Young Life Australia

What Young Life Australia does

Young Life Australia Ltd is a Christian, volunteer-led non-profit organization and registered charity (ABN 96 592 278 795), operating in Australia since 1972 as part of the global Young Life movement founded in 1941. It delivers a portfolio of interconnected youth programs targeting school-aged youth through university students: WYLD Life (years 5-7), Young Life (high school), YL University, and Gap Year — a 12-month live-in discipleship program at Young Life College in Armidale priced at $22,000 AUD. Core delivery occurs via weekly club meetings, summer camps in Jindabyne, school-based chaplaincy and breakfast programs, small groups, and outdoor adventures. Since 2007, the organization has been accredited as a National Chaplaincy Program provider, placing chaplains and student wellbeing workers in schools.

The organization is structured around a national headquarters in Ryde, NSW and six regional offices spanning New South Wales, ACT, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania, plus international regional managers covering the Baltics and Balkans. Revenue is generated through a diversified, donation-led model: tax-deductible donations from individuals (including the YoungLife Friends monthly giving program), Foundation Memberships ($40/year), legacy giving and bequests, Gap Year tuition, summer camp fees ($110 deposit; $450-$550 volunteer rates), and grants (e.g., NSW Government Regional Youth, ClubGrants Parramatta Leagues). Workplace giving is delivered via the Good2Give platform. Technology infrastructure consists of WordPress-based websites, a dedicated volunteer/staff training portal, and the E-tapestry donation processing system — no proprietary technology, mobile app, or AI capabilities are evidenced.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: trained volunteers and area directors build relationships directly with youth in schools, churches, and local communities, while annual summer camps, trivia nights, and pancake breakfasts serve as primary engagement touchpoints. Strategic activity in 2025 has focused on leadership renewal, including the appointment of Kelly Winiata as Country Director and role transitions across operations, marketing, and Asia Pacific coordination. As a not-for-profit operating outside the investment/equity universe, Young Life Australia's strategic priorities center on donor stewardship, volunteer recruitment, geographic expansion, and program diversification rather than commercial growth metrics.

Name

Young Life Australia

Legal name

Young Life Australia Ltd

Website

https://younglife.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Young Life Australia is a Christian non-profit, founded in 1972, that delivers volunteer-led youth mentoring programs, school chaplaincy, camps, and a $22,000 Gap Year across six Australian regions and the Baltics and Balkans, funded primarily by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Youth ministry programs
• School chaplaincy services
• Mentorship programs
• Christian youth development
• Discipleship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Ryde

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individual supporters, monthly giving programs (Young Life Friends), and major gifts. All gifts $2 and over are tax-deductible. Workplace giving through Good2Give platform.
2. Program Fees - Gap Year: Gap Year program fees of $22,000 AUD covering live-in accommodation in Armidale, with deposit of $2,000 to secure place and installment payment options.
3. Summer Camp Fees: Camp registration fees with deposit of $110 for campers, volunteer rates of $450-550 for work crew and summer staff, plus transport costs.
4. Membership Fees: Foundation Member annual fee of $40 with voting rights at AGMs and board nomination eligibility.
5. Legacy Giving and Bequests: Planned giving through wills and bequests, including residuary bequests, percentage gifts, specific sums, or asset donations to Young Life Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Young Life Australia runs faith-based youth development programs (WYLD Life for Years 5-7, Young Life for high school students, YL University, and a 12-month Gap Year discipleship program) alongside Summer Camps and Club meetings led by trained volunteers across Australian regions. The organisation also provides National Chaplaincy Program services to schools and supports its work through tax-deductible donations, the YoungLife Friends monthly giving program, and workplace giving via Good2Give.

Product overview

Young Life Australia is a Christian volunteer organization operating as a portfolio of interconnected youth programs and support services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include WYLD Life (younger children), Young Life (high school students), YL University (university students), and Gap Year (discipleship year), supplemented by Summer Camp, Chaplaincy services, and local club meetings. A Training Portal provides volunteer and staff onboarding through online courses. The organization also operates donor programs including YoungLife Friends (monthly giving) and workplace giving options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WYLD Life: Program for younger kids (Years 5-7), described as a party with a purpose for pre-teen youth.
• Young Life University (YL University)
• Gap Year
• Young Life Club

Products and services

• WYLD Life Program for children in school Years 5-7 featuring parties with purpose, games, and age-appropriate activities designed to build community and introduce faith concepts.
• Young Life Core high school youth program featuring club meetings, small group discussions, camps and mentorship, focused on building authentic relationships and exploring faith.
• YL University University student program offering community, adventure, small groups, trips and service opportunities for young adults to grow in faith and belonging.
• Gap Year 12-month discipleship journey for fresh high school graduates and young adults featuring live-in accommodation at Young Life College in Armidale or part-time local area participation, combining ministry training, leadership development and spiritual formation. Total cost $22,000 AUD for full-time live-in participants.
• Summer Camp Annual adventure camp for Years 8-12 featuring water sports, hiking, archery tag, bushwalking and overnight stays, with inspirational talks and cabin leader mentorship. Registration deposit $110, with early bird rate $450 (prior to Nov 1) and full rate $550 for volunteer work crew and summer staff.
• Chaplaincy National Chaplaincy Program provider since 2007 offering chaplains and student wellbeing workers in schools, providing pastoral care, resilience-based welfare programs, and support for students, staff and families.
• Club Programs Regular club meetings held in schools or community halls featuring games, music, food, discussions, and short talks about faith. Includes breakfast and pancake programs at schools for contact work with students.
• Foundation Membership Annual $40 Foundation Membership providing voting rights at AGMs and eligibility to nominate board members, supporting governance participation in Young Life Australia.

Quantifiable outcome

• National Chaplaincy Program provider since 2007

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Creating Safer CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Creating Safer Communities to provide safe ministry induction and training for all volunteers. Provides $20 one-time online training course with reimbursement available from Young Life Australia.
• Good2Give (Workplace Giving Australia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration with Good2Give platform enabling workplace giving donations to over 2,800 charities. Allows employees to make regular donations through payroll systems.
• NSW GovernmentminorOthersProvided grant funding through Regional Youth Spring Holiday Break towards Study camp Young Life Armidale 2022.
• ClubGrants Parramatta LeaguesminorOthersProvided grant funding towards Young Life Parramatta Youth engagement program 2022.
• Local ChurchescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local churches across Australia to facilitate youth outreach, volunteer recruitment, and community support for Young Life areas.
• Schools (Various)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with schools to provide chaplaincy services, student wellbeing support, breakfast programs, and club meetings on school premises.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Scouts Australia: Australia-wide youth organization with local groups, camps, and outdoor adventure programs for school-age participants. Comparable in scale, program structure, and youth segment reach, though secular rather than faith-based.
• Salvation Army Youth Programs: Large Christian charity running youth outreach, chaplaincy, and community programs across Australia. Comparable mission overlap but operates as part of a much wider social services portfolio.
• Anglicare Australia Youth Services: Larger Anglican-affiliated welfare and youth services organization. Operates chaplaincy and youth programs but as part of a wider community services portfolio rather than a youth-only focus.

Direct peers

• SU Queensland (Scripture Union Queensland): State-level Scripture Union running beach missions, school-based groups, and camps across QLD and NT. Highly comparable in operating model to Young Life's local-area approach.
• Compassion Australia: Christian child and youth sponsorship nonprofit with similar donation-driven model and Australian donor base. Comparable in fund-development approach and faith-based positioning.
• Scripture Union Australia: Australia-wide Christian youth ministry running school-based groups, camps, and mission programs. Directly comparable to Young Life as a faith-based youth mentoring and camping organization with similar volunteer-driven local-area model.
• Fusion Australia: Inter-church youth and community organization with school chaplaincy, youth worker placement, and outreach programs. Comparable to Young Life's chaplaincy and youth work operations.
• InterVarsity Australia: Christian university student movement with small groups, camps, and missions programs. Directly comparable to Young Life University as a faith-based campus ministry in Australia.
• Boys' Brigade Australia: Christian youth organization running weekly meetings, camps, and leadership programs for school-age boys. Comparable volunteer-driven local unit model and faith-based youth development approach.
• Schools Ministry Group (SMG): Provides Christian student welfare workers, chaplains, and wellbeing support to Australian schools. Directly competes with Young Life's National Chaplaincy Program offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Young-Life-Australia/117029575003478
• Instagraminstagram.com/younglifeaus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/young-life-australia

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Young Life Australia