Scope of Practice and Standards of Practice for PAA Members
“Scope of practice” describes procedures, actions and processes a practitioner/instructor is permitted to undertake. The scope is limited by the specific qualifications, education, experience and competency of the practitioner/instructor.
“Standards” include any criteria, protocols or specifications for conduct, performance or services and are considered to be mandatory and may be accompanied by an enforcement mechanism.
“Guidelines” are statements that include recommendations intended to optimise client care.
The following documents describe the “Scope of Practice” and “PAA Standards of Practice” for each PAA membership level:
Open > PAA Scope of Practice & Standards of Practice for Pilates Practitioner
Introduction
Pilates is a mind-body exercise modality that enhances efficient movement habits, postural awareness, coordinated strength and flexibility and respiratory function. Its benefits include:
- restoring and improving optimal physical function for health and fitness
- preventing and managing injuries and sub-acute/chronic conditions to reduce pain, improve function and mitigate musculoskeletal degeneration
- improving strength, flexibility, alignment, balance, range of movement and breathing function for ongoing health and rehabilitation purposes
- pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation
- improving performance through specific training and countering sports/muscular bias
- managing the effects of underlying systemic health conditions especially those impacting on activities of daily living
- improving mental health through mindfulness and purposeful movement
To achieve the benefits above, Pilates classes require an environment that enables mindful motor learning. This includes:
- consistent repetition and structured progressive exercise programming
- exercise modifications and variations tailored to each client’s conditions and goals
- high levels of supervision best achieved in small group settings
- postural and movement instructions specific to each client
- responsiveness to each client’s learning style and biopsychosocial needs
Note: Individuals who hold a bachelor degree, postgraduate or doctoral degree in fields such as Physiotherapy, Pilates, Exercise and Sport Science or have completed additional studies related to musculoskeletal functioning are acknowledged as having a broader ‘Scope of Practice’ specific to their field of specialisation, but are still required to have completed comprehensive Pilates training.
Competencies
All PAA Pilates Practitioners are competent in designing and delivering sessions for lower risk individuals. For more complex conditions and disorders, evidence of further study and relevant experience is required.
| Client Profile | Lower Risk Individuals | Higher Risk Individuals |
|---|---|---|
| Intention |
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| Targeted population |
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| Focus |
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| Education level of instructor | PAA approved Diploma | Diploma plus:
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| Group size (recommended) | Same apparatus: No more than 8 participants to one instructor. (This may be varied dependent on team size if teaching athletes.) Mat: No more than 12 participants to one instructor Mixed studio equipment: No more than 4 participants to one instructor | No more than 3 participants to one instructor |
PAA Standards of Practice
The PAA uses a competency-based model for training standards, ensuring instructors’ skills, knowledge, and experience are adequate for the variety of client conditions that present in a Pilates studio. The PAA oversees professional standards by:
- setting education standards for course content, minimum study hours and work experience
- setting standards for training providers and the qualifications and experience of their faculty
- reviewing training courses to ensure ongoing quality assurance
- setting standards for entry level PAA membership and upgrades in membership levels
- setting standards for ongoing professional development
- addressing complaints raised against training providers through investigation and mediation
- addressing complaints against individual members through investigation and mediation
- reserving the right to audit members to ensure they are operating within the scope and standards of practice
Member Requirements
PAA Pilates Practitioners must have a comprehensive qualification that demonstrates knowledge, skills and industry experience in the Pilates Method.
Membership as a PAA Pilates Practitioner requires:
- holding a PAA recognised government accredited Diploma (AQF level 5 or above) or industry equivalent with a minimum study period of 500 hours
- current certification in Provide First Aid
- current Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance
- full financial membership of the PAA and agreement to abide by the PAA Code of Conduct
- maintenance and elevation of industry knowledge, skills and practice through relevant, research-based professional development courses that meet PAA requirements. A minimum of 20 points is required every two years. For more details, refer to https://www.pilates.org.au/education/pdp/
- continuity of teaching practice as specified by the PAA (a member must maintain a minimum of 200 hours of Pilates work over any two-year period, otherwise they are deemed ‘non-current’ and require refresher education)
Service Provision
PAA Pilates Practitioners will be guided by the following provisions:
- Work with clients whose functional movement capacity or condition is within the practitioner’s level of competency. This may include healthy and lower risk clientele, clients presenting with moderate grade or post-acute injuries and conditions, or chronic conditions or pathologies.
- Conduct physical activity readiness assessment/pre-exercise screening to determine each client’s suitability to begin a Pilates exercise program.
- Evaluate each client’s static and dynamic posture and movement function.
- Identify exercise and programming goals for each client.
- Design exercise programs in line with evaluation findings, client goals and medical or allied health professional recommendations.
- Provide and supervise Pilates sessions according to program design and client presentation at each session. Sessions range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes but may be varied depending on the capacity of each client.
- Constantly evaluate client movement pattern and technique and provide exercise regressions/ progressions/modifications as appropriate.
- Use a range of appropriate Pilates apparatus (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrel, small apparatus) ensuring the safety of clients and instructors through client education and diligent supervision.
- Collaborate with medical or allied health professionals and refer where appropriate.
- Promote client understanding of movement function and body awareness to enhance overall health.
- Maintain notes on changes in client health status, progress and program updates.
Additional Service Provision for sessions to be considered therapeutic
In order for a client’s management to be considered therapeutic, these additional requirements are compulsory
- conduct a one-on-one initial assessment and record findings. This includes collection of relevant health history, client aims, current general health status and recording of any musculoskeletal problems or conditions, medications, and medical or allied healthcare practitioner recommendations.
- undertake and record a full functional movement assessment, including evaluation of static and dynamic posture, strength, balance, range of motion, functional performance skills, and respiratory patterns.
- document client progress and any change to client health status and/or objectives according to industry guidelines.
- conduct ongoing assessment and adapt exercises (regressions, modifications and progressions) as required, keeping thorough records.
Download: Pilates Practitioner Scope of Practice and Standards of Practice
Open > PAA Scope of Practice & Standards of Practice for Studio Instructor
Introduction
Pilates is a mind-body exercise modality that enhances efficient movement habits, postural awareness, coordinated strength and flexibility and respiratory function. Its benefits include:
- restoring and improving optimal physical function for health and fitness
- preventing and managing injuries and sub-acute/chronic conditions to reduce pain, improve function and mitigate musculoskeletal degeneration
- improving strength, flexibility, alignment, balance, range of movement and breathing function for ongoing health and rehabilitation purposes
- pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation
- improving performance through specific training and countering sports/muscular bias
- managing the effects of underlying systemic health conditions especially those impacting on activities of daily living
- improving mental health through mindfulness and purposeful movement
To achieve the benefits above, Pilates classes require an environment that enables mindful motor learning. This includes:
- consistent repetition and structured progressive exercise programming
- exercise modifications and variations tailored to each client’s conditions and goals
- high levels of supervision best achieved in small group settings
- postural and movement instructions specific to each client
- responsiveness to each client’s learning style and biopsychosocial needs
Note: Individuals who hold a bachelor degree, postgraduate or doctoral degree in fields such as Physiotherapy, Pilates, Exercise and Sport Science or have completed additional studies related to musculoskeletal functioning are acknowledged as having a broader ‘Scope of Practice’ specific to their field of specialisation, but are still required to have completed comprehensive Pilates training.
Competencies
All PAA Studio instructors are competent in designing and delivering sessions for lower risk individuals. For more complex conditions and disorders, evidence of further study and relevant experience is required.
| Client Profile | Lower risk individuals | Higher risk individuals |
|---|---|---|
| Intention |
|
|
| Targeted populations |
|
|
| Focus |
|
|
| Education Level of instructor | PAA approved Comprehensive Pilates certificate | Comprehensive certificate plus:
|
| Group size (recommended) | Same apparatus: No more than 8 participants to one instructor. (This may be varied dependent on team size if teaching athletes.) Mat: No more than 12 participants to one instructor Mixed studio equipment: No more than 4 participants to one instructor | No more than 3 participants to one instructor |
PAA Standards of Practice
The PAA uses a competency-based model for training standards, ensuring instructors’ skills, knowledge, and experience are adequate for the variety of client conditions that present in a Pilates studio. The PAA oversees professional standards by:
- setting education standards for course content, minimum study hours and work experience
- setting standards for training providers and the qualifications and experience of their faculty
- reviewing training courses to ensure ongoing quality assurance
- setting standards for entry level PAA membership and upgrades in membership levels
- setting standards for ongoing professional development
- addressing complaints raised against training providers through investigation and mediation
- addressing complaints against individual members through investigation and mediation
- reserving the right to audit members to ensure they are operating within the scope and standards of practice
Member Requirements
PAA Studio Instructors must have a comprehensive qualification that demonstrates knowledge, skills and industry experience in the Pilates Method.
Membership as a PAA Studio Instructor requires:
- holding a PAA approved comprehensive Pilates certificate with a minimum study period of 460 hours
- current certification in Provide First Aid
- current Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance
- full financial membership of the PAA and agreement to abide by the PAA Code of Conduct
- maintenance and elevation of industry knowledge, skills and practice through relevant, research-based professional development courses that meet PAA requirements. A minimum of 20 points is required every two years. For more details, refer to https://www.pilates.org.au/education/pdp/
- continuity of teaching practice as specified by the PAA (a member must maintain a minimum of 200 hours of Pilates work over any two-year period, otherwise they are deemed ‘non-current’ and require refresher education)
Service Provision
PAA Studio Instructors will be guided by the following provisions:
- Work with clients whose functional movement capacity or condition is within the instructor’s level of competency. This may include healthy and lower risk clientele, clients presenting with moderate grade or post-acute injuries and conditions, or chronic conditions or pathologies.
- Conduct physical activity readiness assessment/pre-exercise screening to determine each client’s suitability to begin a Pilates exercise
- Evaluate each client’s static and dynamic posture and movement function.
- Identify exercise and programming goals for each client.
- Design exercise programs in line with evaluation findings, client goals and medical or allied health professional recommendations.
- Provide and supervise Pilates sessions according to program design and client presentation at each session. Sessions range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes but may be varied depending on the capacity of each client.
- Constantly evaluate client movement pattern and technique and provide exercise regressions/ progressions/modifications as appropriate.
- Use a range of appropriate Pilates apparatus (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrel, small apparatus) ensuring the safety of clients and instructors through client education and diligent supervision.
- Collaborate with medical or allied health professionals and refer where appropriate.
- Promote client understanding of movement function and body awareness to enhance overall
- Maintain notes on changes in client health status, progress and program updates.
Additional Service Provision for sessions to be considered therapeutic
In order for a client’s management to be considered therapeutic, these additional requirements are compulsory:
- Conduct a one-on-one initial assessment and record findings. This includes collection of relevant health history, client aims, current general health status and recording of any musculoskeletal problems or conditions, medications, and medical or allied healthcare practitioner recommendations.
- Undertake and record a full functional movement assessment, including evaluation of static and dynamic posture, strength, balance, range of motion, functional performance skills, and respiratory patterns.
- Document client progress and any change to client health status and/or objectives according to industry guidelines.
- Conduct ongoing assessment and adapt exercises (regressions, modifications and progressions) as required, keeping thorough records.
Download: Studio Instructor Scope of Practice and Standards of Practice
Open > PAA Scope of Practice & Standards of Practice for Group Instructor
Introduction
Pilates is a mind-body exercise modality that enhances efficient movement habits, postural awareness, coordinated strength and flexibility and respiratory function. Its benefits, when taught as a system, include:
- restoring and improving optimal physical function for health and fitness
- preventing and managing injuries and sub-acute/chronic conditions to reduce pain, improve function and mitigate musculoskeletal degeneration
- improving strength, flexibility, alignment, balance, range of movement and breathing function for ongoing health and rehabilitation purposes
- pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation
- improving performance through specific training and countering sports/muscular bias
- managing the effects of underlying systemic health conditions especially those impacting on activities of daily living
- improving mental health through mindfulness and purposeful movement
To achieve the benefits above, Pilates classes require an environment that enables mindful motor learning. This includes:
- consistent repetition and structured progressive exercise programming
- exercise modifications and variations tailored to each client’s conditions and goals
- high levels of supervision best achieved in small group settings
- postural and movement instructions specific to each client
- responsiveness to each client’s learning style and biopsychosocial needs
Competencies
All PAA Group Pilates instructors are competent in designing and delivering sessions for lower risk individuals. For more complex conditions and disorders, evidence of further study and relevant experience is required.
| Client profile | Lower risk individuals |
|---|---|
| Intention |
|
| Targeted populations | Healthy or low risk individuals which may include:
|
| Focus |
|
| Education Level of instructor |
|
| Group size (recommended) | Reformer:
Mat:
|
PAA Standards of Practice
The PAA uses a competency-based model for training standards, ensuring instructors’ skills, knowledge, and experience are adequate for the variety of client conditions that present in a Pilates class. The PAA oversees professional standards by:
- setting education standards for course content, minimum study hours and work experience
- setting standards for training providers and the qualifications and experience of their faculty
- reviewing training courses to ensure ongoing quality assurance
- setting standards for entry level PAA membership and upgrades in membership levels
- setting standards for ongoing professional development
- addressing complaints raised against training providers through investigation and mediation
- addressing complaints against individual members through investigation and mediation
- reserving the right to audit members to ensure they are operating within the scope and standards of practic
Member Requirements
PAA Group Pilates Instructors must have a qualification that demonstrates knowledge, skills and industry experience in the Pilates Method.
Membership as a PAA Group Pilates instructor requires:
- holding a PAA recognised qualification with a minimum study period of 175 hours
- current certification in Provide First Aid
- current Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance
- current financial membership of the PAA and agreement to abide by the PAA Code of Conduct and Ethical Practice
- maintenance and elevation of industry knowledge, skills and practice through relevant, research-based professional development courses that meet PAA requirements. A minimum of 15 points is required every two years. For more details, refer to https://pilates.org.au/education/pdp/
- continuity of teaching practice as specified by the PAA (a member must maintain a minimum of 200 hours of Pilates work over any two-year period, otherwise they are deemed ‘non-current’ and require refresher education
Service Provision
PAA Pilates Group Instructors will be guided by the following provisions:
- Work with clients whose functional movement capacity or condition is within the instructor’s level of competency. This is limited to healthy and lower risk
- Conduct physical activity readiness assessment/pre-exercise screening to determine each participant’s suitability to begin a Pilates exercise
- Evaluate participant’s static and dynamic posture and movement function.
- Identify exercise and programming goals for each group class, with modifications for participant’s varying abilities or restrictions.
- Identify and apply contra-indications and modifications for participants musculoskeletal conditions.
- Understand how and when to exclude a participant when a particular condition falls outside the instructor’s Scope of Practice.
- Provide and supervise Pilates classes according to program design and participants presentation at each session. Classes range from 45 minutes to 60 minutes but may be varied depending on the capacity, health and wellbeing of the group.
- Constantly evaluate the groups movement patterns and technique and provide exercise regressions/ progressions/modifications as appropriate.
- When using Pilates apparatus, ensure the safety of participants and instructors through participant education and diligent supervision.
- Collaborate with medical or allied health professionals and refer where appropriate (out of scope).
- Promote participants’ understanding of movement function and body awareness to enhance overall
- Maintain notes on program updates and significant changes in client health status and progress.
Download: Group Pilates Instructor Scope of Practice and Standards of Practice
Code of Conduct - All Members
This Code of Conduct applies to all members of the PAA and informs application of the Scope of Practice and Standards of Practice.
All PAA Members understand and commit to work within the PAA Scope of Practice and Standards of Practice in compliance with the following Code of Conduct.
Business owners are also required to adhere to National Employment Standards and any relevant awards, legislations and work safe practices appropriate to each State and Territory and to ensure appropriate staff policies and procedures are maintained.
Note: In completing an online membership application or renewal you confirm that you have read and agree to abide by the PAA Code of Conduct.
Download: Code of Conduct.pdf
| Responsibility |
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| Do No Harm |
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| Respect |
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| Integrity |
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| Advertising |
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| Client information, privacy and record keeping |
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| Workplace practice and safety |
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