Professional Development
Why is professional development necessary?
The registration system is based on you maintaining your competencies. Completing a qualification is the beginning of your learning. Research is constantly undertaken within various areas of fitness and exercise. You need to maintain your standards and competencies to ensure you are delivering quality programs to the general public with the most up-to-date information.
How do I get Professional Development Points?
We accredit educational programs that contribute to this professional development and as a part of this process, allocate professional development points (PDPs) to the program. You are required to obtain a total of 6 PDPs as proof of professional development over the two year registration term, or within the two years prior to registration renewal. To receive our accreditation, the program must have relevance and value in maintaining the skills required by exercise professionals.
We don’t wish to make this process onerous, and that is why we endeavour to accredit a vast array of workshops and courses, delivered face-to-face, online or by correspondence.
Employment
Evidence of current employment is a very important part of being able to show that you are utilising your qualifications.
- You can obtain 1 PDP with proof of part-time employment (Up to 20 hours per week – for a minimum of 3 months).
- You can obtain 2 PDPs with proof of full-time employment (20 hours + per week – for a minimum of 12 months).
You must submit a signed verification of your employment on your employers letterhead, stating the length of employment, number of hours worked per week and the duties undertaken.
If you are self- employed, you must submit proof of your business operation:
- Business Card or Business Certificate – stating ABN (if applicable).
- Formal letter – stating the number of hours worked each week and the length of time you have been operating in your business.
Educational programs
These are delivered in a variety of formats including face-to-face, online or by correspondence.
It is a requirement that you complete a minimum of two health and fitness educational programs during the term of your registration or during the two years prior to your application for registration renewal.
There is a range of accredited educational programs to choose from. The point allocation of each may vary and may include:
- face-to-face programs
- online programs
- correspondence programs
- attendance at fitness related conferences and events
- higher education or VET fitness related study
- organisation/association subscriptions and/or journal subscriptions (as deemed appropriate by us)
- lecturing/presenting in recognised fitness related training courses
- research projects relevant to the health and fitness industry
Accredited programs are promoted through our List of Accredited Courses and Workshops which lists the program name, provider, contact details, course dates (if supplied) and a direct link to the provider’s website.
Informal recognition
Programs which have not been accredited by us may receive informal recognition.
The point allocation will be determined upon application and on a case-by-case basis. We will endeavour to provide recognition and point allocation for all relevant programs.
You are required to supply thorough details which may include, but are not limited to:
- contact programs you have attended – certificate of completion of the contact program, together with a detailed description of the content
- research projects undertaken – detailed information on the research project completed
- degree subjects you have undertaken – copy of the official academic transcript
- lectures or presentations you have delivered – formal letter from the training organisation detailing your employment as a lecturer or presenter, the subjects presented and length of time employed in this capacity
Upgrading your qualifications
Additional points will be allocated for upgrading qualifications which form part of the National Fitness Industry Training Package superseded by the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package.
- completion of Certificate IV in Fitness or Diploma of Fitness will be allocated 6 points
- completion of a specialisation of the National Fitness Industry Training Package or Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package, eg. Children’s Trainer, will be allocated 3 points
Please Note
- additional points may be allocated to high quality programs as determined by us
- a maximum of 1 point will be granted for approved subscriptions
- we will endeavour to provide PDP recognition for all relevant programs that attract CECs
The approximate conversion of CECs to PDPs:
4 CECs = 1 PDP 5-8 CECs = 2 PDPs 9-15 CECs = 3 PDPs