Live In
Young Life Australia College, Armidale
Applications open for January 2026!
Check out our Gap Year Prospectus
Stay Local
Experience this program as a part-time local area Gappie
Young Life Australia believes that God is far more present and far more active than most of us are often aware. Our Gap Pear program will help you learn how to discern what God is doing in you, so that you are able to get on board with what He desires to do through you!
Would you like to learn how to keep in step with Jesus and align your life with the Father’s Agenda?
Sign up today for the Young Life Australia Gap Year! A year of adventure, community, mission, and spiritual formation.
The process is simple
The Young Life Gap Year program turns disciples into disciplemakers. The 12-month program is comprised of two distinct cohorts – the full-time live-in Gappies and part-time local area Gappies.
Regardless of which cohort you want to be part of, the application process is the same.
1. Apply
Complete the application form
2. Interview
A member of staff will reach out and set up an intake interview. This informal interview is an opportunity for you to ask questions of us and for us to ask questions about you.
3. Screening
If all parties agree to proceed with the application process after the interview, a member of staff will contact referees and references.
4. Formal offer
Should you pass the screening process, you will be emailed a formal offer to join the program.
5. Formal acceptance
A Gap Year student will not be accepted into the program until the offer is formally accepted in writing and the necessary deposit is paid.
If you would like to know more about the program before applying, please reach out to us at gapyear@younglife.org.au
Whether it’s high schools, skate parks, or university campuses, wherever young people are, you’ll be there. Additionally, you’ll camp at our summer camp in Jindabyne, attend Uni camps, national leaders retreats, and experience Young Life’s global mission at a camp in Southeast Asia. We’ll also provide specific outdoor adventures for solitude, community, and thrill—a wild, enriching mix.
Incarnational
“The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14). “As you go, make disciples…” (Matthew 28:18). We go into their world, their culture, learn their language, instead of expecting them to come to our world, i.e., church, worship music, Christian terminology, etc. We are not based on meetings, but on authentic friendships that require the Young Life leaders to be present in the daily lives of their teenage friends.
Hospitality
“You are always welcome here.” We provide a safe place for kids to hear and consider the claims of Jesus Christ. We say to kids, “you belong with us” in every verbal and non-verbal way we can. The Gospel is fundamentally inclusive.
A Welcoming Community
The Young Life leaders and other supportive adults are a “mission community” with the purpose of communicating the Gospel to young people. Teens desire to belong. Young Life leaders create communities of friends who play together, laugh together, and share life together. When these friends begin to know Jesus, this community takes on the dynamic of Christian fellowship.
Friendship
We find common ground from which to build an unconditional friendship. Hopefully, this will form a bridge to their meeting Jesus, and to their friends, as well. But the friendship is authentic, whether they decide to follow Jesus or not.
Christ-Centred
Jesus is the Gospel. After developing friendships and trust with kids, we are able to tell the stories about Jesus from the Gospels to help them see and feel what Jesus was like and how he interacted with people, and glimpse his power and authority.
Joy and Humour
We understand that humour and laughter are very powerful in breaking down barriers and building bridges. Laughter opens up the door to eventually share life together.
Excellence
Everything we do is well thought through. We always consider why before how. Prayer is the cornerstone of our planning and activities. We do not settle for mediocrity.
A Spirit of Adventure
We demonstrate that following Jesus is exciting, joyful, and sometimes scary through adventures, camps, and surprises.
Disciples who Disciple others
Leaders are those who not just lead others but teach and equip others to lead others. Prayer always precedes, accompanies, and relentlessly follows all that we do.
Prayer always precedes, accompanies and relentlessly follows all that we do.
What is the accommodation like?
The Young Life College at Armidale is housed in an old seminary building, complete with a round tower. It is cold in winter but it has good heating in most rooms. Accommodation is typically twin-share with a roommate of the same gender. The house has shared shower and toilet facilities. It has a large, sunny common room, dining room, and kitchen.
What happens at the end of Gap Year?
Your experiences and learning will set you up perfectly to join Young Life staff in local areas around Australia, funding dependent. Alternatively, you can stay on as a volunteer with Young Life or move on to your next ministry adventure, wherever God leads you!
What are the payment options for full-time live-in gappies?
After paying the deposit to secure your place, the remaining balance is to be paid either in one lump sum or in two smaller installments. Participants who choose to pay the remaining balance in one lump sum need to do so before December 31, 2025. Those who opt for two smaller instalments will need to pay 50% of the balance owing (i.e. total course cost less the deposit) before December 31, 2025. The remaining balance is due June 20, 2026.
Tell me more about the part-time local area gappie experience.
The part-time local area Gappie experience is available to any Australian resident who is willing to engage for 12 months as a volunteer with YLA in one of our many east coast local ministry teams. This experience will see you participating in the online learning cohort + you will be welcome to participate in any of the other programs in the annual YLA live-in gappie calendar of events – at an additional cost. For more information please contact your local area director or the Gap Year coordinator at gapyear@younglife.org.au.
Is the training accredited?
The Gap Year does not include nationally accredited training. Gappies will learning Young Life ministry principles and practice following in the footsteps of Jesus through lived-ministry experience.
Can I enrol from overseas?
Gap Year is a fantastic opportunity for young adults from other countries to live and do ministry in Australia. You will make life-long friends, experience Australian culture and be stretched to discover your identity in Christ. If you are enrolling from overseas you will need to apply for a working holiday visa.
What if I am a domestic applicant who wants to relocate for the program?
Absolutely! If you want to experience life in another city, we would recommend the live-in option at Armidale, which for an additional cost will include supported accommodation but you are welcome to move anywhere.
What if I can’t commit to the whole 12 months?
YLA may consider approving a 6-month application if there is a good reason for not being able to make the year long commitment.
Click here to add your own text