Overview
Turn your passion for fitness into your career as a gym instructor or group exercise instructor with Victoria University Polytechnic’s Certificate III in Fitness SIS30321.
You’ll plan and deliver group exercise sessions and develop customised programs for clients. You’ll also learn the latest styles of training from our industry-leading teachers and gain essential skills in:
- fitness session design and instruction
- anatomy and physiology principles
- fitness appraisals
- exercise instruction for older clients
- health screening
- workplace health and safety
- first aid and risk management.
You'll have access to Victoria University’s $68 million sport precinct that includes an aquatic centre, commercial gym with the latest equipment and group exercise spaces. You'll also gain hands-on work experience in a supported learning environment at our custom designed teaching gym on campus.
Learning advice
VU's Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.
Library & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Join an information session
VU Polytechnic is running a series of information sessions that cover course structure, industry connections, placement opportunities, and pathways to further study.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
Careers in fitness
Once you've qualified, you'll be able to apply for employment opportunities as a:
- group exercise instructor
- fitness instructor at leisure and community centres
- gym instructor.
You'll also be eligible to apply for registration with key industry bodies including Physical Activity Australia and Fitness Australia.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
To be awarded the SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, consisting of:
* eleven (11) core units, and;
* four (4) elective units, consisting of:
- a minimum of two (2) units and maximum of four (4) units from the elective unit list below, and/ or; - a maximum of two (2) units may be selected elsewhere in the SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package, or any other current training package or accredited course.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core Units
-
- Unit code
- BSBOPS304
-
- Unit code
- BSBPEF301
-
- Unit code
- HLTAID011
-
- Unit code
- HLTWHS001
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT032
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT033
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT035
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT036
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT040
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT047
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT052
Elective Units
-
- Unit code
- SISCCRO001
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT037
-
- Unit code
- SISXFAC002
-
- Unit code
- SISXDIS001
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of instructors who perform a range of activities and functions within the fitness industry. Depending on the specialisation chosen, this qualification provides a pathway to work as an instructor providing exercise instruction for group, or gym programs. They work independently with some level of autonomy in a controlled environment such as fitness, leisure, aquatic and community centres where risks are managed through pre-existing risk assessment and hazard control processes.
Individuals who deliver exercise sessions designed for participation by a group of clients with a mix of ages/fitness levels. Sessions may be freestyle, pre-choreographed or circuit style. These individuals instruct and demonstrate complete exercise sessions to groups with limited individual interaction.
Individuals who provide individually tailored client assessments, provide technique correction as needed, and develop and demonstrate programs. They also provide supervision of a facility or service, keep equipment clean, tidy and well maintained, and handle various customer inquiries.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
As part of the application process applicants undertake a Pre-Training Review (PTR) and are required to complete a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine their suitability for the course and any supports required.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 2 October 2023
- 29 January 2024
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
