Course Info
Dates for 2012
For Students
For Agencies
Learning Areas
Course Fees
Study Loans
Student Allowance
Frequently Asked Questions
Dates for 2012
Year 1
Block 1 Feb 13-19
Block 2 Apr 23-27
Block 3 June 23-29
Block 4 Sep 17-21
Retreat Block & Graduation Nov 7-9
Year 2
Block 1 Feb 13-19
Block 2 Apr 23-27
Block 3 June 25-29
Block 4 Sep 17-21
Retreat Block & Graduation Nov 7-9
As well as these times students will spend Mondays together in common teaching days.
All students will be required to attend the Surrender:12 Conference which is also the Praxis Gathering (March 23-25).
You can download a calendar file (.ics) with our key dates for 2012 here
For Students
What is Praxis like?
You’ll meet new people, try things you’ve never tried and learn things in new and interactive ways. Praxis isn’t about constant lectures, but about learning in action. We believe that we learn best when we’re challenged in different situations. You will learn through activity-based learning (ABL), cultural exchange (in Australia & New Zealand), sharing stories and trying out what you’re learning in real youth & community work.
Who is it for?
A person who plans to work in, or is already working in:
- Youth ministry in a school, a church, or in the community.
- A campsite, employment training, a drop in centre, or mentoring.
- An area that you have a passion to share with young people (eg. sports, the outdoors, art, music)
- Community work or community development.
By completing this course, you will learn:
- To operate effectively and ethically as a youth worker
- To serve, build relationships and share your faith with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
- To contribute to the learning and development of youth, and respond appropriately to young people in crisis.
You can expect to also have:
- Explored your own spiritual journey, your gifts and motivations.
- Developed networks in your community, assessed and developed responses to the needs of young people within it.
- Improved your knowledge of the Bible and your Christian tradition.
- Improved your awareness of Indigenous culture & history and considered the implications of this for your own practice.
How does the course work?
Praxis consists of the following parts:
Work Placement: we believe that learning is most effective when it takes place alongside the experience of working with youth, in conjunction with a church or a community organisation.
Training Block Courses: 4 training block courses per year with experienced and knowledgeable practitioners. Each intensive is 5-7 days in duration, including one trip to New Zealand or a cross-cultural location in Australia.
Weekly Classes: these are sessions with other students, facilitated by Praxis staff.
How do I apply?
Give us a call on (03) 9023 4363 or email us.
If you want to apply through CALAM Training the fill out this application form. If you want to apply through Tabor College Victoria, then click here. If you’re not sure, fill out this application form and we’ll be in contact soon.
For Agencies
What can Praxis do for your agency?
Churches and community organisations often find it difficult to find experienced or qualified workers. Cost is often an issue, too. Praxis, through its partners CALAM Training & Tabor College, provides a quality, low-cost way of giving existing workers training and experience in Christian youth & community work. Alternatively, you can use Praxis to start people on the journey of leadership.
With student allowances to support your student, churches and other agencies can employ a youth & community worker at a reasonable cost, while investing training and personal development into them.
What you can expect of Praxis?
You can expect Praxis to:
- Provide interactive, relevant and theoretically sound training.
- Provide a course co-ordinator to keep track of where your student is up to in their course, and co-ordinate training.
- Adapt course content so that it is applicable to your situation and the community you serve.
- Arrange for a mentor to support your student.
What Praxis expects of you.
We expect you to:
- Provide an ‘agency representative’ who oversees the practical component of your student’s youth & community work.
- Negotiate a realistic job description with your student.
- Give your student time to attend all Praxis training intensives & classes.
How does the course work?
The course operates as a partnership between Praxis (which provides the course content), CALAM Training or Tabor College (who provide accreditation) and the agency (you) which provides supervised practical experience. We require all students to have at least part of their practical work focused out into their community. Praxis negotiates an agreement with the agency which ensures the student has adequate support to complete both practical and academic components of the course.
Need more details?
Call (03 9023 4363) or email us.
Learning Areas
Praxis learning is spread between 6 learning areas.
Community Connection: discovering what it means to become part of your community
Inward Journey: the journey of personal and faith development
Leadership & Management: enabling others in Christian youth work
Youth Work Practice: the nuts and bolts of youth work
Frameworks for Action: the big picture of youth work
Safe Practice: keeping everyone as safe as possible
For more detailed information, please click here.
Course Fees
Youth & community workers are usually strapped for cash, and so are the organisations they work for. With this in mind, Praxis has tried to keep costs as low as possible. Costs differ according to whether you are studying through CALAM Training or Tabor College Victoria. Call (03 9023 4363) or email us for more information.
FEE HELP & VET FEE HELP
Most Praxis students take advantage of FEE HELP or VET FEE HELP. These are study loans that the Federal Government makes available to cover course fees. Because Praxis is accredited through CALAM Training and Tabor College Victoria, you can apply for these. They cover tuition fees, and begin to be paid back once your annual income rises above $47,196 per year (see the updated table here)
Student Allowances - Youth Allowance, Austudy & Abstudy
Youth Allowance, Austudy & Abstudy (for Indigenous students) are payments made to students if they are studying full-time and otherwise eligible. If you are studying with Praxis (either through CALAM Training or Tabor College) you qualify as full-time.
Study Loans
What is VET FEE-HELP/FEE HELP?
They are a Federal Government programs that cover tuition costs for students doing VET or Higher Education courses.
What’s the difference between VET FEE HELP and FEE HELP?
VET FEE HELP applies if you study through CALAM Training; FEE HELP applies if you study through Tabor College Victoria.
Do they cover all my course costs?
VET FEE-HELP only covers tuition fees, which includes things like course materials and paying workshop leaders. It can’t pay for things like food, accommodation and travel.
Do I have to pay the loan back?
Yes. VET FEE HELP/FEE HELP is a loan, which is paid back when you pay tax. However, you only have to start paying back once your annual income (before tax) reaches a certain amount.
How much can I earn before I have to start paying the loan back?
In 2011-2012, the amount was $47,196. For up to date information on this, go to this link.
I would like to pay some of the course fees myself. Can I use VET FEE HELP/FEE HELP to pay the rest?
Yes. Some students will have a part of their course fees paid by themselves, a relative or their church or agency. You can cover the difference with the loan
I’ve already studied before and have a HECS/HELP debt. Can I still get VET FEE-HELP or FEE HELP?
Yes. You can borrow up to $89,706 over your lifetime.
How do I apply for these loans?
Call (03 9023 4363) or email us for more information.
Student Allowance
What are Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy?
Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy are Federal Government allowances that help to cover living expenses.
They have different criteria for eligibility and rates of payment. You need to go to the Centrelink website to check these.
Youth Allowance
Youth Allowance is available to full-time students between the ages of 16-24 years. You also need to be considered independent. Check the website below to see whether you are eligible.
Centrelink Youth Allowance Website
Austudy
Austudy is available to full-time students over the age of 25 years. There is no independence test.
Abstudy
Abstudy is available to students who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Praxis course accredited?
Yes. Praxis is accredited through CALAM Training and Tabor College Victoria.
What qualification do I receive?
If you are studying through CALAM Training, you receive a Diploma of Youth Work (CHC51408), which is nationally recognised.
If you are studying through Tabor College Victoria, you receive credit towards the Bachelor of Arts (Youth Work).
What about Austudy?
The Praxis course allows you to apply for student payments like Youth Allowance and Austudy (to cover living costs). You must check these websites to check your eligibility & to apply:
Youth Allowance/Austudy/Abstudy – www.centrelink.gov.au
Course Fees
Course fees differ according to whether you study through CALAM Training or Tabor College Victoria - please call (03 9023 4363) or email us for more information.
What do my fees cover?
All tuition fees including: training costs, workbooks and readings, accreditation fees
They do not cover other stationery
They do not cover travel to training intensives
They do not cover the cost of non-timetabled study options or extra overseas study options.
How often are the training intensives?
4 times per year (1 week long) + 3 day retreat at the end of the year.
When does the course start?
The course starts in early February each year.
How do I apply?
You can apply by completing this application form or call (03 9023 4363) or email us.
