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We are committed to providing equitable access for young Australians to participate in the Young Endeavour program.
Rather than take direct bookings (like an airline or travel company), we offer places on each voyage through the Young Endeavour Ballot. This not only helps us provide equitable access, it ensures a mix of youth crew join each voyage – which research tells us means better outcomes for each participant!
The ballot is a weighted lottery which opens twice a year – if you’re unsuccessful on your first application you can choose new voyages every six months for another chance to join the crew. There are no fees to apply, and you can submit or update an online application at any time.
Eligibility Criteria
Voyages in Young Endeavour are open to Australian youth aged 16-23. To apply you need to:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- be aged 16-23 years on the day the voyage departs
- able to swim 50 metres
- be in good general health
Successful applicants will need to complete a health questionnaire prior to final placement on a voyage.
Please also refer to COVID-19 safe voyaging requirements for voyages departing in 2022.
About the Ballot process
Each year we open two ballots – usually in January and August. You’ll be able to choose from about ten voyages in each ballot, sailing different parts of the Australian coast.
While we accept applications all year round, for the best chance of securing a berth (a place on board) we encourage you to apply before the advertised ballot close date. Submitting an application does not guarantee you a berth, you need to be selected as part of the ballot process to be part of a voyage.
How does it work?
Voyages announced
A schedule of voyage dates is published on our website and a ballot is announced to the public.
Applications accepted
Young Australians submit an online application following the Application Steps below. Applications take about 10 minutes to complete and can be updated at any time.
Offers made
Main round offers are made around two months after the ballot opens (the week after the advertised close date). If you’re successful, you’ll receive an email offering you a voyage in Young Endeavour. If you are unable to sail and decline an offer, we re-ballot these berths and continue making offers up until two weeks prior to each voyage departing.
Health Check & Payment
A 20% deposit is required to accept an offer, with the balance of your voyage fee due about eight weeks prior to departure. You’ll also need to give us some additional information and complete a health questionnaire with your GP.
Ready to sail!
You’ll receive your kit bag, crew shirt and voyage handbook to help you prepare for your voyage. Login to the Youth Crew Dashboard for information about where and when to join the ship!
Application Steps
Create an account
Click on the Apply Now button and provide your name and email address to set up an account.
Personal details
Tell us a bit about yourself to confirm your eligibility, and to ensure we can reach you if you are successful in the ballot.
Medical details
If you’re successful in the ballot we’ll ask you to complete a health questionnaire with your GP, but for now we’ll ask for some brief details – make sure you have your Medicare number ready!
Choose your voyages
Consider which voyages you are available to join. You can choose as many voyages as you like and will be entered into the ballot for each one.
Submit your application
Good luck! You will be contacted if you are offered a berth. You can login to your account at any time to update your voyage preferences, and we'll send you an email if new voyage dates are announced.
Important information before you apply
Check out the upcoming voyage dates
View the current voyage schedule and choose the dates that suit your location and commitments. Remember, you can apply for as many voyages are you like, but you can’t swap voyages if you are offered a berth.
Getting time off work or school
Keep your work or school schedule in mind when reviewing voyage dates, and consider how much notice you'll need to give if you are offered a berth. Main round offers are usually made three to six months prior to departure, however you can sometimes be offered a berth a short notice if someone else is no longer able to sail.
Top tips for applications
School holiday periods are always popular, so consider whether you can take part in a voyage that runs during your school or university term. Take into account previous commitments like work and exams. You’ll need to organise your own travel to and from the ship, so consider the voyage arrival and departure ports. The more voyages you apply for the better your chance of being offered a berth.
COVID-19 Safe Voyaging Measures
We have developed a number of COVID-19 safe measures to allow voyages to resume as safely as possible. This includes showing proof of vaccination prior to embarkation. Read more about the COVID-19 safe voyaging measures
Payments and financial reminder
A 20% deposit will be required when you accept a berth. Offers are provisional until you make full payment, usually due eight weeks prior to departure, and all forms are completed, signed, returned and cleared by the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme. Eligible youth may apply for Financial Assistance. A Financial Assistance request can only be made in your application, it can’t be added after you’ve been offered a berth. Check if you are eligible for Financial Assistance.
I’m ready to apply, what’s next?
You can apply online – an application will take about 10 minutes to complete. Have a current photo, your contact details and your Medicare number ready. Your parents must consent to your application if you under 18 years of age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? Check out our FAQs for more information.
What is a ballot?
There is a great number of young people who want to sail with us. To keep things as fair as possible we take applications for about two months and then fill the ship by randomly drawing applicants.
First round offers are generally made around two months after the ballot is announced. If an offer is refused by an applicant, further offers are made until the voyage is full.
Applications are accepted all year round. To maximise your chances of selection, we recommend applying at the start of the ballot and for as many voyages as you can. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to be the first to hear about a new ballot.
Am I penalised if I decline an offer?
No. If you decline an offer you are returned to the ballot for future consideration for any other voyages you have applied for.
Can I change my mind about which voyages I want to sail?
You can amend your application at any time, you can add or remove any voyages presently on offer to your application. If a voyage offer has been made to you, it is too late to change the application for that voyage – you must either accept or refuse the offer.
Can I apply more than once?
Absolutely. If you do not get offered a voyage the first time you apply, please update your application again at the next ballot. In fact you can reapply as many times as you wish as long as you are still aged 16 - 23 when you go on a voyage (ie you can sail up to the day before your 24th birthday).
If I am drawn from the ballot, can I change voyage?
No. To be fair to all applicants, we do not allow for changes between voyages to be made. If you cannot sail on the voyage you are offered, you can refuse it and go back on the application list for the other voyages you selected.
How can I increase my chances of getting a berth?
Statistically, most applicants are on a voyage by the completion of their second ballot. Some voyages are more popular than others (School Holidays for example), so if you only apply for a small number of voyages during peak periods you are less likely to be drawn in the ballot. Your best course of action is to apply for as many voyages in the ballot as you can, but only ones you think you will be able to sail on.
I have applied many times but have never been offered a berth, why?
Ensure that the contact details on your application are correct and that all questions have been answered. Next, give consideration to which voyages you are applying for. If you only ever apply for one voyage in a ballot that is over the school holidays, you will be one applicant among potentially >500 for that voyage. Try applying for more voyages in the next ballot (giving consideration for when you can take the time off).
What happens if I apply after the ballot?
Your name will be added to the list of all applicants for the voyages you have selected. If any spots become vacant, we randomly select an applicant from this list.
I want to encourage someone to apply?
If you work at a School or club we can send you posters and brochures to distribute. Otherwise, tell them to head to our website.
If you have any more questions, check out our FAQs page.
If you have any questions about the application process, get in touch
Our office hours are 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
