Youthworks

What Youthworks does

Youthworks (legally Anglican Youth and Education Diocese of Sydney) is a registered Australian charity and Anglican ministry organization headquartered in Sydney that partners with local churches and NSW government schools to provide youth and children's ministry services. The organization operates an integrated portfolio of programs including Special Religious Education (SRE) teacher recruitment and training for NSW public schools, a network of 10 owned conference centres across 4 NSW locations for outdoor education and camps, the Year 13 structured Christian gap year program, and Youthworks College (founded 2001) providing theological education for vocational ministry. Subsidiary operations include Christian Outdoor Education (COE, 30+ years of operation), Youthworks Media (curriculum and discipleship resources), the Ministry Support Team (regional advisors serving churches), and event programs (Leaders in Training, House Conference, Square One, Getaways).

The business model combines multiple revenue streams: tax-deductible donations (ABN 96 398 231 605), program fees for Year 13 and camp accommodations, resource sales through Youthworks Media and e-commerce webstores, and training/education fees from Youthworks College. Capital is supplemented by philanthropic grants, notably AUD $1.482M from the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in September 2022. Technology infrastructure consists of online learning platforms for Youthworks College (with online study options) and standard web-based content management for resource distribution; no proprietary technology, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed. The organization is led by CEO Craig Roberts and employs 51–100 staff across regional ministry advisor, college faculty, conference centre operations, and SRE coordination roles.

Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, with regional advisors directly partnering with Anglican churches across Sydney (Northern, South Western, Western, South Sydney, Wollongong regions) and a formal partnership with the NSW Department of Education for SRE delivery. Marketing channels include content marketing via the youthworks.net website, email newsletters (Effective Ministry Newsletter, SRE Impact Newsletter), annual conferences, the Effective Ministry Podcast, and organic social media. The organization holds a strategic partnership with the Sydney Anglican Diocese, operates with no external shareholders or venture investors, and is expanding internationally through a resource translation partnership with Scripture Union India and Global Impact mission programs in Fiji and northwest Australia.

Name

Youthworks

Legal name

Anglican Youth and Education Diocese of Sydney

Website

https://youthworks.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Youth and Children's Ministry Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117), Child and Youth Services (62411), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Youth ministry training
• Religious education services
• Theological education
• Outdoor adventure camps
• Children's ministry resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Tax-Deductible Contributions: Youthworks is a registered charity with ABN 96 398 231 605. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia, representing a primary revenue stream.
2. Program Fees: Fees charged for programs including Year 13 gap year program, conference centre accommodations, and camp programs.
3. Resource Sales: Sale of educational and discipleship resources through Youthworks Media and webstores.
4. Training and Education Services: Youthworks College provides theological education and training for children's and youth ministry.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Youthworks is a registered Anglican charity providing youth and children's ministry support through multiple programs: theological education (Youthworks College), Christian outdoor education camps (COE), Special Religious Education teacher training for NSW government schools, the Year 13 discipleship gap year, 10 conference centres for outdoor education, regional ministry advisory services to local churches, and discipleship media resources. The organization partners with churches and schools to orient young people for life in Christ.

Product overview

Youthworks (Anglican Youthworks) is an Anglican organization operating a multi-faceted youth and children's ministry portfolio. The organization consists of multiple divisions including Christian Outdoor Education (COE), Conference Centres, Youthworks College, Youthworks Media, the Year 13 gap year program, Special Religious Education (SRE) Office, Ministry Support Team, and various events programs (Leaders in Training, Getaways, Square One, House Conference, SRE Conference). These products work together to support churches and schools in discipling young people: COE and Conference Centres provide experiential faith environments through camps; Youthworks College offers theological education; SRE Office trains volunteer teachers for public schools; Ministry Support provides regional advisors to equip local churches; Year 13 offers a structured post-school discipleship year; Media produces curriculum resources like the 7 Principles; and events programs develop leadership and provide retreat opportunities. The organization also provides tools and resources including the Effective Ministry Tool, podcast, and articles to support ministry effectiveness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youthworks College: Theological education and ministry training college for children and youth ministry
• Youthworks Christian Outdoor Education (COE)
• Youthworks Conference Centres
• Youthworks Media
• Year 13
• Leaders in Training (LiT)
• Square One
• House
• Getaways
• Schoolies

Products and services

• Christian Outdoor Education (COE) Adventure-based Christian education camps combining outdoor activities with biblical teaching for young people, offered for over 30 years. Targets school groups, church groups, and youth organizations seeking outdoor education with faith formation.
• Conference Centres Ten owned conference centres across four NSW locations within two hours of Sydney, offering accommodation, adventure activities, and scenic settings for school and church groups.
• Youthworks College Theological college providing training and education for children's and youth ministry, integrating classroom learning with practical ministry experience. Offers online study options and has produced 300+ graduates over 20 years.
• Youthworks Media Media and publishing division producing discipleship resources, curriculum materials, and the 7 Principles of Effective Youth Discipleship for churches. Sells resources through webstores including youthworksmedia.net and cepstore.com.au.
• Year 13 Gap Year Program Structured 12-month Christian gap year discipleship program for school leavers, preparing them for life and service through mission, ministry training, and community life.
• Special Religious Education (SRE) Office Support service recruiting, training, and equipping SRE teachers to provide Christian religious education in NSW government schools, partnering with local churches and the NSW Department of Education.
• Ministry Support Team Regional advisors partnering with local churches to equip, educate, and grow ministries to children, youth, and families through training, resources, and ongoing support.
• Getaways Family-focused camping retreats and getaways providing opportunities for families to disconnect from daily life and enjoy God's creation together.
• Square One Weekend camp program for children in Years 3-6 and their church leaders, providing discipleship through shared camp experiences.
• House Conference Conference equipping youth and children's ministers in theological thinking, teaching, and ministry practice.
• SRE Conference Annual conference that resources and trains SRE teachers across NSW, offered with both in-person and livestream attendance options.
• Leaders in Training (LiT) Leadership training events and programs developing young people into Christian leaders through shared resources, networks, and encouragement.
• Global Impact International mission and outreach programs enabling young people to share the gospel cross-culturally in places like Fiji and northwest Australia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ graduates from Youthworks College over 20 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sydney Anglican DiocesecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouthworks operates as Anglican Youth and Education Diocese of Sydney, closely aligned with the Sydney Anglican Diocese. The organization meets obligations to the Diocese and NSW Department of Education.
• Local Anglican ChurchescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouthworks partners with local churches to orient young people for life in Christ, providing ministry support, training, and resources to church-based youth and children's ministries.
• NSW Department of EducationcoreOthersYouthworks SRE Office partners with local churches to provide SRE teaching in NSW government schools, operating within Department of Education frameworks.
• Scripture Union IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to translate Youthworks Media resources, including 'GPS: God's Plan for Salvation', into Tamil for distribution through Scripture Union units, Christian bookshops and churches in India.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SU Camps (Scripture Union Camps): SU Camps is the camp/outdoor education division of Scripture Union Australia. Direct peer to Youthworks Christian Outdoor Education, offering faith-based camps and outdoor experiences for school-aged children.
• Youth for Christ Australia: Youth for Christ Australia runs youth ministry, school-based outreach, leadership training, and mission programs for young people. Comparable in mission, target audience (adolescents/young adults), and ministry training focus, though non-denominational.
• Scripture Union Australia: Scripture Union Australia runs SRE (Special Religious Education) in NSW government schools and operates youth ministry, camps, and discipleship programs. Direct peer in volunteer-based SRE delivery and youth outdoor ministry, with similar reliance on church volunteer networks.
• Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT: Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT supports youth and children's ministry across its member churches with training, camps, and resources. Comparable in church-support model, training programs, and youth camp operations.
• Catholic Diocese of Sydney - Youth Ministry: Catholic Youth Ministry Sydney runs SRE-equivalent programs in NSW public schools (Scripture classes), youth groups, and faith formation programs. Direct denominational peer competing for SRE access in the same NSW government schools.

Broad incumbents

• Wesley Mission: Wesley Mission is a large Uniting Church-affiliated community services and faith organization operating in NSW. Comparable in faith-based community services, conference facilities, and youth/family programs at greater scale and broader scope.
• Anglicare Sydney: Anglicare Sydney is the broader social services arm of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, offering community services, foster care, and family support. Sister organization within the same diocesan structure with overlapping governance and donor bases.
• Salvation Army Australia - Youth Programs: The Salvation Army runs youth programs, outdoor adventure centres, and faith-based community services across Australia. Comparable in multi-faceted ministry portfolio including camps and youth development, with broader geographic reach.

Others

• Christian Education Publications (CEP): CEP is actually a Youthworks subsidiary selling curriculum, but in the broader market it competes with publishers like Bible Society Australia and Anglican Diocesan education resources for church curriculum spend.
• Open Doors Australia: Open Doors Australia is a persecuted-church advocacy and Christian support organization. Adjacent in the Christian nonprofit ecosystem targeting Australian church supporters, but not directly competitive in youth ministry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Youthworks