Career Guides
Outdoor Recreation Guides and Instructors
Outdoor Recreation Guides and Instructors
Outdoor recreation guides and instructors take individuals and groups on outdoor adventure activities such as:
- Bungy jumping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Mountaineering
- Trekking
- White-water rafting
- Bicycle touring
- Bush walking
- Canoeing
- Caving
- Horse trekking
- Rock climbing
- Sailing
Where you Might Work
Due to their differing qualifications and interests, Outdoor Recreation Guides and Instructors can work in a multitude of different outdoor settings, including:
- National parks and bushland.
- Recreational bodies of water (rivers, dams, lakes etc.).
- Mountains open to the public.
- Horse stables.
- Boat sheds.
- Beaches.
- Rock-climbing facilities
Key Responsibilities
Outdoor Recreation Guides and Instructors undergo many tasks throughout the day. Different working environments will decide what jobs will have to be done. Some universal tasks for all guides and officers include:
- Meeting members of a tour on arrival and making introductions.
- Organising and supervising groups involved in outdoor adventures such as bungy jumping, fishing, hunting, mountaineering, hiking, and rafting.
- Setting up and maintaining equipment, and ensuring that all equipment is in a safe, working condition.
- Providing instruction on the use of equipment and demonstrating techniques required for participation.
- Responding to emergencies by providing first aid assistance and taking appropriate further action if required.
- Answering questions and advising on local interest points within a specific region.
- Maintaining written reports of daily activities and conducting other administrative work.
The Attributes and Skills You Will Need
The attributes and skills that an Outdoor Recreation Guide should display include:
- Effective communication skills, both in-person and digitally.
- Strong leadership skills and a desire to lead.
- Wide knowledge of the area or recreational activity you wish to work in.
- An ability to work in all weather conditions and all types of terrain.
- An ability to work collaboratively as well as individually.
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Retrieved from: Labour Market Insights
Salary: Approximately $65,000, according to Labour Market Insight’s weekly earnings estimate of $1264.
Qualifications
To become an outdoor recreation guide/instructor, you will need to have relevant work experience. This could include doing a placement while completing a relevant VET course. These courses can be found below.
| Course | Potential Career Outcomes | Further Qualifications | Duration and Number of elements/units |
| Certificate II, III and IV in Outdoor Leadership (SIS40621) | This training provides a pathway to work for any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations. | n/a | Course Length: 1 year Certificate IV contains 27 units recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (12 core units, 15 elective units) Both the cert II and III will be covered in the content of the cert IV, so we recommend studying the cert IV to give yourself all 3 qualifications. |
| Diploma of Outdoor Leadership (SIS50421) | Same pathway as above. | n/a | Contains 28 units recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework |
Royal Lifesaving Bronze Medallion Course (HLTAID009 and SISCAQU020) | The minimum standard for a qualified lifesaver. Will make an applicant more employable when applying for roles that involve bodies of water. | n/a | Course Length: 11 hours Contains 2 units of competency recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework |
Additional Training
- Experience handling a 4WD.
- A bus driver’s licence may make an applicant more employable.
- First aid qualifications, and especially Wilderness First Aid.
Already qualified? Head to the Outdoors Queensland jobs board for the best selection of positions currently available in the industry.
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