Gain all the knowledge and skills you need to enter the industry as a Gym Instructor or Group Exercise Instructor and start working in a field you are passionate about.
If you’re looking to begin your career in the fitness industry, studying the SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness is the perfect qualification to get you started.
This qualification will teach you how to conduct health and fitness assessments on clients and use the information to develop tailored fitness programs to achieve their goals.
You will also learn how to analyse movement to enable you to assist gym members with correct technique and equipment usage, as well as the ability to deliver and instruct Group Fitness sessions.
This qualification is a great stepping stone toward studying the Certificate IV in Fitness and taking the next step to become a Personal Trainer.
Study Options
We recognise that not everyone prefers to learn in the same way or has the same work and lifestyle commitments.
That’s why we offer our students the choice to study either;
Online
Face to FaceOur online personal training course is self-paced and can be completed from any location within Australia, while our face-to-face classes are held at AFA HQ in Melbourne.
These study options are designed to cater to the individual needs of students. Irrespective of the method of study, all students cover the same course content and complete the same assessments to ensure there is the consistency of learning across each study option.
Unsure which option is best for you?
Get in touch with our Career Advisors to discuss which study
mode would best suit you.
Online Study
Our Online Certificate III Course is designed to give you the flexibility to study while also maintaining regular work and lifestyle commitments.
You have up to 12 months to complete the online course that can be studied at your own pace, so you are able to work through the course materials and assessments when it best suits you.
Studying online through our fitness academy provides you with access to our Learner Management System. This portal will be your hub for all course content, video presentations, assessments, quizzes and student support. We’ll provide you with a schedule to help you plan your study time, however there are no set dates in which modules need to be completed – this is completely self-managed.
Our Student Support services are readily-available to assist you and help you progress throughout your course. If you have any questions regarding assessments or coursework, your dedicated Student Support Officers can be contacted anytime.
Face-To-Face Study
Face-to-face study involves attending classes at our Melbourne campus. There are two methods of face-to-face classes:
Full-time:
This course can be studied during the week with in-class attendance 2 days per week (9am to 4pm), plus additional home study. Classes run for 14 weeks for the Certificate III, with a total time of up to 6 months to complete the course.
Part-time:
This course can be studied during weeknights and weekends via one virtual session and two in-class sessions per week, plus additional home study. Classes run for 14 weeks for the Certificate III, with a total time of up to 6 months to complete the course.
During this time you will work through the course content with our lecturers and complete theory and practical sessions in our purpose-built Personal Training facility at AFA HQ. You will also have access to the online Learner Management System so you can review course material and complete the required quizzes and assessments.
You will be thoroughly supported throughout your studies by our Student Support team and dedicated face-to-face lecturers, who are available to be contacted anytime.
Practical Placement
The Practical Placement component of the our fitness qualifications provides a great opportunity to put the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the course into practice, helping you gain valuable experience in a real-life industry setting.
You can perform your placement at an approved fitness centre or Personal Training Studio of your choice under the supervision of a qualified Personal Trainer. Should you have any difficulties securing placement, AFA can utilise our industry partnerships to assist you to find a suitable facility and mentor.
We find that many of our students go on to find employment in the fitness centres where they complete placement or through the connections they make throughout their work experience.
- The Work Experience requirement is 32 hours of practical placement
Certificate III in Fitness Course Syllabus
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Client Screening & Assessment
- Health & Safety
- Programming & Instruction (Gym Programs)
- Programming & Instruction (Group Fitness)
- Provide First Aid
- Principles of Nutrition
- and more…
For Your Information
Government Funding
There are some State Government initiatives available for eligible applicants to access funding to assist them to complete qualifications. As these initiatives often change, it is recommended you contact our Careers Advisors on 1300 232 348 or by clicking here to obtain further information.
More information on eligibility requirements can be found here.
Payment Plans
Our interest-free payment plans allow you to study from as little as $50 a week or $100 a fortnight. We only require a $100 deposit to get started, so there’s no large upfront costs or big student loan debts to worry about.
Course fees vary depending on mode of study and whether you are eligible for Government Funding.
Recognised Prior Learning
If you have studied a course in a similar field or have completed units with another provider, you may be eligible for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL).
Undertaking the RPL process allows applicants to use their past qualifications and work-related experience to match the current unit of competencies that make up the Certificate III in Fitness.
Once our Student Support team have reviewed the RPL application, prospective students are informed of the units that have been credited and the remaining components of the course they will need to complete to gain their qualifications.
Ask our Careers Advisors for more information on this.
Download the Certificate III in Fitness RPL Application Kit here.
First Aid Qualification
First Aid is a required unit within the Certificate III in Fitness. If you choose to study our face to face course, First Aid is included as a timetabled class.
Our online course does not include First Aid. Students studying the Certificate III online in Victoria can arrange to complete the First Aid unit at AFA, for an additional cost of $100.
Alternatively, students can complete the First Aid unit with another provider and supply a copy of the qualification to AFA to be credited for the First Aid component of their course.
The required unit is HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.
To satisfy the assessment requirements of SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness, students must have the physical capability to perform CPR on the floor and perform practical demonstrations of specific cardio and resistance exercises.
Australian Fitness Academy offers flexible learning and assessment strategies for individuals who have disability, learning needs or who require additional support.
If you think you’ll be unable to meet these requirements, contact our Careers Team about how we can accommodate you.
Upcoming Online Course Dates
Upcoming Online Course Dates
20th July 2025
Upcoming Face-to-face Course Dates
Upcoming Face-to-face Course Dates
22nd July 2025
This course is Nationally Recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
PLEASE NOTE: AFA is not CRICOS-approved, which means you won’t be able to study this course if you are in Australia on a student visa or are looking to apply for one. For more information about CRICOS-approved courses, click here.
Want some more information?
Feel free to contact us on 1300 232 348 or download our FREE Info Pack via the enquiry form below:
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