How To Become A Personal Trainer In Australia

Fitness is one of the most lucrative industries around the world, and Australia is one of the most popular travel destinations. It’s therefore no wonder that so many people want to know how to become a personal trainer in Australia!

Moving to Australia and starting a completely new career is daunting to even the most confident of people! But don’t worry, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to all you need to know about working as a personal trainer in Australia.

We’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming a personal trainer in Australia, both before you go and when you get there.

But before we get started, if you’re not already, get qualified today by taking your Level 4 Personal Training Course with OriGym to kickstart your Australian adventure! You can also browse our full range of courses by downloading our free course prospectus here. 

How To Become A Personal Trainer In Australia: Before You Go

We know it can be tempting to jump straight on a plane with just your passport in your hand. Although this sounds exciting, preparation is key if you want to find success as a personal trainer in Australia.

In fact, the more preparation you can do at home before you leave, the better. Here’s what you should do before you even think about stepping on that plane!

#1- Plan and research

Before making any kind of big life decision, including becoming a personal trainer in Australia, research and planning is essential. 

It is easy to get carried away with the excitement of the idea and forget about the practicalities involved, such as the financial side of things.

Before you leave, you should be sure that you have the financial means to move. Although you will earn money if you work as a personal trainer in Australia, there are several costs to take into consideration first, such as flights, insurance, getting a visa, and accommodation. 

You should also bear in mind that you may not start working as soon as you get to Australia. It is therefore a good idea to have enough money to live without an income for a while. You may even want to consider being a part-time personal trainer and working a few hours per week at another job at the same time until you find your feet.

We also recommend spending plenty of time researching where exactly you want to go in Australia. Australia is a big place, so do some research into different areas to find out where sounds most appealing to you!

#2- Get qualified

Once you are certain in your decision to work as a personal trainer in Australia, the most obvious first step is to get all the qualifications you need to do it! 

Although you can get qualified once you’re over there, we highly recommend doing it at home before you leave. This is simply because it is so much easier and more cost-effective to find work as a personal trainer in Australia if you arrive already qualified. 

Plus, moving countries is already a huge process, so trying to study whilst you’re over there only adds another thing to think about! But if you get qualified before you go, all of your focus can be on finding a job.

To be a personal trainer, you will first need to take a Level 3 gym instructing course. This essentially qualifies you to work in a gym or fitness centre, and provides you with a foundation of knowledge to enter the fitness industry. Once you have this, you can then take your Level 4 personal training qualification, which is the minimum requirement to work as a PT either in a gym or on a freelance basis.

Here at OriGym, we offer a Personal Training Diploma, which gives you both of these qualifications in as little as 4 weeks. This is a great option if you want to get qualified fast before you head to Australia!

When choosing any personal training course, you should make sure that it is regulated by Ofqual. Ofqual is the government body that ensures that a qualification meets the highest standards of education and the requirements for a certain job role. Most employers will look for this endorsement when looking at your personal trainer qualifications.

You should therefore be wary of free personal trainer courses, as they will more than likely not be endorsed by Ofqual. When it comes to fitness course providers, you most definitely get what you pay for! 

#3- Check that your qualifications are valid in Australia 

Since you will be working in a different country, there may be some things you need to do to ensure that your Irish qualifications are valid to allow you to work as a personal trainer in Australia.

Fortunately, if you get your personal trainer qualification with OriGym, we make the process of working as a PT abroad as seamless and stress-free as possible.

This is because all of our courses are accredited by CIMSPA (The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity). This is the professional body of the UK and Ireland's sport and fitness sector that sets the standards of teaching in the fitness industry. 

Ensuring that your qualification is accredited by CIMSPA is essential if you are looking for a personal training job, as most employers will look out for this when you apply for jobs. This is equally as important if you are looking to work in fitness abroad, as all CIMSPA-accredited qualifications are recognised internationally- including in Australia!

In other words, an Irish Level 4 personal training course which is accredited by CIMSPA, such as OriGym’s, will be recognised by Australian employers. This is why it is so important to choose a reputable course provider if you want to work abroad.

In order to transfer your qualifications, you will simply need to register with AUSactive (the professional body for sport and fitness in Australia) and submit your certificates. This is generally a quick process which is again, made a lot easier if your course is already CIMSPA-accredited.

#3- Gain as much experience as possible at home

Once you’re qualified, you should try to gain as much experience as possible working in the fitness industry in Ireland before you leave for Australia.

We know it might be tempting to try to become a personal trainer in Australia as soon as you are qualified, but in fact, gaining experience at home first will benefit you in the long run!

Having a solid amount of personal training experience behind you will make you a lot more employable when you get to Australia. Finding a job abroad can be difficult enough, so anything you can do to help you stand out as a personal trainer will make the process a lot easier. 

Another reason to gain experience at home is that you can use contacts and resources from your course provider. For example, all of OriGym’s graduates have access to our exclusive network of partner gyms, helping you land a job at some of the best gyms in Ireland.

#4- Find your niche

As part of gaining experience, a good way to increase your chances of getting a job as a personal trainer in Australia is to take further qualifications. This not only allows you to expand your skills and knowledge, but also helps you to find your niche. 

Specialising in a particular area of fitness means that you can reach more potential clients with specific goals, or with particular health conditions. This therefore increases your earning potential, as you will be able to market yourself as an ‘expert’ in that particular area and therefore justify charging more for your sessions! 

One of the most popular areas for personal trainers to specialise in is nutrition. Here at OriGym, our Level 5 Advanced Sports Nutrition course is one of the best in the industry. Upon qualifying, you’ll be able to give nutrition advice to your clients, meaning that you can target a whole other market of clients. 

Another good way to add more skills to your repertoire is through CPD courses. These are short courses in specific areas of fitness that help you develop and enhance your skill set. 

For example, OriGym offers a range of CPD courses in everything from kettlebell training to strength and conditioning. Plus, all of our CPD courses are completed in just one day, so it is a quick and easy way to enhance your employability. 

In short, any extra qualifications you gain before you leave will only enhance your job prospects when you come to find a job as a personal trainer in Australia! 

#5- Get the right paperwork to live and work in Australia 

Before moving, it is essential that you have all the right paperwork to live and work in Australia. Without this, your dream of working as a personal trainer in Australia can’t even begin!

In order to work as a PT in Australia, you will need to apply for a working visa. There are several different types of visas, depending on your situation and how long you envisage staying there for. 

If you are aged between 18 and 30, you can apply for a temporary visa called a Working Holiday visa. This allows you to travel and work in Australia for up to 2 years, but you cannot stay with one employer for more than 6 months. 

This is a good option if you just want to spend a year or two in Australia, without committing to anything more long term. It is ideal for those who primarily want to travel, with work acting as a means to support the costs of your travels. Plus, it is free to apply for. 

To work and settle more permanently in Australia, you’ll need to apply for a Skilled Migration visa. Your application is based on a points system, which considers factors such as your age, occupation, qualifications and many other factors. If your initial assessment is approved, you will then be invited to apply for the visa. 

This kind of visa is a good option if you are looking for a more long-term or permanent migration to Australia. Because of this, the process can take a lot longer and can cost anything from €200 to €4500.  

In fact, when wondering, ‘how do I become a personal trainer in Australia?’, many people do not realise how long the paperwork process can take.

For example, the process of getting a visa can take several weeks or even months from when you first apply, depending on any complications or setbacks that may hinder it. You should therefore take this time into consideration when it comes to planning your move.

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#6- Start to prepare your CV and cover letter

If you want to become a personal trainer in Australia, you will need to have a strong CV and cover letter.

Your CV is your chance to show off the skills, experience and qualifications that make you suitable for a role. Check out our article on how to to write a fitness instructor CV for more details about what to include, the format, structure and top tips. 

As well as a CV, most job applications will require a cover letter. A cover letter is simply a short letter written to an employer that accompanies your CV. But unlike your CV, which is a more general overview of yourself, a cover letter is where you can state why you are right for that specific job role.

Since it is more specific, it is harder to prepare a cover letter if you don’t yet know the job you are applying for. However, we recommend making a rough draft before you leave, which you can then adapt to whichever role you apply for in Australia. 

Preparing your CV before you go means that there is one less thing to think about when you get there, and will speed up the job application process. However, remember that you may need to slightly adapt your CV and cover letter to each job you apply for, according to the job description.

#7- Build up your social media presence

Another thing you can do to prepare for becoming a personal trainer in Australia is to start building up a social media presence.

Social media is becoming an increasingly important marketing tool for anyone working in the fitness industry. Whether it’s posting client progress photos or full workout videos, platforms like Instagram and Twitter are one of the best ways to reach potential clients. It is also a great way to build up your own personal brand and get creative.

Fitness is one of the fastest-moving industries there is, with new trends emerging all the time. Having a social media presence therefore allows you to stay current and relevant, which will benefit you when it comes to applying to work as a personal trainer in Australia.

Plus, starting your social media pages before you go to Australia means that you can already build up a following of potential clients before you even step off the plane!

How To Become A Personal Trainer In Australia: When You’re There

Even if you’ve done all the preparation you can at home, there are still several things you can do when you get there to help you become a successful personal trainer in Australia.

#1- Network

One of the best ways to land a job as a personal trainer in Australia is to network with other fitness professionals in the industry.

This could be as simple as walking into your local gym or fitness centre and introducing yourself to the staff. It may seem daunting, but potential employers will admire your confidence and you’ll quickly start to stand out as a personal trainer in your local area. 

Building up a good reputation for yourself in your local fitness scene will drastically increase your job prospects. Employers will be much more likely to hire a name that they know or have at least heard of, over a complete stranger.  

If you are finding it hard to network in-person, this is where having a strong social media presence will come in handy. Social media is a great way to find other local fitness enthusiasts and reach out to them.

If you are working as a freelance personal trainer in Australia, networking is even more important. One of the hardest things about being freelance is finding your own clients, and people are much more likely to choose a PT that they have heard of or have seen around their gym. 

You could even start offering free sessions to members of your local gym as an incentive to get people to sign up to your services. 

Networking can be hard work and you will undoubtedly get some setbacks at times that may knock your confidence, but don’t give up! Persevere and keep putting yourself out there, and you’ll soon find yourself working as a personal trainer in Australia!

#2- Work on your marketing

Marketing is an important part of being a successful personal trainer, wherever you are in the world. However, it is even more important if you are trying to establish yourself as a PT in a new country. 

As we mentioned earlier, social media is one of the best ways to prepare for working as a personal trainer in Australia. But you should also continue to maintain your social media presence when you arrive too, as it will help you stay relevant and connected to your local fitness scene. 

Aside from social media, there are some other marketing techniques you can use once you are in Australia. For example, word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools there is! You could offer a referral bonus, giving clients who refer a friend a free session. This is a great way to quickly expand your clientbase. 

Here at OriGym, we know the importance of marketing when it comes to your personal training career. That’s why our Level 4 personal training course covers the marketing and business side of personal training, so you have all the practical skills to build a successful PT business. If you want to take your studies one step further, you can also complete our business and marketing CPD course.

#3- Choose your target audience

As with any business, it is important to establish your target audience. This is particularly important when it comes to working as a personal trainer in Australia. There are two main audiences that you can target: travellers and residents. 

Although you will inevitably take on clients from both of these audiences, we recommend focusing on one. This allows you to really dominate a particular demographic, rather than spreading yourself thinly across several. It also helps you to refine your marketing strategy, and channel your services towards a particular type of client. 

Travellers and tourists 

Some of the most successful personal trainers in Australia are those that work with travellers and tourists. Believe it or not, people who are travelling for a long period of time will still want to keep fit! 

A good way to find and target these clients is by networking with local hostels or travel companies. For example, you could run a morning bootcamp at a hostel, or work with a travel company to offer discounted sessions to their customers. 

You should also consider that most travellers will have a tight budget. As such, you may have to offer more incentives, or offer sessions at a cheaper rate than normal. However, if you are running sessions in places like youth hostels or outside spaces, your overhead costs will be a lot less than if you were working in a gym. This could therefore compensate for charging less for the sessions themselves.

One of the main benefits of working with this demographic of clients is that it is a fairly niche market, making it easier for you to stand out. Plus, the fact that you are from a country other than Australia could be used to your advantage to attract clients. Travellers will be able to relate to you, especially if they are from Ireland too! 

However, because travellers are likely not staying for an extended period of time, you may struggle with client retention. Someone who is only staying in your town or city for a week won’t want to commit to a full training program.

That said, these limitations are arguably balanced out by the fact that you may have a surge during the tourist season (April-September). 

Australian residents 

The other potential clientbase that you could target is residents, i.e. people who permanently live in Australia.

These clients arguably provide a more stable income than travellers, since they are much more likely to commit to a full training program. 

Permanent residents will also not be on as tight a budget as travellers, meaning that you can charge your usual rates for your sessions. 

However, one thing to consider is that this market may be more saturated than the travellers market. In other words, you will be competing with all the other people working as personal trainers in Australia- both Australians and other expats like you. 

#4- Be flexible

One of the key skills of a personal trainer is the ability to be flexible and adapt. This is particularly the case if you are working as a personal trainer in Australia. 

When moving to a new country that you are unfamiliar with, you may be presented with obstacles that you didn’t predict. For example, you may not find accommodation in the specific area you envisaged, or you might not enjoy the first job you find over there. 

Rather than giving up and catching the first flight home when these kinds of problems arise, you should be prepared to change and adapt around them. 

The key to moving to another country is to be flexible and to know that not everything will always go to plan. Remember that working abroad isn’t just one big holiday- there will be some tough times too. But hopefully, the good times will far outweigh them!

FAQs

How can I work as a personal trainer in other countries?

In this article, we have explained how to become a personal trainer in Australia. But you may now be wondering, what about other countries? How do I work in fitness in America, Spain, Thailand, or any other popular destinations? 

In general, the same advice applies for all countries. We would still recommend doing as much preparation beforehand as you can, and making sure that any qualifications you take in Ireland are also recognised in your chosen country. 

However, each country will have individual rules and regulations in terms of things like visas and how long you can stay, so you should check the relevant government websites. 

Before you go!

So, if you were wondering ‘how do i become a personal trainer in Australia?’, we hope that you now have a conclusive answer to your question. From how to prepare before you leave to what to do when you get there, we’ve covered everything you need to know before making the big move!

Make your dream of becoming a personal trainer in Australia a reality by taking your Level 4 personal training course with OriGym today! You can also download our free course prospectus here for more information about all the courses we offer.