Fitness courses offered for international students on a Student Visa in Australia

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Australia is renowned for offering an active lifestyle with locals down at the beach every sunrise, come rain or shine. So it’s no wonder fitness is one of the most popular courses on offer for international students with world-famous surf culture, glorious weather and a whole host of sports to try out down under.

Studying fitness will give you incredible opportunities to work within the sport and fitness industry. Our partners offer a range of courses eligible for a student visa in Australia which feature a mixture of practical and theoretical classes. 

Below, find out everything you need to know about fitness courses in Australia for international students from the qualifications you’ll need to future career paths you can take.

What are the entry requirements for Certificate III in Fitness (National Course Code SIS30315 & CRICOS Course Code 089271G?

Entry requirements for fitness courses will vary between colleges but most institutions usually require the below:

• Students from non-English speaking nations: Completed upper intermediate level English or equivalent of IELTS 5. (With no individual band under 5.0). All English evidence provided must be within a 2 year validity period
• Year 10 or equivalent and above (Home country evidence is accepted and must be translated English)
• Essential: An own laptop computer during class and outside of class to meet distance education requirements​​

What are the entry requirements for Certificate IV in Fitness (National Course Code SIS30315 & CRICOS Course Code 089271G?

• Students from non-English speaking nations: Completed upper intermediate level English or equivalent of IELTS 5.5 (With no individual band under 5.0)
• Year 10 or equivalent and above (Home country evidence is accepted and must be translated English); All English evidence provided must be within a 2 year validity period.
• A current first aid and CPR certificate
• Completion of Certificate III in Fitness or at least mandatory entry requirements 
• Essential: Your own laptop during class and outside of class to meet distance education requirements 
  
  

Of course, a high level of personal health and fitness is necessary in order to help others on their journey. It is also recommended that you have a sufficient level of language, literacy and numeracy in order to prepare written reports and to understand assessment tools during your course. 

Good communication is key here as you will need to acquire relationships with clients of different ages and backgrounds.

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What will I learn when studying fitness?

Certificate III in Fitness will vary depending upon the college you choose but most courses will cover the following: 

• How to fitness screen and assess new clients
• How to monitor a client’s fitness level
• How to provide fitness training 
• How to provide advice for clients using exercise equipment
• How to perform administrative duties at a gym or fitness facility
• How to deliver first aid

Certificate IV in Fitness will vary depending upon the college but most courses will cover the following:

• How to plan exercise programs for clients
• How to run a small business
• How to perform client fitness tests

What is the difference between Cert 3 and Cert 4 in Fitness?

The difference is that Certificate III in Fitness is the minimum qualification required to become a fitness instructor, a gym instructor or a group exercise instructor.   

In comparison, Certificate IV in Fitness will enable you to become a personal trainer. This is a higher level course which teaches students skills such as corrective exercise, posture assessment and client management.

What career path can I take after studying fitness?

Certificate III in Fitness 

Many students who pass Certificate III go on to become gym or group instructors in a fitness facility. If you would like to pursue further study, this is also a great pathway to Certificate IV in Fitness.

Certificate IV in Fitness

There are a number of career paths you can take after studying fitness. If you have obtained your Certificate IV, then it is possible to become a personal trainer whether that’s at a fitness facility or independently. 

This qualification also provides the opportunity to work in a number of different businesses including gyms, fitness centres and aquatic facilities.

Certificate IV is also a pathway to further study whether that’s in sports management or another field. Studying fitness will help you to learn skills of which can be applied to a multitude of jobs which require time management, planning projects and good communication.

Visit our careers section to find out more applying for jobs in Australia. ​

Where can I study fitness in Australia?

You can study Certificate III in Fitness and Certificate IV in Fitness throughout Australia from Sydney, Gold Coast and Perth to Melbourne, Brisbane and other cities.

You can easily search for courses on offer in your state of choice using the CRICOS search tool. Some colleges offer monthly intake, quarterly intake or intake per semester (February, July).

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Which is the best fitness course in Australia?

This is completely down to the individual student’s needs and interests. You can find advice on choosing the right course for you on our student blog.

If you have any questions about specific courses, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.

How much does a Certificate in Fitness cost?

The cost of both Certificate III in Fitness and Certificate IV in Fitness will vary depending upon educational institution and location. Most colleges are very flexible with the payment structure. You can pay weekly, monthly, fortnightly or quarterly. A tailored instalment plan can also be created.

Our expert team is up to date with college start dates, prices and timetables. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for free information.

What qualifications do I need to be a personal trainer in Australia?

To become a personal trainer in Australia, you need a Certificate IV in Fitness.

How long does a Certificate in Fitness take?

Course lengths vary depending upon the college and location. But in most colleges you will find similar course lengths. 
 
Certificate III in Fitness 

Full Time – 9 Months (including study weeks and holidays)

Certificate IV in Fitness

Classroom Full Time – 9 Months (including study weeks and holidays)

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What timetable options are there? 

Most colleges can provide a variety of timetable options. 

All Fitness courses qualifying for international students to apply for a student visa must be full time study.

• An example of a day timetable would be two full days from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. 
• An example of an evening timetable would be four evenings from 5.30 pm to 9 pm.

Can I enrol in two courses at the same time with one student visa?

Yes, you can. You can opt for a study package which includes both Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness. Furthermore, you can even add a third course such as Diploma of Sport and Recreation Management, Fitness Stream or other courses. 

If you need help with course timetables and term dates, please contact the Study Online Australia team for free support.