Key details
Duration
The length of time to complete this qualification will depend on the location, study mode and selected units.
* - Student Visa holders must study internally full time
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCourse code
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of personal trainers who have specialist skills to train individual clients, or groups of clients, on a one-on-one or group basis, to improve health-related components of fitness in relatively low risk situations. This may include training of older clients and children.
They have a substantial depth of knowledge to plan, conduct and evaluate exercise training; provide leadership and guidance to clients and other staff; and deal with unpredictable situations applying defined guidelines and procedures from the fitness industry and the organisation.
They work independently or with limited guidance from others and use discretion to solve non-routine problems, including monitoring and managing business activities to operate efficiently and profitably.
The qualification does not provide the skills and knowledge for an individual to provide advice or exercise instruction to high risk clients, other than to refer the client to an appropriate medical or allied health professional.
This qualification provides a pathway to work in a diversity of fitness industry businesses including fitness centres, gyms, aquatic facilities, community facilities and in open spaces, where risk management (through risk assessment and hazard control processes) does not already exist.
Career opportunities
Occupations relevant to this qualification in industry sectors such as Fitness Industry include:
>Personal Trainer
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Skill recognition
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is the acknowledgement of a person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience, which may be used to grant status or credit in a subject regardless of how and where they were attained, including overseas.
This can include skills from:
- Previous study excluding courses at another VET/TAFE institution, but including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work;
- Work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and/or
- Life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).
RPL is a form of assessment. It is used to determine whether a person has acquired, through formal or informal learning, the skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced, so there are no parameters on how or when the skills are acquired. However, the skills that have been acquired through life experience etc., must be current and must match the elements and performance criteria contained in the individual unit.
Students seeking RPL need to indicate this on their enrolment form at the time of enrolment.
For further information please refer to the Applicant's Guide to the Recognition of Prior Learning or contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (free call) or email Student.Central@cdu.edu.au.
Credit Transfer
Charles Darwin University as a Registered Training Organisation recognises the Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications and Statement of Attainments issued by any other Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Students are encouraged to submit any requests for credit from previous studies at the time of enrolment, to ensure they are not enrolling in units they may not need to undertake.
In order to apply for exemption/credit transfer from units completed at another training organisation, you will need to complete an Application for Exemption Form available from any campus, centre, or team, or a copy of the form can be obtained from the web.
Your completed Application for Exemption form together with attached documentary evidence (certified copy of Qualification/Statement of Attainment) to support your request for exemption/credit transfer should be submitted directly to the University either in person or by mail. Requests without documentary evidence will not be processed and will be returned to students. There are no fees attached to Credit Transfers.
Pathways
VET to Higher Education Pathway Mapping for completed Awards in the same field or discipline.
Students who successfully complete VET qualifications at the Certificate IV level or above and subsequently enrol in a Bachelor degree in the same field or discipline, will receive advanced standing as detailed in the table below.
Completed Award Course Level
|
HE
|
VET
|
to a HE Award
|
Credit granted for a completed award in the same field
|
Certificate IV
|
*
|
3 year Bachelor award
|
up to 40 credit points
|
|
Certificate IV
|
*
|
4 year Bachelor award
|
up to 40 credit points
|
|
Diploma
|
*
|
*
|
3 year Bachelor award
|
up to 80 credit points
|
Diploma
|
*
|
*
|
4 year Bachelor award
|
up to 80 credit points
|
Advanced Diploma
|
*
|
*
|
3 year Bachelor award
|
up to 160 credit points
|
Advanced Diploma
|
*
|
*
|
4 year Bachelor award
|
up to 160 credit points
|
Associate Degree
|
*
|
3 year Bachelor award
|
up to 160 credit points
|
|
Associate Degree
|
*
|
4 year Bachelor award
|
up to 160 credit points
|
On completion of this qualification credit(s) may be available into Higher Education courses.
Fees
2022 Course fee for students who are eligible for an NT Government supported place is $4,007.50, and for students who are not eligible is $14,312.50.
Why study at CDU?
Study with the Territory's largest provider of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and gain industry-ready skills and experience. Whether you're a high school student or a working professional, we've got the courses and qualifications you want plus the support and flexibility you need to succeed.
- Learn from expert lecturers and industry professionals
- Access to first-class facilities
- Recognition of prior learning to qualify faster
What will I study?
To achieve a Certificate IV in Fitness a total of Twenty (20) units of competency must be completed comprising Twelve (12) Core and Eight (8) Elective units as detailed in the packaging rules and listed below.
Course structure
The total Nominal Hours for the sequence listed below is 1145.
Code | Module/Unit of Competency |
Hours |
CORE UNITS OF COMPETENCY | ||
SISFFIT013 | Instruct exercise to young people aged 13 to 17 years | 90 |
SISFFIT015 | Collaborate with medical and allied health professionals in a fitness context | 60 |
SISFFIT016 | Provide motivation to positively influence exercise behaviour | 45 |
SISFFIT017 | Instruct long-term exercise programs | 55 |
SISFFIT018 | Promote functional movement capacity | 45 |
SISFFIT019 | Incorporate exercise science principles into fitness programming | 55 |
SISFFIT020 | Instruct exercise programs for body composition goals | 50 |
SISFFIT021 | Instruct personal training programs | 70 |
SISFFIT023 | Instruct group personal training programs | 70 |
SISFFIT025 | Recognise the dangers of providing nutrition advice to clients | 15 |
SISFFIT026 | Support healthy eating through the Eat for Health Program | 60 |
SISXRES001 | Conduct sustainable work practices in open spaces | 60 |
Total nominal hours for core units | 675 | |
ELECTIVE UNITS OF COMPETENCY | ||
BSBSMB401 | Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business | 60 |
BSBSMB403 | Market the small business | 50 |
BSBSMB404 | Undertake small business planning | 50 |
BSBSMB405 | Monitor and manage small business operations | 45 |
SISFFIT007 | Instruct group exercise sessions | 80 |
SISFFIT011 | Instruct approved community fitness programs | 40 |
SISFFIT012 | Instruct movement programs to children aged 5 to 12 years | 90 |
SISFFIT024 | Instruct endurance programs | 55 |
Total nominal hours for elective units | 470 | |
Total nominal hours for the qualification | 1145 |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
CDU Domestic Entry Requirements
Students must be 18 years or older to be eligible to enrol in this qualification.
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold a current first aid and CPR certificate and have been recognised as competent through a recognised training program or recognition process against the following units of competency:
- SISFFIT001 Provide health screening and fitness orientation
- SISFFIT002 Recognise and apply exercise considerations for specific populations
- SISFFIT003 Instruct fitness programs
- SISFFIT004 Incorporate anatomy and physiology principles into fitness programming
- SISFFIT005 Provide healthy eating information
- SISFFIT006 Conduct fitness appraisals
- SISFFIT014 Instruct exercise to older clients
- SISXCCS001 Provide quality service
Prior to enrolling in SIS40215 Certificate IV in Fitness, students will be required to participate in an enrolment session with the course coordinator who will explain the course structure, requirements and expectations. All students will be required to complete a learner support indicator to determine any learner support requirements.
External (self-paced) students will need to gain access to a 'Fitness Mentor' who holds the Diploma in Fitness (or equivalent qualification), and who is willing to supervise the student for the duration of their studies.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
I wanted to turn my regular job into my dream job, and the Charles Darwin University course offered exactly what I needed: practical skills.
Yulia
CDU Student

Course details
Accreditation
This is a current, nationally accredited qualification from the SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package.
Employability skills
Employability Skills are embedded in the training and assessment of national training package qualifications. Information on the Employability Skills relevant to your qualification can be obtained by visiting this website and keying in the national code for the qualification: training.gov.au
Location and study mode
Delivery is subject to sufficient demand and resources.
Locations: Casuarina, Online
Study Mode: On campus and off campus
Subject to demand other locations and modes may become available throughout the year.
Additional information
Contact details
Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.au. Phone: (08) 8946 7766 or 1800 061 963 (free call). |
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How to apply
How to apply for domestic students
CDU VET has several pathways for you to apply.
Visit How to apply for CDU VET courses for more information.
Admission requirements for domestic students
Before applying, you may want to check if you meet the admission requirements for studying with CDU.
CDU has many pathways to study, so don't worry if you don't meet the admission requirements right now. There is a study pathway to get you started on your journey.
Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?
That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.
To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.
How to apply for international students
Applications to CDU must be submitted online.
The process is simple, all you need is a valid email address to create your online account.
Once you have started the application you will have the option of saving your application and resuming it at a later date.
There is no application fee when you apply online.
Find a CDU agent partner
Applicants may seek further information about international education in Australia from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training or from our overseas / external representatives.
To help with the process, we've compile a list of authorised representatives.
Not sure if you are a domestic or international student?
That's OK - it can be a little tricky to know the difference.
To help you out, we've put together a guide to answer any questions you might have.
Things like the difference between domestic and international students or the difference between course types like VET and undergraduate.
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