Diploma of Outdoor Leadership

SIS50421

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

This qualification reflects the role of highly skilled senior leaders or program, logistics and operations managers.

Senior leaders lead and supervise dependent participants in recreational activities and have a role in planning these activities. They are highly proficient in activity techniques and have well-developed leadership skills to manage group participation, cohesion, operational logistics, risk and significant problems as they arise.

Managers are involved in recreational program planning, implementation and evaluation, facility and equipment management, the leadership of personnel, and the operational management of a department or a small business.

All work with significant autonomy, using initiative and judgement to analyse and solve complex problems, and to design systematic approaches to operational practices.

This qualification provides pathway to work for any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.

The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

  • On-the-job training

    This traineeship is available:

    • Outdoor Recreation Manager
  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Coordinate client service activities Core
Coordinate emergency responses Core
Coordinate work teams or groups Core
Develop outdoor recreation programs Core
Facilitate groups Core
Identify hazards, assess and control risks for outdoor recreation activities Core
Interpret weather and environmental conditions for outdoor recreation activities Core
Manage legal compliance in sport and recreation Core
Manage risk for outdoor programs Core
Manage work health and safety Core
Operate communications systems and equipment Core
Plan for minimal environmental impact Core
Plan outdoor activity sessions Core
Abseil in easy to intermediate canyons Elective
Abseil in intermediate to advanced canyons Elective
Abseil multi pitches, natural surfaces Elective
Acquire and educate horses for sport or recreational programs Elective
Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment Elective
Assess competence Elective
Assess horses for sport or recreational performance Elective
Bushwalk in difficult tracked environments Elective
Bushwalk in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments Elective
Carry out trip preparation and planning Elective
Carry out vehicle inspection Elective
Carry out vehicle servicing and maintenance Elective
Complete underwater search and recovery dives Elective
Condition horses for sport or recreational performance Elective
Conduct search and rescue Elective
Conduct sustainable work practices in open spaces Elective
Coordinate and operate tours Elective
Coordinate facility and equipment acquisition and maintenance Elective
Coordinate human resource functions and processes Elective
Cross rivers during bushwalks Elective
Design adventure-based learning programs Elective
Design and develop assessment tools Elective
Determine nutritional requirements for sport or recreational horses Elective
Develop and implement community programs Elective
Develop and implement procedures to enable young people to address their needs Elective
Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships Elective
Develop and maintain the general and regional knowledge required by guides Elective
Develop and manage a budget Elective
Develop and use emotional intelligence Elective
Develop culturally appropriate tourism operations Elective
Develop environmentally sustainable tourism operations Elective
Develop interpretive activities Elective
Develop tourism products Elective
Engage respectfully with young people Elective
Establish belays for multi pitch climbing on natural surfaces Elective
Establish belays for single pitch climbing on natural surfaces Elective
Establish ropes and belays for abseils in easy to intermediate canyons Elective
Establish ropes and belays for abseils in intermediate to advanced canyons Elective
Establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling on natural surfaces Elective
Facilitate adventure-based learning activities Elective
Facilitate inclusion for people with a disability Elective
Guide a raft on grade 3 rivers Elective
Guide a raft on grade 4 rivers Elective
Guide horse trail rides in untracked areas Elective
Handle horses Elective
Identify and report children and young people at risk Elective
Identify hazards, assess and control safety risks for horse handling and riding activities Elective
Implement an equine facility maintenance, improvement and management program Elective
Inspect and fill SCUBA cylinders Elective
Instruct fundamental horse riding skills Elective
Instruct horse handling skills Elective
Instruct the advancement of recreational horse riding skills Elective
Lead and participate in complex white water rescues Elective
Lead bushwalks in difficult tracked environments Elective
Lead bushwalks in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments Elective
Lead canoeing activities on grade 2 rivers Elective
Lead canoeing activities on inland flatwater Elective
Lead canoeing activities on moving water up to grade 1 rivers Elective
Lead canyoning activities, easy to intermediate canyons Elective
Lead canyoning activities, intermediate to advanced canyons Elective
Lead challenge course sessions, high elements Elective
Lead challenge course sessions, low elements Elective
Lead climb multi pitches, natural surfaces Elective
Lead climb single pitches, natural surfaces Elective
Lead cycling activities on roads, up to moderate terrain and heavy traffic Elective
Lead four wheel driving activities Elective
Lead kayaking activities on grade 2 rivers Elective
Lead kayaking activities on grade 3 rivers Elective
Lead kayaking activities on inland flatwater Elective
Lead kayaking activities on moving water up to grade 1 rivers Elective
Lead multi pitch abseiling activities on natural surfaces Elective
Lead multi pitch climbing activities on natural surfaces, lead climbing Elective
Lead off road cycling activities on intermediate trails Elective
Lead rafting activities on grade 3 rivers Elective
Lead rafting activities on grade 4 rivers Elective
Lead sea kayaking activities in enclosed waters Elective
Lead sea kayaking activities in exposed coastal waters Elective
Lead sea kayaking activities in sheltered coastal waters Elective
Lead single pitch climbing activities on natural surfaces, lead climbing Elective
Lead single pitch climbing activities on natural surfaces, top rope climbing Elective
Lead skiing activities on intermediate cross country terrain Elective
Lead specialised SCUBA diving activities Elective
Lead surfing activities, advanced manoeuvres Elective
Lead surfing activities, intermediate manoeuvres Elective
Lead tour groups Elective
Maintain legal knowledge for organisation governance Elective
Manage business resources Elective
Manage challenge course Elective
Manage extended touring programs Elective
Manage horse illness and injury in remote areas Elective
Manage personal and professional development Elective
Manage stock supply and purchase Elective
Manage team effectiveness Elective
Manage volunteer workforce development Elective
Mentor in the workplace Elective
Navigate in difficult tracked environments Elective
Navigate in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments Elective
Navigate in tracked environments Elective
Navigate in urban, regional and remote areas Elective
Navigate waterway courses Elective
Operate a four wheel drive in a towing situation Elective
Operate four wheel drive vehicle Elective
Organise and communicate information Elective
Paddle a canoe on grade 2 rivers Elective
Paddle a canoe on inland flatwater Elective
Paddle a canoe on moving water up to grade 1 rivers Elective
Paddle a kayak on grade 2 rivers Elective
Paddle a kayak on grade 3 rivers Elective
Paddle a kayak on inland flatwater Elective
Paddle a kayak on moving water up to grade 1 rivers Elective
Paddle a sea kayak in enclosed waters Elective
Paddle a sea kayak in exposed coastal waters Elective
Paddle a sea kayak in sheltered coastal waters Elective
Participate in assessment validation Elective
Perform basic surf rescues Elective
Perform complex vertical rescues Elective
Perform complex water rescues Elective
Perform vertical rescues Elective
Perform water rescues Elective
Plan and conduct disability programs Elective
Plan and conduct group activities Elective
Plan and interpret market research Elective
Plan and navigate routes Elective
Plan assessment activities and processes Elective
Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities Elective
Prepare specialised interpretive content on cultural and heritage environments Elective
Prepare specialised interpretive content on flora, fauna and landscape Elective
Prepare specialised interpretive content on marine environments Elective
Prevent and treat equine injury and disease Elective
Protect children and young people Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Provide first aid and emergency care for horses or other equines Elective
Provide first aid in remote locations Elective
Provide work skill instruction Elective
Recognise and respond to crisis situations Elective
Recover four wheel drive vehicle Elective
Recruit and manage volunteers Elective
Rescue others in white water Elective
Research and share information on Australian Indigenous cultures Elective
Respond to boating emergencies and incidents Elective
Respond to critical situations Elective
Ride bicycles on roads, up to moderate terrain and heavy traffic Elective
Ride horses on untracked trail rides Elective
Ride horses using fundamental skills Elective
Ride off road bicycles on intermediate trails Elective
Safely operate a mechanically powered recreational boat Elective
SCUBA dive at night Elective
SCUBA dive from boats Elective
SCUBA dive in open water to a maximum depth of 18 metres Elective
SCUBA dive to depths between 18 and 40 metres Elective
SCUBA dive using Enriched Air Nitrox Elective
Select, set up and operate a temporary or overnight site Elective
Self rescue in white water Elective
Set up and supervise challenge course sessions, high elements Elective
Set up and supervise challenge course sessions, low elements Elective
Set up, maintain and repair bicycles Elective
Ski on intermediate cross country terrain Elective
Support the rights and safety of children and young people Elective
Surf waves using advanced manoeuvres Elective
Surf waves using intermediate manoeuvres Elective
Top rope climb single pitches, natural surfaces Elective
Traverse canyons Elective
Use snow craft skills for alpine touring Elective
Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering Elective

Job prospects

The Diploma of Outdoor Leadership sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Sports Administrator

    ANZSCO 139915

    Manage and promote sport and recreational activities for a sporting club or academy.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Amusement Centre Manager

    ANZSCO 149111

    Amusement Centre Managers manage amusement centres, showgrounds or theme parks.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Fitness Centre Manager

    ANZSCO 149112

    Fitness Centre Managers manage fitness centres. They may coach, instruct and train clients.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Sports Centre Manager

    ANZSCO 149113

    Sports Centre Managers manage sports centres.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Outdoor Adventure Instructor

    ANZSCO 452215

    Outdoor Adventure Instructors provide adventure-based experiential education in outdoor adventure and bushcraft.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Trekking Guide

    ANZSCO 452216

    Trekking Guides plan, organise and provide guided bushwalking and trekking trips for individuals or groups.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Whitewater Rafting Guide

    ANZSCO 452217

    Whitewater Rafting Guides plan, organise and provide guided rafting and kayaking trips for individuals or groups on whitewater rivers.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Other Outdoor Adventure Guide

    ANZSCO 452299

    Other Outdoor Adventure Guides includes jobs like Caving Guide, Cycle Touring Guide, Horse Trekking Guide, Sea Kayaking Guide, and Skydiving Instructor.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Scuba, Snorkelling and Dive instructor

    ANZSCO 452311

    Scuba, Snorkelling and Dive instructors train and instruct recreational or commercial open water divers in diving techniques, safety and the correct use of diving equipment.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

Training providers delivering Diploma of Outdoor Leadership

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 8 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.