THE FITNESS AUSTRALIA REGISTRATION SCHEME

The Fitness Australia registration scheme

Fitness Australia is the peak industry body representing and setting standards for the fitness industry throughout Australia and its work and commitment is national and not restricted to one State.

The state and territory divisions (e.g. fitness Victoria) are Fitness Australia's primary stakeholders and the Board of Management includes a supplier representative and other invited experts. Fitness Australia represents the owners and operators of health and fitness centres in Australia and, through the National Registration Program, over 11,000 registered fitness professionals. Fitness Australia is working with the state associations to encourage uniform business standards across the nation including the development of a network of fitness facilities across Australia that employ Fitness Australia registered fitness professionals.

The Fitness Australia National Fitness Registration Scheme ensures a safe, minimum standard of knowledge and skill for all Fitness Instructors and Fitness Trainers, and provides uniformity between all states and territories in Australia. Only individuals who have current skills and qualifications relevant to the fitness industry can gain registration with Fitness Australia.

Fitness Victoria provides access for Victorian residents to the National Fitness Registration Scheme. Fitness Victoria is committed to working with the industry to improve professional standards within the industry and universal support of the Fitness Australia registration is the first step in this process. Registration with Fitness Australia, via Fitness Victoria and the employment of registered leaders only, will protect you, your business and your future.

The current registration and insurance package has been officially adopted by Fitness Australia. Registration and insurance fees are now standard across all states and territories.

Fitness Australia and its equivalent body in the UK, the Fitness Industry Association, automatically recognise fitness professionals' accreditation between the two countries. The UK Department of Health has recently established standards for fitness professionals and the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). The UK and Australian associations have also agreed to mutually recognise each others respective minimum level registration process (i.e. Fitness Instructor level). If an Australian is intending to work in the UK, they must register with Fitness Australia before leaving. Once in the UK, they can present their registration documentation to the REP and automatic recognition will take place.

The Fitness Australia insurance covers activities in which the applicant has completed appropriate training. The appropriate activities for each of the Certificate III and Certificate IV Fitness Specialisations are defined in the Fitness Australia Instructor Registration Form. Fitness Australia has developed a Code of Ethics for Fitness Professionals and a Disciplinary procedure for those who are not representative of this Code. The desire to provide a safe, unified, consumer friendly and, more importantly, trustworthy industry is paramount to its development and work opportunities for its Fitness Professionals.

The Australian fitness industry is evolving rapidly and employs a diverse workforce, with a broad range of training and expertise. It is recognised from within the fitness industry that along with the evolution of the industry fitness instructors and fitness trainers require increased skills in specific areas such as business, communication etc.

The national recognition of approved training enables workers in the fitness industry to know the training they have received is recognised in other states and territories, and across other industry sectors.