Overview
Kick-start your career in the health and fitness sector, one of the fastest growing industries globally, with the Certificate IV in Fitness SIS40221 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
This fitness qualification will prepare you to be a personal trainer or other fitness professional. You will finish the course with the skills to develop, instruct and evaluate personalised exercise programs for generally healthy and low-risk clients, to achieve specific fitness goals. (Clients with higher health risks are referred to medical or allied health professionals.)
As a personal trainer, you will work independently using highly developed fitness expertise in both routine and unpredictable situations. During your study, you will develop communication and collaboration skills, so that your interactions with clients and health professionals are constructive and productive.
The Certificate IV in Fitness provides a pathway to work as an personal trainer in settings such as:
- fitness facilities
- gyms
- leisure and community centres
- client workplaces and homes
- outdoor locations.
You may offer fitness services to individuals and groups, work for yourself or for an established business, or offer training online. Some personal trainers also lead teams and supervise activities, giving you the opportunity to progress in your career.
Award-winning interactive e-learning model
This course is delivered through Victoria University Polytechnic’s award-winning interactive e-learning model that combines face-to-face workshops with flexible, user-friendly eLearning activities.
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.
World-class facilities
Victoria University Polytechnic will get you job-ready through hands-on learning opportunities in our $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 and through supported work placements.
Before applying for this course, please check that you meet the entry requirements, ensuring that you:
- hold a current first aid and CPR certificate, and
- have completed all eight (8) prerequisite units listed under 'Admission & pathways'.
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
The fitness and health sector is a fast-growing industry. Once you've qualified, you'll be able to work across a range of roles including:
- group exercise instructor
- personal trainer
- PT coordinator
- PT manager
- outdoor trainer
- 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 SIS40221 Certificate IV in Fitness, a student must successfully complete a total of seventeen (17) units of competency, consisting of:
* ten (10) core units, and;
* seven (7) elective units, consisting of:
- a minimum of two (2) units and maximum of five (5) units from the Group A elective unit list below, and/ or;
- a minimum of two (2) units from the Group B elective unit list below, and/or; - a maximum of 3 units from elsewhere in the SIS Training Package, or from 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
- SISFFIT041
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT042
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT043
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT044
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT045
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT049
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT050
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT051
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT053
Elective Units
Group A - Exercise and Instruction
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT034
-
- Unit code
- SISFFIT046
-
- Unit code
- SISXCAI005
-
- Unit code
- SISXCAI009
-
- Unit code
- SISXCAI010
Group B - Business Operations and Leadership
-
- Unit code
- BSBESB401
-
- Unit code
- BSBESB404
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of personal trainers who develop, instruct and evaluate personalised exercise programs for generally healthy and low risk clients, to achieve specific fitness goals. Clients with higher health risks are referred to medical or allied health professionals. Personal trainers work independently using highly developed fitness skills and knowledge in both routine and unpredictable situations. They use well-developed communication and collaboration skills to interact with clients and health professionals to improve client fitness outcomes.
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
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold:
-
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid (or a unit that supersedes this unit)
-
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
-
SISFFIT032 Complete pre-exercise screening and service orientation
-
SISFFIT033 Complete client fitness assessments
-
SISFFIT035 Plan group exercise sessions
-
SISFFIT036 Instruct group exercise sessions
-
SISFFIT040 Develop and instruct gym-based exercise programs for individual clients
-
SISFFIT047 Use anatomy and physiology knowledge to support safe and effective exercise
-
SISFFIT052 Provide healthy eating information
As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
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.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be credited for up to 36 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
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:
- 3 July 2023
- 10 July 2023
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
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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.
