Got a question?

Got a question about Year 13? Chances are someone has already asked it. Check through our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to see if your question has already been answered.

If you can't find an answer to your question, email us at year13@youthworks.net or call us on (02) 8093 3400 and we'll give you the answer!

The categories below are:

Distance and Denomination

Church, School and Part-time Work

Fiji Mission Trip

Transport and Accommodation

Applications and Pre-requisites

Fees and Inclusions

Distance and Denomination

I live a long way from Sydney. Can I still do Year 13?

Yes! YES! If you choose the ‘Intensive option’ then you can travel to Sydney a four times a year for block lectures, and direct (if that is best) to Fiji for mission. Through the year, you will continue your learning online. We have had students from Lord Howe Island, Brisbane, Townsville and all over NSW choose this option (see the ‘Can I get there?’ for full details).

However, even if a couple of hours away from Sydney, you may still choose to commute. In past years we have had students from as far as Lithgow, Ulladulla, the Central Coast and even Scone who have made the trip to Loftus (in Sutherland Shire) each week, and then returned home after staying two nights at our college. As an example, it only takes around two hours to get to Loftus from Nowra.

We have also had our first international student - Salome Kohli from Switzerland - move to Australia for the 2008 Year 13 program! To find out more about how Salome discovered Year 13 through Google, click here.

Is Year 13 only for Anglicans?

Not at all. In fact, in previous years we have welcomed around 30% of students from non-Sydney Anglican churches in our program. We are looking for Christians who are keen to be missional disciples for Jesus.

Please assure your parents (and your pastor!) that we are not looking to recruit Anglicans. You will spend one third of your time with us, one third in a placement in your home church, and one third of your time earning some cash. Your home church will see more of you than ever before!

Church, School and Part-time Work

Is my church or school expected to pay for my days of ministry?

No. Under normal circumstances, we don't regard Year 13 students to be employees of the church or school, but as work-experience students*. There are lots of issues around becoming an "employee". For this reason we don't encourage churches or schools to provide a formal salary or 'pay'. 

That said, we DO encourage churches and schools to support Year 13 students as much as they are able. The Parish Council or School Council may decide to make a contributions towards the student's tuition and training, depending on their resources and on the needs of the student.

Do I have to do it at my 'home' church?

Ordinarily, yes. It is a major adjustment to change churches, and we would prefer that students stay in this familiar environment. However, if this is just not possible for a special reason, we will consider applicants who wish to serve in a different church than their 'home' church.

If you decide you'd like to move to Sydney for the year (we recommend intensive mode, but some students in the past have opted to do this) then we can help you find a great church to commit to for the year.

Do I have to get a part time job?

Tough one. It's a free country and you may be a millionaire! But even then, we still think that the world of work (even part-time) is an essential part of you Year 13 experience. You'll just get more out of your year.

Normally, students who receive little or no financial support will need to work one or two days per week. Students may also choose to work during term breaks and in the months before and after the program - a great thing to do. Alternatively, students may choose the Intensive option in order to be available to work several days per week, if required.

Is one 'day off' enough?

In most cases, one 'official' day off per week should be OK for students, provided you also have other informal recreational time during the week. If students find the demands of their school or church to be too onerous, then you may negotiate an additional day off or part day off during the week.

Also, bear in mind that students are given some time off for mid-semester breaks and also before and after the Fiji mission.

Fiji Mission Trip

Do I need a passport?

Yes. If you don't already have a passport, then you will need to apply for a passport before travelling to Fiji. This needs to be personally organised by the Year 13 student. Not hard, but dont leave until the last minute!

Do I need to organise a visa?

No. Australian citizens are exempt from acquiring visas for entry to Fiji. Further details at http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Fiji

Do I need to organise vaccinations?

Yes. We will provide details of what is needed and/or recommended, but these will need to be organised and paid for by the students.

Is the Fiji trip compulsory?

Absolutely. The subjects we do before the trip prepare for it, and the ones after reflect on it. It is integral to the year. It will also be the location of five days of teaching and a bonding experience for the team. Seriously, you would kick yourself if you missed it! 

For more details on the Fiji Mission Trip click here.

Transport and Accommodation

Do I need to have a car to participate in the Year 13 program?

No. Our campus is within walking distance from rail transport. You will need to borrow a car for the skilled driver training course.

Do I need to have a driver's licence to participate in the Year 13 program?

No. However, we encourage all students to get their P's driving licence so that they may participate in the skilled driver training course.

Do students have to stay overnight at the campus during term time?

Yes. This overnight component is part of the community experience. In addition, our program normally finishes late on Thursday night (around 8.30pm) and resumes at 8.30am on Friday morning, so travelling away from our campus for sleeping would be counter-productive.

Accommodation is provided for intensive mode students during their lecture blocks.

Applications and Prerequisites

If I'm finishing my HSC this year, can I still study the full-time Diploma of Theology course at Youthworks College, or do I have to do Year 13?

For most school-leavers, the Year 13 course is ideal, even for those intending to do vocational gospel ministry in the future. Going straight from school to full-time ministry training is almost never a good idea. However, if a student has specific needs that would be better served by the full-time Diploma course, then by all means apply for both the Youthworks College Diploma course AND Year 13, and then we can discuss the specific needs, and subsequently make a recommendation.

When can I apply for next year?

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! You can download the Prospectus form and application form here, fill it in and send it to us! However, please indicate your interest by emailing us at year13@youthworks.net so we can keep you informed of any updates to the program.

Do you have an Open Day?

The 2011 Info Day, for those looking to join Year 13 in 2012 will be held Saturday 10th September at Youthworks College's campus in Loftus. We will have more details on the website closer to this date.

Can I join the program if I finished Year 12 in 2010?

The Year 13 program is designed for people who finish Year 12 in November and then start Year 13 four months later. However, in exceptional circumstances we will accept a "Year 14" student to the program, (i.e. someone who finished Year 12 in 2010). In such cases, please indicate the reason for the exceptional circumstance in the application form. If you finished your HSC in 2010 or earlier and do not consider that you have exceptional circumstances, then you may wish to apply for the two-year Diploma course at Youthworks College.

Can I participate in Year 13 without first completing my HSC?

The program is designed for people who will complete their HSC in 2011. However, if you finished early (e.g. at the end of Year 10) and would otherwise have been graduating from school in 2011 then we may be able to accept you, subject to other factors (see FAQ below about people who haven't completed their HSC).

Will you accept people who haven't completed their HSC?

The Year 13 program is available to students who have not completed the formal qualifications of their HSC. However, since this is a course for HSC school leavers, any student wishing to apply for exceptional circumstances must be of the same age as if they were due to complete their HSC in the year immediately prior to Year 13. In other words, if they had not left school earlier, then they would be about to sit their HSC exams in the year prior to the Year 13 program. Students must also demonstrate that they are at an equivalent stage in life to the other school leavers, especially with respect to the life experience and eagerness to examine new options for study and work, and that they are capable of completing study at a diploma level.

Is there a minimum UAI score for Year 13?

No.

When do applications close?

Applications for both the Intensive mode and Continuous mode close February 2012, unless the program is already full before that date. Make sure you submit your application form as soon as you can.

Do I have to be a keen Christian to do the program?

Yes. You will need to show evidence of this on your application form, as well as in the formal admission interview.

How many places are available?

We are planning to provide 40 places in the continuous mode, and 40 places in the intensive mode, although this number is subject to change according to demand.

What will happen in the interview?

In the interview we seek to find out whether or not the applicant loves Jesus and is keen to participate in the program. They are the two key elements. We will pray with you and under God attempt to establish whether Year 13 is right for you.

Fees and Inclusions

I'm keen to join, but I don't know how I will find enough money to cover the fees. Can you help?

Yes! Our desire is for Year 13 to be accessible to every eligible applicant. You can apply for financial assistance by filling out the Application for Financial Assistance that is included in the Year 13 Application Form. Students are also trained and equipped for fundraising to recoup some of the costs for the mission trip.

Students are also eligible for an Australian Government Fee-Help loan. This enables a student to defer part of their fees until their income reaches a certain threshold. Furthermore, whilst your ministry placement is primarily designed as work experience, churches and schools may assist students by contributing to some or all of the fees.

Do the course fees have to be paid 'up front' at the start of the year, or can they be paid in installments?

Fees for Continuous-mode students will be due in four installments throughout the year. Fees for Intensive-mode students will be due in three installments throughout the year.

Are Year 13 students eligible for Youth Allowance?

No. However, several students in the past have applied to Centrelink and have been successful depending on their personal circumstances.

Am I eligible for FEE-Help for the Year 13 program?

Yes! (Provide you are an Australian resident.)

I don't have a driver's licence. Can I get a refund for the Skilled Driver Training Course?

Hopefully you will have time between now and March 2012 to get your P's so you can participate. We may even be able to arrange an alternate date for some students later in the year. Unfortunately, if this is not possible we do not refund fees for any of the short courses that are offered.

I already have a Senior First Aid Certificate. Do I need to do it again? Can I get a refund?

The St John Ambulance Senior First Aid Certificate needs to be updated every three years. Even though your qualifications may not have lapsed by February 2012, you may still choose to do the two-day course with the rest of the group at that time and extend for a further three years from that date. If you choose not to update your certificate we do not refund this component of the fees.

Are Year 13 students entitled to concession fares on public transport?

The City Rail rules state that "TAFE and private college students must attend face-to-face day classes for no less than 20 hours a week." On this basis, the two days per week of Year 13 classes do not qualify. For further details see here: http://www.cityrail.info/fares/concessions.jsp Howev.er, recipients of Centrelink Youth Allowance ordinarily gain access to a travel concession card.

Do students need to pay for textbooks, and if so, how much will this be?

If students do not already have the textbooks, then they will need to purchase these books. We anticipate a cost of no more than $300, although students may choose to purchase other additional books for the purposes of their study.

You may find that the books required are readily available for loan from relatives or friends. But if not, they are book well worth owning and we may be able to organise a bulk rate for students.

Miscellaneous

Can I get a bundle of Year 13 brochures for my church or school?

Yes! Please email year13@youthworks.net or phone us on (02) 8268 3367 to ask for as many as you need. We can also send you an A3 poster to put up on the wall!

Can I get someone along to speak about Year 13 at my church or school?

Yes! Please email year13@youthworks.net or phone us on (02) 8268 3367 to discuss your needs.

NOTE: Program details are subject to change. Full terms and conditions can be found in the Prospectus. Please regularly check http://www.youthworks.net/year13 for latest details and updates.