Starting your Own Business
Congratulations you have successfully completed your Certificate III or IV in Fitness! It is now time to set yourself up to start working in the industry. Here are a few key steps to get your career in the fitness industry off to a flying start and help people achieve their fitness goals.
1. Registration for Fitness Professionals
The first step is to register with an official industry body. Most gyms and council-run facilities require fitness professionals to be registered. Planning to run your own personal training business? Registration is also beneficial to you – you will receive industry support and ongoing development opportunities.
REGISTER WITH US TODAY FOR JUST $199
Physical Activity Australia’s minimum registration requirements are:
- Certificate III in Fitness
- A copy of current Level 2 First Aid qualification or equivalent and current CPR qualification. Equivalent workplace first aid qualifications are also acceptable with appropriate proof.
Find out more about registration for fitness professionals here.
2. Insurance for Fitness Professionals
If you intend to be self employed as a fitness professional it is important that you equip yourself with the appropriate professional indemnity insurance. If you are planning to work for smeone else, make sure that you check that their insurance covers you. It is good practice to ask about this upfront to ensure you know what’s covered and what isn’t. Sometimes you may be working as an employee, and other times as a contractor so double checking your insurance can save you a headache.
Physical Activity Australia has now partnered with JLT Sport to provide you with comprehensive and affordable public liability and professional indemnity insurance cover. So, if you are a Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, Pilates Instructor, Boot Camp Trainer or related fitness qualified professional then JLT are the leaders in sports insurance and want to help you with a tailored insurance policy to meet your business needs.
To take out a policy with JLT Sport, you can apply directly on their website. To discuss your insurance further call JLT Sport directly on 1300 130 373.
Pricing Guidelines
The below pricing guidelines are provided by JLT Sport. For further information visit the JLT website,
Sprint Level $100 – 1 year package
Public Liability $10 Million
Professional Indemnity $5 Million
Marathon Level $130 – 1 year package
Public Liability $20 Million
Professional Indemnity $10 Million
3. Choosing Your Business Structure
There are four commonly used business structures in Australia:
For more information see the ATO website.
4. Business Registration
If you plan to work for yourself, you need to register for an Australian Business Number (ABN). You can register for an ABN through this website.
5. Registering a Business Name
A business name is the name your business operates under. You need to register a business name if you conduct business under a name other than your own.
6. Permits
Check with your local council to see if you need a permit to train clients in local parks. Council will require a copy of you qualifications, insurance and professional registration. If you are using parks in different Council areas, you will need separate permits for each area. Here are a few helpful links:
- Permit for Sports or Personal Training on Public Land or Council Facilities – Victoria
- Permits for Personal Training Brisbane City Council
- Commercial fitness training in City parks Gold Coast
- Fitness Activity Permit – Personal Trainers & Fitness Groups – City of Adelaide
- Personal training and group fitness classes – City of Sydney
7. Understand Your Rights
If you are employed by an organisation and are unsure about your rights as an employee in relation to contracts, pay rates, hours, awards and agreements, visit the Australian Government Fair Work Ombudsman website.
8. Networks
Start building a referral network of allied health professionals that you can work alongside with. This is vital when you have a client that may have an issue outside of your scope of practice and realm of expertise. Physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors and general practitioners are all valuable contacts.
9. Plan
Build a business plan to keep you on track. Your plan can be quite simple but will provide a structured strategy to reach your identified goals.
When writing your business plan, read the following useful information:
- Why do I need a business plan – to understand how a business plan can assist in guiding the success of your business.
- Before writing your plan – for things to consider including researching your idea, your competitors and the market place.
- How to write a business plan – to help you get started using our free template.
- Tips for preparing or updating your plan – to assist you in the business planning process.
10. Marketing your Business
Once up and running you may want to learn more about how to market your business. See our helpful tools form the Trainer’s Toolkit:
- Marketing your business
- Using social media to promote your business
- Resources for outsourcing digital media
See Also
- Pre-exercise screening template for new clients – Use this pre exercise screening template for your new clients and keep it on file
- Client program template – Example template for your client program
- Trainer’s Toolkit – our go to page with helpful information and tools for fitness professionals
- Plan & Start – for information on non-tax-specific information, tools and resources to help you with starting your business on business.gov.au
- Taking on an employee checklist – know what to consider when taking on an employee, such as pay rates, workplace health and safety, workers’ compensation and more.
- ABN Lookup – check that businesses you deal with have an active ABN and whether they are registered for GST.
We have provided you with a range of tools to help you start signing up and training clients. Give us a call
on 1300 784 467 if you have any questions.