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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation

Working at a pool, a gym or a community sports club means keeping people safe, keeping equipment in working order and answering plenty of questions, and this certificate covers all three.

Compare 9 providers
Illustration of a person working as lifeguard
How long it takes
1 to 2 years
typical for this level
What it costs
From $935
Subsidised at Chisholm Institute, full fee up to $2,083
How you can study
On the job
Main job
Lifeguard
$49,300 (estimate) median pay
Taught by
9 providers
6 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

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

It helps to have

  • an interest in keeping people safe around water and in sport
  • a calm attitude when something unexpected happens
  • good communication skills for answering questions
  • a practical approach to checking and maintaining equipment

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

  • Lifeguard

    Lifeguards supervise swimmers at pools, beaches and water parks, ready to make a rescue or give first aid when someone gets into trouble.

    What else you need

    This qualification includes a Pool Lifeguard pathway and is described as a full qualification to begin a career in aquatics. Lifeguard work needs the Pool Lifeguard units, so check that your provider includes them and how re-accreditation works.

    Median pay$49,300 (estimate)

  • Recreation Officer

    Recreation officers plan and run the community programs and events that get people active, from school holiday activities to inclusive sport sessions.

    What else you need

    Choose electives or the specialisation supporting recreation-officer duties; lifeguard and swim-teaching specialisations do not automatically establish the same route.

    Median pay$75,400 (estimate)

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $935

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

Paying the full fee

$2,083

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

  • Chisholm InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $935
    Concession
    $187
    Full fee
    $2,083

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 9 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.

What you’ll learn

15 units: 6 that everyone takes and 9 you choose.

  • Workplace health and safety
  • Hazard and risk checks
  • Customer service
  • Responding to emergencies
  • Equipment care and maintenance
  • Sport and recreation industry knowledge
See all 6 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for BSBWHS308…

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It prepares people for work in sport, aquatic and recreation organisations, keeping people safe, maintaining equipment and helping customers. You work with some independence and under limited supervision, guided by clearly defined plans, policies and procedures.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Providers can set their own conditions, so check with the one you choose.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.