PAA Member Resource - Instructor Starter Pack
Pilates Association Australia (PAA) have complied a list of relevant documents and items to be considered at various stages of your development as an instructor within the Pilates industry. We have identified three key stages and have categorised them as follows:
- New Student (currently studying)
- New Graduate/Instructor (beginning work in the Pilates industry)
- New Business Owner (operating a Pilates business)
New Student (currently studying)
The following templates/documents are relevant to students commencing formal professional Pilates instructor training:
- PAA Physical Readiness Activity Questionnaire (PARQ) view the PAA template
- Guidelines for Static Postural Assessment view the guidelines
- Static Postural Assessment view the PAA template
- Dynamic Postural Assessment view the PAA template
- Pregnancy Screening view the PAA questionnaire
- Post Natal Screening view the PAA questionnaire
- Clinical Note Taking for Pilates view the PAA article
- Case Notes Template view the PAA template
New Graduate/Instructor (beginning work in the Pilates industry)
In addition to the items referred to for ‘New Student’, the following items are necessary for Pilates instructors to commence work in the Pilates industry:
- Insurance: Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance – PAA/BMS insurance
- Provide First Aid and CPR
- A work contract or employment agreement between you and your employer or, if you are operating as a sole trader, the business to which you are providing your services
- An ABN if you are a sole trader working as a contractor (i.e. not ‘employee’) – Australian Tax Office-starting a business
- Familiarity with the Fitness Industry Award Wage Rate – fairwork.gov.au
- Continuous education/Professional Development/PDP – view the PAA PDP Accrual Table
New Business Owner (operating a Pilates business)
In addition to the items referred to for ‘New Student’ and ‘New Graduate/Instructor’, new business owners will require the following:
- Appropriate qualifications to ensure you are working within your scope of practice
- Registered business name and ABN – Australian Tax Office-starting a business
- Business Plan – business.gov.au – develop-your-business-plan
- Book keeping or accounting system (MYOB, XERO etc.)
- Use the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) to find out which licences you need to start, run and grow your business.
- Business insurance: Public and Products Liability, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Building and Contents Insurance PAA/BMS insurance
- Employment Contract or Agreement: legal advice may be required to ensure the document is drafted correctly
- Work Cover (if you are employed by the business or have employees) fairwork.gov.au – workers compensation
- Business Policies and Procedures
- WHS Policies and Procedures including:
- Incident Report Form (these vary in accordance with State and Territory guidelines and are available online)
- Risk and Hazard Report Forms (these vary in accordance with State and Territory guidelines and are available online)
| WHS State and Territory Authorities | |
|---|---|
| ACT | Worksafe SA |
| NSW | Safework NSW |
| NT | NT Worksafe |
| QLD | Workplace Health & Safety QLD |
| SA | Safework SA |
| TAS | Worksafe Tasmania |
| VIC | Worksafe Victoria |
| WA | Worksafe WA |
- Equipment (as this is a financial investment of personal choice, research is advised)
- Equipment Maintenance Checklist (ensure it is relevant to the equipment in your studio and conducted on a regular basis)
- Business website (you may also wish to list your business on platforms that promote Pilates, physical activity, health and wellbeing etc.)
- Online booking system (there are many options available online, be sure to choose one appropriate to your current business needs)
- Marketing materials (business cards/flyers/promotional merchandise)
- Advertising (local stores/shopping centres/medical centres/places where potential clients may visit)
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram etc.)