TQ3 - Aquatic Program Instructors

Purpose of this Guideline

To provide guidance to owners or operators of aquatic facilities and/or aquatic programs as to what initial training and entry qualifications are appropriate for those employed or contracted as instructors or leaders of aquatic programs.

Definition

The term ‘instructor’ describes:

• An appropriately qualified person specifically employed (voluntary or paid) or contracted to instruct a person in a skill or set of skills; or
• An appropriately qualified person specifically employed (voluntary or paid) to supervise or lead an aquatic activity, even when supervision or leadership does not involve instruction of specific skills

The term ‘instruction’ describes supervision or leadership of an activity, regardless of whether the supervision or leadership involves instruction of specific skills.

Responsibilities

Aquatic Program Instructors provide information, knowledge and skills to program participants which instruct them in a program conducted in an aquatic environment.

Aqua Exercise Instructors are a type of Aquatic Program Instructor who deliver water-based exercise sessions designed for participation by a group of clients. Sessions may be freestyle, pre-choreographed or circuit style. They also have the skills to rescue a client in distress, and an appropriate level of pool deck fitness and endurance.

Aquatic Program Instructors can plan and instruct individual or group water-based exercise or training sessions and may be called upon to manage and assist with water-based rescues and first aid.

Initial qualifications – all Aquatic Program Instructors

To perform the duties of an Aquatic Program Instructor an individual should hold:

1. The below current nationally recognised unit of competency, or its most recent superseded version, or successive replacement(s), regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent:
   • HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
2. A “Working with Children Check” or equivalent as required by relevant State or Territory legislation; and,
3. A relevant recognised minimum qualification for instruction of the programmed activity from the below role-specific qualifications.

Role-specific qualifications

AQUA EXERCISE INSTRUCTORS

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, an Aqua Exercise Instructor should hold:

1. The current nationally recognised Aqua Exercise Instruction skill set, or most recent superseded version, or successive replacement(s), regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent; or
2. The below current nationally recognised units of competency that make up the Aqua Exercise Instruction skill set, or most recent superseded version of those units, or successive replacements, regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent:
   • HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid
   • HLTWHS001 - Participate in workplace health and safety
   • SISCAQU002 - Perform basic water rescues
   • SISFFIT038 - Plan group water-based exercise sessions
   • SISFFIT039 - Instruct group water-based exercise sessions
   • SISFFIT048 - Use anatomy and physiology knowledge to support safe and effective water-based exercise; or
3. The previous nationally recognised Aqua Exercise Instruction specialisation units of competency from the Certificate III in Fitness (2015-2021), regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent:
   • BSBRSK401 Identify risk and apply risk management processes
   • HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
   • HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety.
   • SISCAQU002 Perform basic water rescues
   • SISCAQU008 Instruct water familiarisation, buoyancy, and mobility skills
   • SISFFIT008 Instruct water-based fitness activities
   • SISFFIT022 Instruct aquatic sessions for specific population groups

SWIMMING COACHES

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, a Swimming Coach should the appropriate accreditation as determined by the relevant national sporting organisation or accrediting body.

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, a Diving Coach should hold the appropriate accreditation as determined by the relevant national sporting organisation or accrediting body.

SPORT OR POOL LIFESAVING COACH

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, a Pool Lifesaving Coach should hold the appropriate accreditation as determined by the relevant national sporting organisation or accrediting body.

SCUBA DIVING INSTRUCTOR

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, a Scuba Diving Instructor should hold a current accreditation with the relevant national sporting organisation or accrediting body.

AQUATIC PHYSIOTHERAPISTS & HYDROTHERAPY

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has defined the specific practice of physiotherapy in water as “aquatic physiotherapy”. It is carried out by a physiotherapist.

Aquatic physiotherapy treatment (individually or in groups) incorporates individual assessment, diagnosis and the use of clinical reasoning skills to formulate a treatment program appropriate to the client. Reassessment is undertaken at the appropriate time by the physiotherapist, with outcome measures recorded in keeping with evidence-based practice.

It is recommended that “hydrotherapy” be used as the generic label for the many activities that occur in a hydrotherapy pool and that providers of aquatic services further define their specific roles.

In the context of this Guideline ‘hydrotherapy’ can be understood as:

• Aquatic Physiotherapy Services
  • Individual
  • Group
  • Classes
  • Physiotherapy prescribed exercise programs
• Water Exercise Services
  • Individual
  • Classes
  • Aquatic personal training

Aquatic physiotherapists and those responsible for provision of hydrotherapy should be trained in CPR and performing water rescues. They should hold either the below nationally recognised unit of competency, or most recent superseded version, or successive replacement(s), regardless of whether deemed equivalent or non-equivalent:

• SISCAQU020 Perform water rescues, or
• The Hydrotherapy Rescue Award (Australian Physiotherapy Association and Royal Life Saving - Australia); or,
• An award for completion of a course in water rescues that is delivered by a facilitator who holds the Hydrotherapy Rescue Award and is delivering the training in line with guidance as set out in the Australian Guidelines for Aquatic Physiotherapists Working in and/or Managing Hydrotherapy Pools (2015).

LIFESAVING INSTRUCTOR (RLSSA BRONZE STAR, MEDALLION, CROSS)

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, a Lifesaving Instructor should hold a current accreditation with the relevant accrediting body.

WATER POLO COACH

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, a Water Polo Coach should hold a current accreditation with the relevant national sporting organisation or accrediting body.

OTHER AQUATIC BASED SPORTS or ACTIVITIES

In addition to the requirements above for all Aquatic Program Instructors, a coach or instructor of any aquatic based sport of activity not listed above should hold the appropriate accreditation as determined by their National Sporting Organisation, industry accreditation body or registration scheme.

REFERENCES

• GSPO Emergency Planning
• GSPO AP3 – Aquatic Program Instructors
• National Register on Vocational Education and Training, training.gov.au
• Australian Resuscitation Council Guideline 9.1.1, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training
• GSPO SV7 Swimming and Water Safety Teachers
• GSPO SV6 Swimming and Water Safety Supervisors
• Australian Standard AS 3745-2002 Emergency control organization and procedures for buildings, structures and workplaces, SAI Global, Sydney

PREVIOUS ISSUES

• Guideline AP3 – AQUATIC PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS, Issue 1, June 2018
• Guideline PR10 Qualifications for Providing Safe Aquatic Programs, Issue 1, January 2001
• Guideline PR10 Qualifications for Providing Safe Aquatic Programs, Issue 2, 2 April 2013