The Outdoor Recreation and Leadership Qualification Review 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.

The outdoor recreation and leadership 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 and leadership 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 and leadership 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 and leadership 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 have established 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.

View the Terms of Reference and Technical Committee members.

View our Project Consultation Strategy.

Fact sheet

November 2024 to September 2025

A Technical Committee of relevant experts has been established and has provided specialised advice for the project and communication and consultation strategies. They also provide technical advice on the skills and knowledge required to meet graduate outcomes and workforce needs. 

We will also undertake:

  • desktop research
  • a review of available information on industry standards, working conditions and employer recruitment selection criteria
  • virtual workshops to:
    • explore the skills that organisations need
    • identify career pathways for employees
    • discuss foreseeable changes in the sector.
Formal Project Consultation

Functional Analysis: Nov 2024 – Mar 2025 (complete)

The purpose of the Functional Analysis is to pinpoint the skills and knowledge required in the application of job role tasks, forming a framework for training product design. It involves:

  • 16 x virtual interviews with employers
  • 1 x virtual functional analysis workshop

Public Consultation: Sep 2025 – Nov 2025

Have your say on the draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency. This involves:

  • 12 x face to face workshops
  • 3 x virtual workshops online

Dates and locations of workshops will be published when they have been confirmed.

Written Submissions: Sep 2025 – Nov 2025

All stakeholders will be invited to submit feedback on the draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency in writing. All stakeholders will have the opportunity to review project documents and provide feedback/comments/submissions in writing which will be captured, considered and responded to in the review project process.

Technical Committee: Entire Project

A Technical Committee (TC) of experts has been established to provide advice for the project. TC members are selected for their relevant expertise on the diverse aspects of the project.

View the Terms of Reference and TC members.

Additional Project Input Opportunities

Subject Matter Expert Pool: May 2025 – May 2026

A pool of over 80 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) has been formed to provide input on the content of various qualification units. SMEs have extensive experience in leading, running or teaching outdoor recreation and leadership and have a strong understanding of good practice. We will conduct several meetings with SMEs throughout the project and SMEs will also have the opportunity to contribute in writing.

Industry Conferences

We will attend the following conferences which will provide you with the opportunity to chat with us directly about the project and provide your input.

  • National Outdoor Education Conference, December 2024
  • Outdoor Industry Summit Outdoors NSW/ACT, July 2025
  • Outdoors Victoria Conference, August 2025
  • Australian Camps Association National Conference, September 2025

 

November 2025 to April 2026

Details to come.

April  to May 2026

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

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.