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The Outdoor Recreation Qualification Review project 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.

Swipe or Click across the tabs to view active and completed project stages.

September to November 2024

The outdoor recreation 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 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 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 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 the following occupations:

  • Outdoor Guide
  • Outdoor Instructor
  • Site Manager
  • Camp Facilitator
  • Specialist Activity Instructor
  • Tour Guide.

Qualification

The 4 qualifications being reviewed are:

You can provide us with any initial feedback on the current qualification and associated units of competency by emailing details to the Project Coordinator.

Project governance and consultation strategy

We are currently establishing a Technical Committee (TC) of experts to provide advice for the project. TC members are selected for their relevant expertise on the diverse aspects of the project.

The project terms of reference and the TC membership will be published on the website when finalised.

We will also publish the project consultation strategy.

Fact sheet

November 2024 to March 2025

Details to come.

March to July 2025

Consultation will be via:

  • Functional Analysis:
  • 16 x virtual interviews with employers held
  • 1 x virtual functional analysis workshop held
  • Draft Qualifications, Skill Sets and Units of Competency:
  • 12 x face to face workshops
  • 3 x virtual workshops

All draft training product materials will be made available for comment.

We will publish the dates and locations of workshops when they have been confirmed.

July to September 2025

Details to come.

September to October 2025

Details to come.

How to get involved

We encourage stakeholder participation from all relevant sectors across Australia. Please register to stay across project updates and opportunities to be involved.

Project updates

Contact details

Training Product Project Manager, TBA

Project Coordinator, Jordon Dunn

To contact the project team, please email [email protected].  

Project timeline

  • Project Set Up

    Establish a Technical Committee to provide expert advice for the project.

  • Development

    Functional analysis undertaken via 16 employer interviews and a virtual functional analysis workshop.

    Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.

  • Consultation

    Delivery of 12 face-to-face and 3 virtual workshops.

    Workshops will be held in all states and territories. 

  • Finalisation and Submission

    Submit final draft materials to Skills Senior Responsible Officers.

    Address any feedback prior to submission to the Skills Ministers for endorsement.

  • Endorsement and Implementation

    Upload endorsed qualifications, skill sets and units of competency to the VET National Training Register.

    Update the Companion Volume to reflect changes to the Training Package, identified pathways information and mapping information.

    Delivery of 3 virtual professional development workshops to highlight the features of the new qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.