College Life

INTRODUCTION

The best way for us to introduce you to college life is for YOU to hear from some of our present students:

"Everywhere you go you are being encouraged and propelled forward." - Katie

"It's a life building culture - a culture of encouragement. You always feel compelled to grow and step up in every area of life, from the spiritual to the completely practical." Sarah

"After being here for 2 years, one of my favorite memories is getting together once a week and discussing Theology with a group of classmates." - Ben

"You come from all over the world to one place and you can find someone from the other side of the world on the same journey as you with the same passions. And you really can learn so much from each other. That's extraordinary." - Kaitlyn

Accommodation

Cost of Living

It is recommended that you budget between $250 - $350 per week, per person. This would cover accommodation, electricity, food, local phone calls, some transport and some general living costs. These figures are guidelines only.

Accommodation Options

The College will use a best endeavours basis to secure suitable accommodation through local real estate agents (realtors) and then sub-leases to our students. Such accommodation is subject to availability and market conditions. In some cases students may be temporarily housed with other students until new property becomes available.

Students can also arrange their own accommodation if they do not require Hillsong College's assistance.

College Accommodation

Hillsong College leases apartments and/or houses in the community which are then sublet to students. You will need to sign a Rental Contract when you arrive. The arrangement for accommodation is for a minimum period of one complete semester of study.

Students pay rent every two weeks by one of the following options: credit card, direct deposit from an Australian bank account, or BPay via phone/internet. It is necessary for all students within the Hillsong College Accommodation system to keep up to date with rental payments. Students who continuously fail to pay their rent on time may be suspended from college and may be asked to vacate their accommodation.

Upon their arrival, students are required to pay a $175 AUD deposit for their utilities and a $150 maintenance deposit. The Utility Deposit will be used to cover final bills (electricity, gas, water) at the end of the student’s tenancy, and the balance refunded back to the student.

Hills Accommodation

Mainly suburban houses, generally located around two main student residential communities: Bella Vista (10 minutes walk from campus) or Glenwood (20-30 minutes walk from campus).
Houses vary widely in size and are shared between 5 to 10 students (medium-sized 3 or 4 bedroom homes up to very large 7 or 8 bedroom residences). Most houses are shared between 5 to 7 students.
Mixture of single and shared rooms.
Average rent varies according to market conditions and currently ranges from $120-$145 per week, per person.
Married accommodation available (rent charged per person).
Mostly unfurnished, but limited fully furnished housing is also available
Where students are single, males share with males and females with females

City Accommodation

Mixture of apartments and houses, generally located around two main student residential communities: Waterloo (10-15 minutes from campus) or Maroubra (40 minutes from campus, 5 minutes from the beach.)
Accommodation is generally shared between 4 to 6 students (2 or 3 shared bedrooms per apartment).
Shared rooms only.
Average rent varies according to market conditions and currently ranges from $180-$190 per week, per person.
Married accommodation available (rent charged per person).
Where studente are single, males share with males and females with females

Married Couples

Married couples can apply for college accommodation in the same manner as single students but should remember that all costs are calculated per person. We suggest a weekly budget as a couple will start from $500 per week including bills, food and minimal transport cost.

Families

We encourage families to source their own accommodation privately, due to the different size and requirements of each family. We have a team of married students ready to assist you and in many cases even house you for a short period, until suitable accommodations can be found. College will be in contact with helpful information to guide you through this process. Before arriving you can visit the following websites: www.realestate.com.au or www.domain.com.au. Search for suburbs surrounding our Hills campus within walking distance or a 10-20 minute drive from campus: Bella Vista, Baulkham Hills, Glenwood, Stanhope Gardens, Kellyville, Kellyville Ridge, Blacktown, Seven Hills, Rouse Hill and Castle Hill. Most of these suburbs have schools close by.

Please note that the Australian Government requires that school age children must be enrolled in a school before arrival. See www.immi.gov.au

A Typical Week

As a student, throughout the week you will be involved in several core aspects of College and Church life:

Classes four days per week (and possibly one evening)
Two church services over a weekend
Connect Groups one night a week
Rehearsals Thursday night (for Worship Music TV/Media, Production and Dance).
Youth Friday night (for students in the youth leadership pathways as well as those students who choose to become youth leaders)
Occasional Hillsong Church Leadership Vision Nights on a Tuesday Evening

Connect Groups

Hillsong Church has a network of Connect Groups that covers the city of Sydney and plays an integral role in the life and growth of the Church. A connect group is a small gathering of 5 - 15 people with the purpose of members forming relationships, building community and studying the Word of God together.

Connect Groups provide you with an opportunity to build relationships outside of College, receive pastoral care, use your gifts and College training, and develop as a leader. As Connect Groups play such a crucial role in church life, students are expected to be a part of a Connect Group on a minimum fortnightly basis, either at Hillsong Church or their home church. You can find out more about connect groups here.

Conferences

Students are required to participate in conferences held throughout the year, including Colour Your World Women's Conference, Hillsong Conference and Hillsong Men's Conference. These conferences are having a national and international impact and students will experience the life-changing privilege of being involved in them. Students are required to be available during the day and evening and will need to notify employers of their lack of availability during conferences.

Graduation

In late November - early December each year, the College celebrates graduation at the Graduation Dinner and Ceremony. Attendance at the Graduation Dinner, Ceremony and scheduled rehearsals is compulsory for all students (graduating and continuing). Students are not to leave for holidays until after Graduation week has concluded.

Weekend Service Ministry

As students are in training for church ministry and leadership, and since weekend services are a focal point of church life, attendance and ministry in weekend church services are a central part of the College curriculum. These form an integral part of the Leadership subjects at all levels.

New arrivals to Australia are expected to make Hillsong Church (City, Hills, Southwest or Brisbane) their home church. Students who already attend a local church in the Sydney Metropolitan/Brisbane area are encouraged to remain and become actively involved in that church.

Student Handbook

A vital lifeline for all students. Please download here.