Australian Institute of Fitness
The Australian Institute of Fitness is a privately owned, registered training organisation, and the largest fitness training organisation in Australia.[1] Beginning operations as the Health Studio Attendants course in Perth in 1979, the Institute became Australia's first national fitness training provider in 2000, with the merger of five state-based fitness training programs.[2]
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Other name | The Institute |
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Former name | ACHPER Fitness Leader; Australian Fitness Network; Institute for Fitness Professionals; National College of Fitness; the Australian Institute of Fitness |
Type | Registered Training Organisation |
Established | 1979 |
Founder | Greg Hurst, Nigel Champion, Russell Creagh |
Chief Executive | Steve Pettit |
Location | |
Campus | Urban |
Website | www.fitness.edu.au |
History
In 1979, sports educator and author Nigel Champion began running a Health Studio Attendants course in Perth, the first of its kind in Australia. In 1981, Champion partnered with Australian academic Dr Garry Egger to establish the ACHPER Fitness Leader group of courses in Sydney; before joining, in 1986, with fitness entrepreneur Greg Hurst to establish the Australian Fitness Network.[3] In 2000, Hurst & Champion together with Russell Creagh, Monty Dortkamp, Dr Grant Pavia and Kerry McEvoy, merged five existing fitness training programs – ACHPER Fitness Leader; Australian Fitness Network; Institute for Fitness Professionals; National College of Fitness; and the Australian Institute of Fitness – to create the national Australian Institute of Fitness.[2]
Russell Creagh served as the first CEO of the consolidated Institute, from 2001 to 2006, followed by Greg Hurst (2006–2011) and Dyanne Ward (2011–2016). In December 2016, Steve Pettit, the Institute's CEO Queensland, was appointed as its National Chief Executive on the retirement of Dyanne Ward.[4]
Since inception, the founding entities provided a variety of fitness industry-specific certification and training courses. Following the Federal Government's 1996 training reform agenda, these courses were incorporated into the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Since 1996, the Institute has delivered nationally recognised qualifications in fitness, massage and business, in compliance with the regulatory standards of the AQF.[5]
Company overview
board of directors
- Nigel Champion – Director [2001–present]
- Russell Creagh – Director [2001–present]
- Annette Chatterton – Director [2009–present]
- Greg Hurst – Director and chairman [2005–present]
- Kym Weir – Chairman [2006–2016]
- Steve Pettit – chief executive officer [2016–present]
Ambassadors
- Michelle Bridges [2009 – 2017]
- Hayden Quinn [2015 – 2017]
Campuses
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra
New South Wales
- Parramatta
- St Leonards
Queensland
- Brisbane
South Australia
- Adelaide
Western Australia
- Perth
Victoria
- Melbourne
Satellite campuses
New South Wales
- Newcastle
Northern Territory
- Darwin
Courses and subjects
The Institute is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivering vocational education and training (VET) courses at Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma level. Auditing and registration of Australian RTOs is managed by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), as such the Institute's programs must meet guidelines set out by State and Federal Governments and associated training bodies.[5]
Registered training organisation
Australian Institute of Fitness (RTO ID 121508) is approved to deliver the following qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework:
- Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30315)
- Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40215)
- Certificate IV in Massage Therapy (HLT42015)
- Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52015)
Programs and Courses offered
- Master Trainer Program (Certificate IV in Fitness SIS40215)
- Fitness Instructor (Certificate III in Fitness SIS30315)
- Remedial Massage Therapist (Diploma of Remedial Massage HLT52015)
- Massage Therapist (Certificate IV in Massage Therapy HLT42015)
- Nutrition Coach
- Fitness Business Essentials
Monty Dortkamp Scholarships
The Monty Dortkamp Scholarship Program awards four scholarships annually covering tuition costs of a Master Trainer certification. The scholarship was established by The Institute in memory of Monty Dortkamp, to assist people from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities.[6][7]
Awards and recognition
Notable students and graduates
- Michelle Bridges – Australian personal trainer, author and TV personality
- Libby Babet – Trainer on The Biggest Loser (Australian TV series), and founder of AGOGA, and BUF Girls.
- Laura Dundovic – Model and social media influencer
- Kayla Itsines – Founder of the Bikini Body Guide and social media influencer
- Hayden Quinn – 2012 Cleo Bachelor of the Year, 2011 MasterChef Australia contestant, and co -owner of The Cube Gym
- Emily Seebohm – Three-time Australian Olympian
- Jayde Taylor – Australian Olympian and Hockeyroo[8]
- Libby Trickett – Three-time Australian Olympic gold medalist[9]
- Brittany Elmslie – Represented Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics in swimming.[9]
- Leisel Jones – Gold, silver and bronze medalist in Swimming at the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.[10]
- Matt Hodgson – Australian professional rugby union player for the Wallabies and Super Rugby team the Western Force.
- Tim Robards – 2013 ‘Bachelor’ and founder of ‘The Robards Method’
Industry Awards
Finalist 2015 NSW Training Awards – Large Training Provider of the Year[11]
References
- "Australian Institute of Fitness". MySkills Training provider Details. Department of Education and Training. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "The Institute – Who we are". Australian Institute of Fitness. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Nigel Champion Profile". fitnessresearch.edu.au. Fitness Research. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Australian Institute of Fitness names new Chief Executive". Australasian Leisure Management. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Industry Accreditation". Australian Institute of Fitness. AIF. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Monty Dortkamp Scholarship". Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Fitness industry + those in need: a Fit for Good". Australian Fitness Network. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Good News Story – Australian Institute of Fitness". ACPET. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- Ellsworth, Sophie. "How to get fit on a budget". Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Liesel Jones". Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- "Australian Institute of Fitness Named a Finalist in 2015 NSW Training Awards". Australasian Leisure Management. Retrieved 20 August 2017.