Martial Arts Instructor Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a nationally recognised process that establishes a martial arts instructor is able to provide instruction in a manner that is safe, responsible, and accountable with appropriate levels of understanding as to their legal and community obligations.

Specifically, accreditation:

• Verifies the martial arts bona fides of an instructor

• Ensures the instructor has a minimum first aid qualification

• Ensures the instructor has a minimum training standard in Instructing Principles, Sports Psychology, Training Methods, Communication, and Legal Responsibilities.

• Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what constitutes safe practice in exercise

• Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what the instructor’s responsibilities are under Occupational Health and Safety

• Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what the instructor’s responsibilities are under the appropriate consumer protection legislation in the State in which they teach

• Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what the instructor’s responsibilities are in dealing with complaints involving sexual harassment and discrimination in the martial arts industry

• Ensures that the consumer is dealing with an instructor who is bound by the National Code Of Practice For Martial Arts Centres and Instructors

Accreditation Levels

Recognised Accreditation is a progressive instructor education program with three levels.

The courses include the following components:

• Instructing Principles/Risk Management - Fundamentals of instructing, athletic performance and risk management

• Sport Specific - Skills, techniques, strategies and scientific approaches specific to the particular sport

• Practical - Practical coaching and an application of coaching principles

Level One:
Is the base entry or minimum level of accreditation that can be obtained. Maximum time for completion of the course is six months

Level Two:
The Level 2 course is more demanding and acquaints the coach with the sport sciences and their application to coaching. Maximum time for completion of the course is 12 months

Level Three
This is an advanced course designed to assist instructors develop competencies necessary to work with athletes at an elite level.

Advanced planning and training methods are covered and sports sciences are applied specifically to martial arts training.

The course is completed over a two year period.

What Accreditations are recognised in Australia?

There are only three types of accreditation that are recognised:

• the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (administered by the Australian Sports Commission); or

• the National Martial Arts Instructors Accreditation Scheme (administered by the Martial Arts Industry Association); or

• Accreditation, at level one, may be granted by the MAIA to an instructor who has qualified as a minimum Certificate III Community Recreation (Instruct) that must include the units SRC SDF 001A. 002A, 003A and SRX CAI 003A.

  Accreditation, at level three, may be granted by the MAIA to an instructor who has qualified as a minimum Certificate III in Coaching that must include the unit of competency SRSMAR005A plus one of the units SRSMAR006A to SRSMAR0011A

  In both of these cases instructors must meet the MAIA's herein listed minimum standards before accreditation will be granted:

  1. compliance with the National Code of Practise for Martial Arts instructors and with the MAIA Risk Management Policy

  2. child protection/prohibited employment clearance

  3. Insurance and Minimum first aid qualifications

  4. Verification of the applicants martial arts qualifications by a level 2 or 3 accredited instructor

Please note:

1. that any qualification under the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) IS NOT of itself sufficient to be deemed an Accreditation - An AQF RTO (Registered Training Organisation) cannot accredit instructors.

2. that the Coaching General Principles certificate that can be secured from TAFE colleges DOES NOT qualify an instructor as Accredited.

Accredited instructors are also bound by the National Code Of Practice For Martial Arts Centres and Instructors and must carry appropriate levels of public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

If you wish to check on the Accreditation status of an instructor, the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA) provides for free a National Accreditation Record Service that can be accessed by telephoning 02-8116-9882.

An accredited instructor will be able to show you his or her accreditation card.

Examples of these cards are shown here:

www.phsolicitor.com.au

www.masterfilms.com.au

Martial Arts Industry Association
'The Peak Industry Body for Martial Arts
in Australia'
www.maia.com.au