Certificate III in Fitness

This qualification prepares you to work as a group fitness instructor and gym instructor, running classes and writing exercise programs for individual members.

Compare 16 providers

How long it takes: 4 to 12 months; full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs: From $1,450; Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $8,160
How you can study: Online, on campus or on the job
Main job: Fitness Instructor; $78,000 median pay
Taught by: 16 providers; Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate III in Fitness asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

an interest in keeping active and helping others do the same
good communication skills for instructing groups and individuals
a patient, encouraging attitude towards people at different fitness levels
an interest in how the body works during exercise

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Where this course can take you

Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.

Jobs you can do with it

Fitness Instructor
Fitness instructors plan and lead exercise sessions, whether that is a group class or one-to-one coaching, and adjust what they teach to the people in the room.
What else you need
Certificate III in Fitness is described by UTS as qualifying you as a Fitness Instructor. The award alone does not confer registration; AUSactive registration is separate, so check the provider and registration requirements.
Median pay$78,000

If you study further

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.

What it costs

Where do you want to study?

Subsidised place

From $1,450

at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$3,096 to $8,160

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

TAFE fees for this course
TAFE	State	Subsidised	Concession	Full fee	How long
TAFE NSW	NSW	$1,450	$240	$8,160	4 to 12 months
Chisholm Institute	VIC			$3,096
Holmesglen Institute	VIC	$5,048	$1,010	$7,064
TAFE Queensland	QLD	$2,145	$1,440	$4,215

TAFE NSWNSW
Subsidised
$1,450
Concession
$240
Full fee
$8,160
How long
4 to 12 months
Chisholm InstituteVIC
Full fee
$3,096
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
Subsidised
$5,048
Concession
$1,010
Full fee
$7,064
TAFE QueenslandQLD
Subsidised
$2,145
Concession
$1,440
Full fee
$4,215

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.

Where you can study this course

There are 16 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

TAFE NSW
13 campuses, NSW
More about TAFE NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
How you study
On campus
How long
4 to 12 months
Fee
From $1,450 subsidised
Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
TAFE Queensland
3 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
How you study
Online or on campus
Fee
From $2,145 subsidised
Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
Box Hill Institute
4 campuses, VIC
3.0from 372 Google reviews
Website for Box Hill Institute (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Teachers are friendly and supportive
- Course content is practical and relevant
What to weigh up
- Admin replies can be slow
- Course organisation can be inconsistent
Holmesglen Institute
Glen Waverley, VIC
3.6from 650 Google reviews
How you study
On campus
Fee
From $5,048 subsidised
Course page for Holmesglen Institute (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Staff are friendly and supportive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Placement information can be unclear
- Some teachers are less engaged
Central Queensland University
18 campuses
4.1from 999 Google reviews
Website for Central Queensland University (opens in a new tab)
FIT College
19 campuses
4.8from 701 Google reviews
Website for FIT College (opens in a new tab)
What students like
- Trainers are supportive, knowledgeable and engaging
- Face-to-face, hands-on training builds job confidence
- Staff help students find industry jobs