State of the art facilities
Get equipped in a professional, fun and state of the art training facility that comes complete with wireless internet access, café, library facilities, lounge, classrooms, auditorium, recording studio, offices and outdoor sport area. Enjoy the tropical setting of north Queensland while dining al fresco on our deck.

Location, location, location
Located only minutes from the airport and close to the heart of the city, it is only a short walk to local shopping malls and the city centre. Located within walking distance is Townsville’s premier outdoor attraction – the Strand where there is plenty of opportunity to soak up the sun beside the sea and enjoy the great outdoors.

Proven track record
We have a 10 year history of delivering quality training to students from Australia and overseas.

Quality leaders
All training staff have a commitment to investment into young people and the best part is, they care about you as an individual.

Quality speakers
Speakers are sought from Australia and overseas providing the best input by gifted speakers with proven experience in the field.

Individual training
With low staff to student ratios, your training includes lots of one-on-one mentorship.

Live-learn environment
Part of our philosophy of training is that learning happens all the time, not just in the classroom, so in order to maximise your learning opportunities you have the opportunity to live in a vibrant missions community while learning rubbing shoulders with staff and leaders who will encourage and assist you in your development.

Camping
Most of our training schools have a camping element which allows you to relish the great Aussie outback while learning in a unique bush setting. Spot a wallaby, stare at the stars and experience God in a whole new setting!

Multiple outreaches
One of the only places where you get not just one – but two – outreaches! Get active and watch your faith come alive!

Aussie Animal Encounters
Get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos, and crocodiles. Your YWAM DTS includes a trip to Billabong Sanctuary.

Free wireless internet
We understand the importance of staying in touch with family and friends. That’s why our centre has free wireless internet throughout just for you.

Free coffee
What better place to access free internet than in a cafe with free coffee? While the free drip is always on tap, you can also purchase specialty coffees at the cafe.

Exceptional food services
With meals planned by top cooks and nutritionists, your meals (included in the price) are not your average camp food. Enjoy delights like Cajun Chicken Pasta, fresh salads, and Mediterranean steak wraps. Special dietary needs such as vegetarian or gluten-free are accommodated for as well.

Health and fitness
Active health and fitness are encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle and with Castle Hill – one of the cities premier walking/hiking tracks – just a few minutes walk from the facility, you’ll find easy ways to stay fit.

Laundry Facilities
No coins needed! All of our housing is equipped with laundry facilities at no extra charge to you.

DTS was an experience that has allowed me to grow deeper in my understanding of who I am, who God is, and what is going on in the world. Through teachings, adventure and friendships, I feel more alive than I ever have. I know so much more of who I am, my passions and my dreams! I would tell anyone no matter what place they are in, or walk of life, to take 6 months to invest in themselves. The lessons learned and experiences gained will be something you will carry the rest of your life! – Jason PhillipsIndescribable. People talk about seeing God and experiencing his closeness, but I couldn’t grasp the concept. Why couldn’t I feel his presence? What was I doing wrong? I came to do a DTS to develop an unshakeable faith. I wanted to know first hand that God was real. While camping on the school God revealed himself to me in a very simple way. Laying on a sugar cane field looking at the stars, I just knew it. God was with us. I saw his love for us as a shooting star streamed across the sky right after we had prayed for one! The beauty of that night sky was no accident…it was God. After DTS, I will forever know that God is real and with us. DTS is plainly and most simply indescribable. – David LimCamping for me was such a great time, it’s not just about one particular thing but just the two weeks as a whole. I just really learned how big/great/majestic God really is. Some of my highlights were worshipping out in nature to quiet times alone in the bush and even just those great conversations under all the stars. God really spoke to me during this time in so many ways. It was time to get away from all distractions and just be alone with God and our DTS. It was two weeks that changed my life and I am sure that I will never forget. – Johnathon MillerThere is something about being out in the wilderness that is different from anywhere else. There is a real sense of closeness to God. During camping at Hidden Valley, God really met me where I was at, He knew I struggled hearing Him and having quality quiet times with Him. Every morning after breakfast I would walk out in the bush and just spend time with God. At the beginning it was hard but the more time I dedicated to God the more I heard Him. I would spend an hour out in the bush praying, reading and worshipping God, whereas before it was hard spending 10 minutes with Him. Through this experience I now enjoy and look forward to my quiet times wherever I am. – Derek AutyI loved camping in Hidden Valley. My favorite experience of camping was the nights of worship under the stars. I would go out into the middle of the field and look up and all I could see was stars, it made me feel like I was right there with God. God really met me during this time and revealed Himself to me through the beauty of His creation. My worship to Him changed dramatically, and I felt so free, to the point of dancing around the field and laughing myself silly. I can honestly say, being away from all the distractions and noise of life brought me closer to God and really helped me see Him for who He is. – Gia WhiteDTS showed me how many opportunities are truly out there and how possible it is to live a life of significance. During the last couple of months, my relationship with God has grown more than I ever expected. My passion for living a life of righteousness has rekindled. DTS showed me the true power of God’s redeeming and earth shattering love; I learned how important it is to always walk hand in hand with my creator. – Selah Stivers

Lectures take on a brand new perspective when we shift our classroom to the great outdoors! Days spent under clear blue skies are coupled with nights around a campfire under a canopy of stars. This experience provides ample opportunities for contemplating the vastness of a creative God and provides an excellent opportunity for getting to know your friends without the usual trappings of home. You will be challenged and inspired by daily lectures, have an opportunity to taste some authentic Aussie bush cooking, see the many and varied wildlife on offer, and participate in some great camping activities – all in a unique Aussie bush setting!

Even if you don’t like camping we find that this is one of the highlights of the schools and everyone who goes is pleasantly surprised.

*Please note: The Ship DTS does not have a camping element.

Head out on adventure with us and you’ll find yourself face to face with images from the pages of National Geographic. Taste the rainforests of Papua New Guinea and the red dust of the Australian Outback. Hear the sounds of children’s voices in Thailand and Indonesia. Dance around a fire in a village deep in the island of Fiji or sail on a ship into a remote village in need of health care. Our region extends from Australia, into the Pacific Islands, and out toward Southeast Asia. All of our training schools include practical application in at least one of these locations where you will have the chance to bring hope and life to those who are in great need.

Certificate III in Discipleship
At the completion of all units of the course you will obtain a Certificate III in Discipleship. The DTS is designed to lay foundations of knowing God and making Him known by training participants in the foundational teachings of Youth With A Mission and by providing opportunities for hands on application of that training. The DTS opens the door for ongoing involvement with Youth With a Mission, and provides foundational training that will assist you in further missions involvement, or for personal application in any sphere of society.

Unit IDS701/2.101 Encountering God
The purpose of this unit is to strengthen the participant’s relationship with God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) by imparting a life-changing understanding of the nature, character, and ways of God, by encouraging a response to Him in worship, prayer and obedience, and by equipping participants to read the Bible in such a way that transforms beliefs, values and behaviours.

Unit IDS701/2.102 Seeing Life from God’s Perspective
The purpose of this unit is to enable the participant to adopt and apply the Biblical view of human beings and their role as partners with God in all of creation, while affirming the value, uniqueness and significance to God of every individual as well as all peoples and nations.

Unit IDS701/2.103 Recognize Jesus as Lord
The purpose of this unit is to strengthen the participant’s commitment to follow Jesus as Lord and to apply that commitment to personal lifestyle.

Unit IDS701/2.104 Become more like Jesus
This unit provides the participant with the knowledge and skills to establish an ongoing development of their attitudes, values, and behaviour to reflect those of Jesus Christ.

Unit IDS701/2.105 Do the Works of Jesus
The purpose of this unit is to challenge the participants with the ‘Great Commission,’ to do the works of Jesus so as to defeat the enemy’s strategies, to strengthen their commitment to reach the lost, to equip them to share the Gospel, and to encourage them to clarify with God their personal life direction and purpose.

Unit IDS701/2.106 Orientate to YWAM
This unit will give the participant an overview of the purpose, structure, history and foundational values of Youth With A Mission internationally, nationally and locally. The unit will also introduce participants to the opportunities that are available for them for further study and ministry within YWAM after the completion of the training course.

School Schedule and Timetable
Each course is a full-time 21-week training program and full time participation is a requirement. Students will live and eat on campus and will be required to participate in all lectures, school outings, centre functions and activities. A typical day will include lectures, ministry placement, practical skills development, and homework. Weekends will be mostly free, but students may be asked to attend community activities, events, and class outings. Some of these activities will be optional and some will be required as part of the course. Saturday evenings, students will be involved in a youth program called Youth Street, where we will join together with the broader YWAM team in helping the youth of our region. While on outreach, your schedule will depend on each individual location.

The Discipleship Training School is a combination of heart revelation and head knowledge with an emphasis in practical application. There is also a component of written course work which helps students understanding reach a deeper level as processing and application takes place. Our assessments utilise a range of methods including: journals, workbooks, book reports, outreach reports, self-assessment checklists and supervisor reports. The DTS is holistic in nature and units of competency are delivered concurrently enabling you to develop your skills, knowledge and character.

*For recognition of prior learning/course credit, please see the Staff and Student Handbook.

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.

Reef to Outback 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 Easy Guide to ESOS. See the link below for further information. http://aei.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/EasyGuide_ESOS.htm