Instructor

Instructors introduce and teach new skills and knowledge, as set out in the learn to sail and powerboat program syllabi, to course participants. Instructors are crucial in ensuring that participants have a fantastic first experience in sailing and progress along the sailing pathway.

Gaining the Qualification

Courses

Instructors must attend a program specific instructor course run by a senior instructor.

Experience working at a training centre either as an assistant instructor or helper will be of significant advantage.

The instructor course is conducted and recognised nationally and is available for each program. Instructor courses are run by Australian Sailing in all major regions.

Cost

Instructor Course: $435

Pre-requisites

The pre-requisites of attending an Instructors Course are that the prospective Instructor must:

• Be 16 years old (must be 18 years old to be the Head Instructor at a Centre)
• Be water confident
• Comply with the State/Territory legislation including, but not only, child protection laws (If applicable in that state. Please click here for details on your state/territories requirements).
• Hold the level of competence in the Program they wish to instruct
• Complete the Instructor General Principles
• Hold a current Provide First Aid Certificate (HLTAID003 or above)
• Hold a  current maritime licence, or state equivalent
• Hold an Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling Certificate (for Powerboat, Dinghy and Windsurfing Instructors)

Course Overview

The course is a two day course, generally run over a weekend and delivered at accredited Discover Sailing Centres across Australia. You will be expected to complete some pre-course study (Instructor General Principles) to ensure that practical application of this knowledge can be demonstrated on course. The course is an interactive and practical course including discussions, case studies, presentations, demonstrations, and workshop activities.

Course Assessment

Assessment of the Instructor program has several components:

• Prior to attending the face-to-face course, Instructors will be expected to read the Instructor Handbook and complete online general principles of instructing
• Deliver a 10-minute theory presentation on a pre-allocated topic. You will receive your allocated topic in your joining instructions and will be required to plan a classroom presentation on this.
• Deliver a 15-minute practical session delivery on a pre-allocated topic. You will receive your allocated topic in your joining instructions and will be required to plan a session on this.

Throughout the course there will also be formative assessment in the form of questions and discussions.

Recognition of Prior learning (RPL)

If you have previous experience (for example you have an overseas instructor qualification) you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior learning. For more information refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning section.

Qualification

If participants are successful in their assessment and have all prerequisite documentation on their mySailor profile, they will be awarded the qualification which will remain valid for 5 years.

Maintaining the Qualification

Annual Renewal

Instructors are required to pay the annual Instructor fee that covers administration costs and provides liability insurance for the Instructor. 

Instructors will be sent an invoice for this fee each year to their email address listed on their mySailor profile. 

Other components of the qualification that are required to maintained and keep current on the mySailor profile include:

• First-aid certificate

• Working with Children Check

• State Maritime Licence (if applicable in your State)

Use the Update My Qualification section to update all qualifications. 

Instructor Reaccreditation

Once the five-year period has concluded, a practical assessment of the Instructor is required to ensure the skills, knowledge and best-practice remains current. An Instructor will complete one assessment per program in which they instruct, regardless of the amount of Instructor Qualifications they hold in that program.

The assessment will relate to the highest qualification level which is held in each program, for example; a Dinghy Racing Instructor will be assessed based on a skill delivered in the Start Racing/Better Racing Program and if successful all the Instructor's Dinghy Qualifications will be extended for 5 years. 

Please be aware that the reaccreditation is free of charge. 

Instructors will receive automatic expiry reminders for their qualification/s.

Please contact your local Australian Sailing Club Support Officer for more details on when they are being held.

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