Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Qualification Review
Overview
The Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Qualification Review will critically evaluate and update qualifications in the sector to ensure they align with current industry needs, regulatory requirements, safety, and wellbeing outcomes. We aim to enhance the relevance and applicability of qualifications to create clear and sustainable career pathways and to support existing and future growth in the industry.
Endorsement and Implementation
Finalisation and Submission
Consultations
Validation Consultation
The purpose of validation consultation is to confirm that draft training products reflect current industry needs and workforce requirements, appropriately address stakeholder feedback, are practical and implementable, and are fit for purpose before finalisation and submission.
During our consultation phase, we received a large amount of detailed stakeholder feedback. Not all feedback was unanimous and we held additional meetings with subject matter experts to guide outcomes in those cases. The validation round acts as a final check, where we ask if you can support the proposed training products as a workable compromise.
The revised outdoor recreation and leadership training products will be made available through our new consultation portal. To access the portal, you will need to be registered for project updates. Once the documents are ready for review, those registered for project updates will receive an email with a link providing access to the portal. Learn more about using the consultation portal.
Public validation begins on Tuesday 21 July 2026 and will close Tuesday 18 August 2026.
Additional Project Input Opportunities
Consultation October - November 2025
As part of our Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Qualification Review, we invited registered training organisations, educational experts, subject matter experts, industry bodies, unions, employers, providers, employers, First Nations people and other invested people to attend a consultation workshop. These workshops were held help us to:
- understand industry changes and the skills, knowledge, practice and requirements needed for Certificate III and Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications
- understand current challenges, gaps, opportunities and potential solutions
- identify and inform changes for the qualifications, units of competency and skill sets
- identify functions that are common across all settings/specific settings and pathways within the sector
- gain advice on the development of resources, guidance on delivery and pathways information.
Between 21 October and 20 November 2025, we held workshops in Brisbane, Cairns, Port Augusta, Penrith, Adelaide, Wollongong, Melbourne, Perth, Busselton and online. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the consultations. We received an outstanding level of engagement through surveys and workshops, and we truly appreciate the time and insights shared by everyone. Your feedback has been invaluable and is documented in the Consultation log.
Subject Matter Expert Pool: May 2025 – September 2026
A pool of over 100 subject matter experts (SMEs) has been formed to provide input on the content of various qualification units. SMEs have extensive experience in leading, running or teaching outdoor recreation and leadership and have a strong understanding of good practice. We will conduct several meetings with SMEs throughout the project and SMEs will also have the opportunity to contribute in writing.
Industry Conferences 2024 - 2025
We attended the following conferences to provide you with the opportunity to chat with us directly about the project and provide your input.
- National Outdoor Education Conference, December 2024
- Outdoor Industry Summit Outdoors NSW/ACT, July 2025
- Outdoors Victoria Conference, August 2025
- Australian Camps Association National Conference, September 2025
Development
A Technical Committee of relevant experts was established and provided specialised advice for this project's communication and consultation strategies. They also provided technical advice on the skills and knowledge required to meet graduate outcomes and workforce needs.
Following a systematic investigation of the essential tasks, responsibilities, and performance expectations associated with outdoor recreation and leadership roles, we developed a functional analysis report which will ensure that training products remain relevant, purposeful and reflective of real-world workplace requirements. You can access the report below.
Set Up
The outdoor recreation and leadership qualifications are part of the SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package. They require a review to address recent curriculum updates that reflect evolving standards and anticipate future needs within the sector.
The outdoor recreation and leadership sector is currently grappling with a scarcity of skilled workers, casualisation of employment, high staff turnover, and a growing demand for outdoor activities. This review aims to ensure that outdoor recreation and leadership professionals are equipped with relevant, up-to-date skills and knowledge to effectively meet current and emerging demands. It will also consider the provision of better career progression pathways.
With over 600 operators, the outdoor recreation and leadership industry contributes $11 billion to the economy each year and is projected to grow by 10 per cent by 2026.
Offering activities like mountain biking, abseiling, journey-based expeditions, cycling, fishing, bushwalking, canoeing, surfing, and climbing, the industry plays a significant role in the health and well-being of the community. The diversity of these activities underscores the need for training qualifications which are relevant to a broad audience and embrace the full scope of activities and settings.
Project Scope
This project will review 4 qualification and 195 units of competency that support training for multiple related occupations, including:
- Outdoor Guide
- Outdoor Instructor
- Site Manager
- Camp Facilitator
- Specialist Activity Instructor
- Tour Guide.
Qualifications and Units Under Review
Qualifications Under Review
Project Governance and Consultation Strategy
Each project is overseen by a Project Manager who works with a core team to undertake the day-to-day project activities. A Technical Committee is established to support development work and provide advice, and a Consultation Strategy is developed to identify key stakeholder groups and outline engagement activities.
Terms of Reference and Technical Committee Members
Consultation Strategy
Functional Analysis Report
Funtional Analysis Report
Draft Products
See draft products
Consultation Log
Consultation Log