be possible, please get in touch with us about this. Most of our DTS options are for up to 35 years of age, but if you older, feel free to contact us!
Is there a beach?
Yes! And it’s a 15 minute walk from the campus 
Can I work whilst I do my DTS?
DTS is a full-time course which means you’re going to be pretty busy! You’ll have things on in the morning, afternoons and most evenings, as well as school activities at the weekend. Your visa may have limited working conditions.
I am a parent and have some questions, can I talk with someone on the phone?
Yes of course, please go to our Contact Us page and either give us a call or an email, we would love to chat.
Looking for more info?
Download course catalogue
Download DTS Info Sheet
