Career Guides
Sports Coaches and Instructors
Coaches train and instruct participants to compete and perform at every level of sport. Some coaches can also use their knowledge of a particular sport to umpire or officiate games and matches.
Coaches have a similar objective to other active careers, as they strive to get the best out of their players and are continuously working towards a goal or improvement.
Where you Might Work
Where a coach works will depend on what sport they instruct. Areas where sport takes place include, but are not limited to:
- Playing fields
- Pools
- Courts for indoor sports
- Gyms
Key Responsibilities
Like fitness instructors, coaches must plan different elements of their day in advance to make sure they are ready for whatever comes next. Their key responsibilities include:
- Coaching and training sportspersons.
- Analysing past performance and abilities of the sportspersons they work with.
- Recruiting players and other coaches to further help their teams.
- Entering their teams into competitions and tournaments.
- Officiating when an event may have an umpire or referee shortage.
- Coordinating and directing activities at training or competitions.
The Attributes and Skills You Will Need
Coaches have attributes that are required to make sure their players and constituents perform to the best of their abilities. These attributes include:
- An ability to effectively communicate skills and tactics to players and other coaches.
- Having an interest and a high level of knowledge in a chosen sport.
- An ability to motivate large groups of people.
- You enjoy being around people and are a people person.
- An ability to work collaboratively as well as individually.
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Market Insights
Retrieved from Labour Market Insights.
Qualifications
The following career guides to become a sports coach are a broad representation of how to gain access to the industry. Formal qualifications are useful but not always required. A high level of knowledge in your chosen sport you wish to coach will be required.
| Course List | Career Opportunities | Further Qualifications | Number of elements/units |
| Certificate II in Sport Coaching (SIS20321) | These courses provide a pathway to work in community coaching roles, including working or volunteering at community-based sports clubs. | Included in this VET program is the ability to choose elective units that are specific to your sport, allowing participants to understand certain sports including equestrian riding and swimming at an advanced level. | Contains 7 units recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (3 core units and 4 elective units) |
| Diploma of Sport (SIS50321) | A Diploma of Sport allows individuals to pursue 3 notable job titles:
| The Diploma of Sport’s elective subjects allow students to specialise in certain areas. We recommend choosing the coaching elective package (6 elective units) along with another elective package that you are interested in. | Course Length: 1 year Contains 14 units recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (3 core units and 11 elective units) |
Additional Qualifications
- Working with Vulnerable People Check (required if you are working with vulnerable demographics)
- Working with Children Check (required if you are working with children)
Already qualified? Head to the Sportspeople jobs board for the best selection of positions currently available in the industry.
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