STUDY TO BECOME A GYM INSTRUCTOR
Course Snapshot
There are three different study options available. Full time face-to-face, part time face-to-face or Online.
Each method covers the same material but in a slightly different way, but each method suits different types of people or circumstances. We’re confident that you’ll fit into one of these.
Face to face classes last around 16 weeks for the Certificate III in Fitness, with a total time of up to 12 months to complete the course.
Online students have 12 months to complete their Certificate III in Fitness.
Course Extensions are available if time becomes an issue.
The Practical Placement is an integral component of our qualifications. It is completed in an approved fitness centre and is supervised by a qualified personal trainer in the capacity of your mentor.
The practical placement is 32 hours for Certificate III in Fitness.
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 Consultants on 1300 973 342 or by clicking here to obtain further information.
Our payment plans start from as little as $50/week. They are completely interest free payment plans available to all applicants. That’s right 0% interest, so you can spread out your payments without paying anything extra.
RPL is available if you have studied a very similar course or degree, or have already undertaken many of the topics with another provider. Ask a Careers Advisor for more information.
The Certificate III in Fitness is the minimum qualification required to commence working as a qualified Gym Instructor.
If you’re looking for a career as a Personal Trainer, check out our Certificate III & IV in Fitness combined course.
Study Structure
Not everyone prefers to learn in the same way or has the same lifestyle and work commitments. Therefore we can offer you the choice of study options:
- Online course (Online | Self-paced)
- Face to face course – full time and part time (Melbourne)
Unsure which option is best for you? Our career advisors can assist in determining which study mode would best suit you.
Point of reassurance: If you find a certain study mode isn’t suitable, you can request to transfer depending on your circumstances. NB: Course fees differ between online and face-to-face delivery, therefore you will be required to pay the difference if applicable. For full terms and conditions, please see our student handbook.
You have up to 12 months to complete your Certificate III in Fitness online if needed, commencing the course whenever it suits you. That’s the bonus of flexible study.
Online learning includes access to all course materials, with student support services available if you have any queries or require assistance with your coursework. You can contact our student support team as often as you like. Throughout your course you complete practical work in fitness centres to perfect your skills and are assessed via the practical placements, case studies, written assessments and online quizzes.
Once you have enrolled and paid the initial deposit, you will receive an email and SMS confirming your login details for the Learner Management System and how to access it.
The Learner Management System will be your portal to all coursework, assessments, quizzes and student support. We’ll provide you with a schedule to help you plan your study time but there are no set dates in which modules need to be completed – this is completely self-managed. Be sure to keep your login details in a safe place!
The practical placement (work experience) is completed at an approved fitness centre under the supervision of a qualified mentor Personal Trainer. Most students will be able to access an approved facility and mentor at a location convenient to them. Should you have any difficulties securing placement, AFA can utilise our industry partnerships to assist you to find a suitable facility and mentor.
Point of reassurance: If you need extra time to complete your Certificate III in Fitness, we can provide a 3 month extension to students for added convenience. There is an additional administrative fee for extensions – simply contact us to discuss.
Face-to-face study involves attending classes at our Melbourne campus. As with the online students, you also have access to our extensive online resources and our student support team for after-hours assistance. Studying face-to-face includes both theory and practical sessions at our fully equipped Training Centre. This course can be studied both full-time and part-time:
Full-time (Melbourne): In-class attendance 2 days per week, plus additional home study.
Part-time (Melbourne): Evening attendance 2 nights per week (around 6.15pm – 9.45pm), plus additional home study.
Face-to-face Course Process
Once you have enrolled and paid the initial deposit, you will receive an email and SMS confirming your course timetable and login details for the Learner Management System.
As a part of your course requirements, students must also complete:
- 32 hours of placement for the Certificate III in Fitness
You can perform your placement at an approved fitness centre or Personal Training Studio under the supervision of a qualified mentor Personal Trainer. Most students will be able to access an approved facility and mentor at a location convenient to them. Should you have any difficulties securing placement, AFA can utilise our industry partnerships to assist you to find a suitable facility and mentor.
There are many benefits of completing practical placements in real facilities. You get access to real clients and are supervised by industry professionals who are currently working as personal trainers. We also find that many of our students gain work in the fitness centres where they complete the placements.
Course fees are dependent on study mode and whether you are eligible for Government funding.
After this is paid, you set up a regular INTEREST FREE direct debit to pay off the remainder of your course fee in instalments. The payment plan is arranged to suit you – it can be weekly or fortnightly payments on the day of your choice. The minimum payment is $50 per week or $100 per fortnight until the end of the contract.
This means no debts, no interest paid and no deductions from your salary for years to come.
Obtaining your First Aid qualification is a requirement of the Certificate III in Fitness and a prerequisite to register and work within the fitness industry. Australian Fitness Academy offers HLTAID003 Apply First Aid.
Please contact us for more information.
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 Consultants on 1300 973 342 or by clicking here to obtain further information.
More information on eligibility requirements can be found here.
More information on the Queensland Certificate 3 Guarantee program can be found here.
Australian Fitness Academy’s RPL process offers prospective students a potentially quicker way to obtain the Certificate III and IV in Fitness qualifications. Undertaking the RPL process allows applicants to use their past qualifications and work related experience in order to match the current unit of competencies that make up a Certificate III in Fitness. Upon review of an RPL application, prospective students will be informed as to exactly what modules (if any) they need to complete in order to obtain their qualifications.
Download the Certificate III in Fitness RPL Application kit here.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Find out more about Australian Fitness Academy’s courses, policies, terms & conditions processes by downloading the Student Handbook. To register your interest in any future courses please call Australian Fitness Academy on 1300 232 348 or contact us.
Certificate III in Fitness upcoming enrolment dates
Face-to-face courses:
29th January 2019
Tuesdays & Thursdays
CAULFIELD CAMPUS
Contact us for more information on this course.
Enquire online or call us on 1300 232 348.
18th February 2019
(Part-time)
Tuesday & Thursday Evenings
(6:15pm – 9:45pm)
Saturday
(9am – 4pm)
CAULFIELD CAMPUS
Contact us for more information on this course.
Enquire online or call us on 1300 232 348.
Online courses:
1st November 2018
Self-paced
ONLINE CAMPUS
This course may be at capacity. Contact us for more information.
Enquire online or call us on 1300 232 348
15th November 2018
Self-paced
ONLINE CAMPUS
Reserve your spot now.
Enquire online or call us on 1300 232 348
* Course dates are subject to change. Please speak to the AFA Careers Advisors for more information and availability.
Established Employment Pathways
Once you've completed your Certificate III in Fitness, you'll be able to start applying for jobs to work in gyms as a fitness instructor. Many students decide to work whilst studying their Certificate IV in Fitness, to gain more experience and an income.
Fitness Careers & Jobs Boards
We are regularly contacted by businesses within the industry looking for Personal Trainers, Gym Instructors, Group Exercise Instructors and more. These positions are promoted through the AFA Job Board and Sportspeople Job Board.
If starting your own PT business is more your thing then you’ll need to study the Certificate IV in Fitness also, which covers a range of topics that help set you on the right path to building your own business and also includes the exclusive AFA ‘Ready, Set, GROW!’ ebook.
“I could not speak highly enough of my experience studying Cert 3 & 4 at Australian Fitness Academy.
The staff are exceptional and were always happy to help me understand what was required as a student and assist with any queries I may have had. I would recommend AFA to anyone looking to work in the fitness industry.”