Fitness Instructors
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Fitness Instructors direct, instruct and guide individuals and groups in the pursuit of physical fitness and wellbeing.
Specialisations: Aerobics Instructor, Gym Instructor, Physical Fitness Trainer.
A certificate III or IV in fitness is usually needed to work as a Fitness Instructor.
Tasks
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consulting with various Health Professionals to develop and design fitness programs
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designing individual fitness programs based on assessment of the client's age, level of fitness, goals and abilities
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delivering group exercise classes and personal tuition in a variety of fitness activities in a safe and creative manner
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demonstrating and teaching body movements and skills used in fitness routines
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setting up and monitoring fitness equipment and ensuring that equipment is safe, clean and in working condition
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teaching and advising on the use of fitness equipment
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ensuring clients are aware of and adhere to safety and injury prevention procedures
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reporting accidents and preparing accident reports
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maintaining a working knowledge of current health and safety standards and ensuring working practices and procedures conform to current legislation
-
maintaining current first aid certificates
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
-
Enterprising
-
Helping
-
Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow strongly
- is likely to reach 39,800 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 23,500 |
2012 | 25,300 |
2013 | 24,500 |
2014 | 25,900 |
2015 | 29,800 |
2016 | 29,700 |
2017 | 34,100 |
2018 | 33,600 |
2019 | 36,700 |
2020 | 24,500 |
2021 | 36,300 |
2026 | 39,800 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 29% of people employed as Fitness Instructors work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 37 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Fitness Instructors work in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Fitness Instructors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.6 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.1 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.0 | 1.9 |
-
Around 68% of Fitness Instructors live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Fitness Instructors is 35 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 60% of the workforce. This is 12 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Fitness Instructors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 14.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 31.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 16.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 4.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.4 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 35 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A certificate III or IV in fitness is usually needed to work as a Fitness Instructor.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Sport, Fitness and Recreation VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Fitness Instructors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 5.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 24.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 20.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 34.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 11.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 2.8 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Fitness Instructors with good people skills, who are reliable and have an enthusiastic and positive attitude.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
52%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
50%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
50%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
-
48%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
48%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
48%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
46%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
43%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
41%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
39%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
37%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
37%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
-
37%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
-
23%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
62%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
62%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
59%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
55%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
41%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
-
40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
40%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
38%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
36%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
-
34%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
34%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
33%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
32%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
-
31%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
-
30%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
28%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
-
22%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
21%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
21%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
10%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
61%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
61%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
-
59%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
-
57%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
57%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
-
54%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
52%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
50%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
45%
Dynamic flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs, quickly a number of times.
-
45%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
45%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
43%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
-
43%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
-
41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
41%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
74%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
72%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
67%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
65%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
61%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
-
58%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
57%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
55%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
54%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
52%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
48%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
44%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
42%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
41%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
-
39%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
39%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
32%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
32%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
-
31%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
28%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
-
76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
62%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
43%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
19%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
Values
-
86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
52%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
48%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
48%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
-
94%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
91%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
90%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
90%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
90%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
86%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
82%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
72%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
69%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
69%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
68%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
68%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
67%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
66%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
65%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
65%
Public speakingTalk to a group of people.
-
62%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
61%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
61%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 39-9031.00 - Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.