YWAM DTS

+ What is a DTS?

The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a 6-month journey designed to help you go deeper in your relationship with God and discover how He’s uniquely created you to make a difference in the world.

Our heart and motto is simple: "To know God and to make Him known."

DTS is made up of two exciting parts:

Lecture Phase (3 Months) This is a life-changing time of learning, growth, and community. You’ll dive into topics like hearing God’s voice, identity, forgiveness, worship, missions, and more—all while living in a vibrant community and receiving personal discipleship.

Outreach Phase (2–3 Months) Now it’s time to put it all into action. You’ll head out on mission—locally or internationally—and experience firsthand what it means to share God’s love in practical, powerful ways. It’s a time of growth, challenge, and seeing God move through you.

Whether you’re fresh out of school, in a season of transition, or just hungry for more of God—DTS is your next step. Come and be equipped, empowered, and sent into your calling.

+ Why the Gold Coast?

Imagine doing life with Jesus where the beach meets the call to missions.

The Gold Coast isn’t just a tourist hotspot—it’s a place where the nations come, and where lives are transformed. With stunning beaches, perfect waves, and warm weather nearly all year round, it’s easy to see why people are drawn here. But what makes it truly special is what God is doing beneath the surface.

At YWAM Gold Coast, you’ll join a passionate community that’s hungry for more of God and ready to make an impact—locally and globally. Our city is full of diversity, opportunity, and open hearts. Whether you’re worshipping on the beach, sharing Jesus in the streets, or growing in powerful community, this is a place where your faith comes alive.

Come to the coast—not just for the surf and sun, but to be transformed and sent into the world with purpose.

+ How much does a YWAM Gold Coast DTS Cost?

The lecture phase costs $4900 AUD and includes lectures, accommodation and food during your school phase. The outreach phase varies depending on the location and availability of flights (this will not be decided until week 4 of your school). It is normally approximately $4000 AUD but could be $6000 AUD

For a breakdown on costing please see the ‘Financial Breakdown’ tab.

+ Living on the Gold Coast

Location

YWAM Gold Coast enjoys a location of one of the top destinations on the planet. Every year millions of tourists from around the world come to enjoy the beaches and surf of Queensland Australia and YWAM uses this as an opportunity to tell the nations about Jesus. The YWAM centre is in Ashmore, a 10 minute drive from Surfers Paradise which is the focus for most of our local evangelism.

Airports

We are a 30 minute drive from ‘Coolangatta’ Gold Coast Airport and 60 minutes from Brisbane Airport. We can organize collection from the airport. Please contact the registrar in advance.

Experiencing Australia

You will have ample opportunity to explore Australia while you are here. Students have taken advantage of cheap flights to Sydney and other destinations during the school. There will be free time at weekends to go to wildlife parks and the beach. And yes, you will probably get to see some kangaroos!

+ Free Time

Shops

The base is next to a shopping centre with a supermarket, barbers, bakery, post office, fast food restaurants and a bus stop connecting you to Australia Fair, one of the Gold Coast’s premier shopping malls.

Surfing

We have some of the world’s best waves and our very own surfboards including beginner boards. So once you’ve crammed your head with learning, let off steam and try a new sport – or just pose for the camera and look cool.

Sport

We are a short drive from the local University beach volleyball and basketball courts. We also have access to soccer pitches behind the YWAM Centre and the neighborhood is safe for jogging. We have our own portable beach volleyball sets which we use for evangelism and social activities.

Sunshine

We get a lot of sun so there is a real outdoor lifestyle here. You will need to be careful about harmful rays and purchase strong ‘Australian’ brand sunscreen.

Church

YWAM is a inter-denominational organization but we do strongly encourage church attendance and you will have the opportunity to find a church that suits you.

+ Outreach

The leaders of your school pray about where you will go on the ‘outreach’ phase, but this will not be finalized until around week 3 of your school. On a typical DTS the students and staff will be split into 2 or 3 teams. As a Centre we have a vision for the Asia-Pacific region and have sent teams to Mozambique, Swaziland, Brazil, Peru, Papua New Guinea, India, Indonesia, Fiji, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Vanuatu, Eygpt, Solomon Islands, Turkey, USA and Nepal.

+ Financial Breakdown

All fees are in Australian dollars (AUD). To find out the cost of the course in your currency check out this website: www.xe.com.

You will be notified of any changes to this fee schedule prior to arrival.

Fees, charges and refunds

Clear, accurate and current information regarding fees, charges, method of payment and refund policy will be provided to all prospective students.

The timetable of payments for DTS is as follows:

• Upon receipt of application – non-refundable $30 application fee
• Upon receipt of ‘Acceptance of Place’ form – AUD $490 enrolment deposit
• Balance of fees for the classroom phase – AUD $4410 must be paid 3 weeks prior to the commencement of the course.*
• Full fees for the field work (outreach) phase must be paid by week 9 of the lecture phase.

By accepting an offer of a place at YWAM Gold Coast, a student is entering into an agreement that is stipulated in the Letter of Offer. Payment of tuition fees in full or in part indicates that such an agreement exists between the student and the school. Should circumstances change after receiving an offer, fees will only be refunded in accordance with the refund policy below.

Refund Policy:

Prior to commencement of the course:

• Where the course is cancelled the school will refund the fees in full minus any bank trasfer fees.
• When the Australian government authorities refuse to grant a visa, the school will refund all fees paid less the application fee and administration fees. The letter of refusal document must be sent to the school and must provide proof of refusal by the Australian government.
• Where the school receives written notice of withdrawal prior to the commencement of the course, the school will refund all fees paid less the $490 enrolment deposit, the application fee, and administration fees.

After commencement of the course:

• When the student withdraws from the course during week one, the school will refund 80% of the total classroom phase fees – less $490 enrolment deposit, administration fees, and the application fee.
• When the student withdraws from the course during week two, the school will refund 60% of the total classroom phase fees – less $490 enrolment deposit, administration fees and the application fee.
• When the student withdraws from the course during the third or fourth week, the school will refund 20% of the total classroom phase fees – less $490 enrolment deposit, administration fees and the application fee.
• When the student withdraws from the course after the end of the fourth week no refund will be given.
• *Please note that no part of the $800 adventure fee will be refunded during the school simply for a change of mind due to pre-booking fees and arrangements. If the adventure outing cannot be participated in due to medical reasons or reasons other than a change of mind, part of the fee may be refunded at the discretion of YWAM Gold Coast staff.

Field Assignment (outreach) Phase:

Final costs of the field assignment phase will be announced during the classroom phase. Field assignment costs are non-refundable except under special circumstances (ill health, etc) where the amount refunded will be determined according to the circumstance.

Refunds:

Any refunds over $500 will be paid to the person who originally paid the course fees.

*If you have any issues meeting this deadline, please contact our registrar who can discuss further options with you.