Career Guides
Athletic Trainer - Sports Medicine Trainers
Athletic Trainers make sport and physical activity safer for athletes by preventing and attending to injuries.
Where you Might Work
Athletic trainers can expect to work in all settings where professional and amateur sport is taking place. These areas could include:
- Amateur playing fields
- Professional training grounds and stadiums
- Indoor stadiums and courts
Key Responsibilities
The tasks of an athletic trainer can differ depending on what sporting code or organisation you are working for. Universal responsibilities for this career may include:
- Training players in anatomy and human movement.
- Teaching players the fundamentals of nutrition and hydration.
- Providing treatment for illnesses and injuries sustained in training and on gameday.
- Communicating a rehabilitation process with injured athletes.
- Complying with the rules and processes of sporting codes, especially around drug and anti-doping laws.
- Applying treatment such as strapping and taping to players before games.
The Attributes and Skills You Will Need
Athletic trainers must apply relevant personal attributes to excel in their profession. These attributes are:
- Good physical and verbal communication skills.
- An understanding of essential skills such as strapping and taping.
- An understanding of fundamental nutrition and hydration information.
- An interest in working with and for people.
- Able to work early mornings and late nights.
- Good time management skills and the ability to work to a schedule.
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Retrieved from: Labour Market Insights
Salary: the salary of an athletic trainer differs greatly due to it mostly being a part-time role.
Qualifications
The education pathways listed encompass the most common courses that can be undergone to become an athletic trainer.
| Course/s | Potential Career Opportunities | Further Qualifications | Duration and/or number of units |
| Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science | This degree allows you to work in many different fields relating to sports science, including: Exercise specialist for community sports organisations Sport and recreation manager/officer Occupational health and safety officer Athletic trainer | Some students may wish to undergo an honours year for further knowledge. | 3-4 years full-time study 5-6 years part-time study |
| Sports Medicine Australia Level 1 Trainer | The course provides an opportunity for participants to become an SMA Accredited Sports Trainer. This is the standard requirement to perform the duties of a Sports Trainer in most major Australian sporting codes. |
Additional Training
- First Aid Check
- CPR Certificate
Already qualified? Head to the Sportspeople jobs board for the best selection of positions currently available in the industry.
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