Outdoor Recreation

Course Convenor

David Low

(02) 4980 2159 (office) or 0410 627 093 (mobile)

BEd Avondale, GradDip Griffith, MA(Hons) Griffith

Study Options

Certificate III (SIS30410)

one year full-time

The Certificate III is a full fee paying two semester program. Where academic progress and skill development is satisfactory students who complete a specified cluster of units from Certificate III in the 1st Semester of the course will be granted entry into the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation in Semester 2. This means a further 1.5 years of full-time study to complete the Diploma with access to VET FEE-HELP.

Diploma of Outdoor Recreation (SIS50310)

1.5 years full-time

The Diploma is a three semester program with access to VET FEE- HELP. Students who can demonstrate sufficient knowledge via a prior certification or industry based experience may, with consultation and a bridging course prior to the commencement of the academic year, be admitted directly into the second year (2 semesters) of the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation with access to VET FEE-HELP.

Course Structure

- Click here

Accreditation

• Authorised by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
• Recognised under the National Framework for the Recognition of Training (NFROT).
• Approved for Austudy/Abstudy/Youth
• Approved as courses for overseas students

Entry Requirements

Completion of Year 12 is strongly recommended for entry. It is also expected that applicants will maintain a reasonable standard of fitness.

Requirements For Overseas Applicants

Overseas applicants are required to satisfy Australian Government visa requirements.
Applicants from other countries will have their qualifications assessed by the Admissions Office. Applicants from a country where English is not the first language must demonstrate proficiency in English in one of the following ways:

• Provide documentary evidence that secondary schooling was conducted in an English medium, and evidence of a satisfactory pass in English in a British O-level examination or local equivalent.
• Obtain an overall IELTS score of 5.5 or better with no individual band score less than 5.5.

Field Trips

Much of the instruction for both courses takes place in the field. Trips can range from excursions of a few hours duration, to local abseiling sites and extended expeditions to the high country of the Snowy Mountains and New Zealand.

Work Experience

All students are required to participate in full-time work placement (Certificate III, minimum 2 weeks; Diploma, minimum 3 weeks) by the completion of the course. The Course Coordinator and training staff will assist in the organisation of this component.

Course and Unit Details

Avondale Policies

Avondale is committed to an environment of learning that supports the fullest possible human development. Accordingly, Avondale has policies regarding:

• An alcohol-free, tobacco-free and drug-free campus
• Anti-bullying and harassment

Testimonials

---

Career Information

Avondale Outdoor Recreation graduates find casual, part- and full-time employment in many capacities, including:

• The retail camping sector
• Sport and Recreation Centres - such as rockclimbing gyms
• Camping and outdoor recreation centres
• Wilderness adventure and camping tourism
• Outdoor Education as part of a teaching career
• Adventure therapy programs
• Youth at risk programs
• Vocational training
• Guiding and instructing

The leadership and personal skills taught in the course are diverse and graduates find them useful in any career they choose.

Advanced Standing

Students successfully completing Certificate III or a specified cluster of units from Certificate III will gain entry into the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation. Students successfully completing the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation will gain advanced standing of up to one year of credit into a teacher education degree at Avondale.

ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS WITH CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY:

Students who receive the Diploma of Outdoor Recreation are able to gain advanced standing into the Bachelor of Applied Science (Adventure Ecotourism) at Charles Sturt University, as per the agreement described here.

Financial Information

The information provided is a guide but will give you a rough idea as to the costs associated with studying at Avondale. Amounts are given in Australian dollars (AUD). Please contact us if you have questions.

Diploma of Outdoor Recreation applicants may be eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance to pay all or part of their tuition. Click on the VET FEE-HELP tab for more information.

Diploma of Outdoor Recreation Fee Schedules

Download the SIS50310 Diploma of Outdoor Recreation Fee Schedule - S1, 2012

Tuition

Fees	Per Semester	Annual
Australian & New Zealand	$6,255	$12,510
International - South Pacific Region	$6,255	$12,510
International - Other	$8,507	$17,014

VET FEE-HELP Information

Click on the icon for more information:

Living Costs

Students under 20 years of age are required to reside on campus unless living with their parents, grandparents, or an older brother or sister. On-campus residence hall accommodation (including meals and internet access*) is $4,353 per semester, excluding vacation periods, and there is an additional $500 room bond payable on initial enrolment.

For further information, please visit the On Campus Accommodation information page.

*Download limits do apply.

Service and Facility Fees

Service and Facility fees are an optional fee for any services and facilities provided to the student at either campus. These could include parking, printing credits, use of tennis or squash courts, etc.

Please see the Service and Facility Guide for the Lake Macquarie Campus for further information.

Student Employment

Employment opportunities are available on campus. Apply for work via our Student Employment Officer when you arrive on campus.
Diploma of Outdoor Recreation students undertake significant paid work as part of their course.

Payment Methods

Payments may be made by:

An ATM is available on campus for students' personal use.

Equipment and additional costs

The College provides all abseiling and canoeing equipment including personal flotation devices, canoes/ kayaks, helmets and harnesses.
Students are expected to provide:

• Wetsuit and neoprene booties
• Pack, sleeping bag
• Boots, waterproof jacket
• Appropriate clothing
• Tent and stove
• Torch, compass, first aid kit

It may be that some students will not have all this equipment at the start of the course in March, and for this reason, the College has negotiated substantial discounts for students in the course (15-20% off) through local retailers. A field trip to these suppliers is normally made during the first week of classes.

Option: Personal Injury Insurance

While personal insurance is not compulsory, students may wish to investigate the costs associated with obtaining some level of coverage.

Overview

Do you love seeing others learn and grow?

Are you a teacher, counsellor, or pathfinder/scout leader and would like a qualification in an outdoor activity to match your skill level?

Would you like to work as a guide in outdoor adventure settings?

Short Courses Qualifications Offered Through Avondale College

Avondale is offering short courses in activity skill sets that include Bushwalking, Kayaking and Abseiling from the SIS10 Outdoor Recreation Training Package. These courses are designed to meet community and industry needs and will give you the skills to enable you to guide groups.

Avondale is a registered training organization and qualifications from these short courses will put you in a good position to gain registration from programs like the National Outdoor Leader Registration Scheme (NOLRS). All courses utilize a mixed mode of delivery with all theory being completed online and practical assessments being completed in the field.

Qualification:

This qualification is a Statement of Attainment from the Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation which is the recommended certification for those who wish to guide others in the following activity areas:

1. Abseiling Guide Single Pitch (Natural Surfaces): Abseiling single pitch involves descending vertical or near vertical surfaces using ropes and descending friction devices where there is access to the top and bottom of the cliff.
2. Bushwalking Guide Controlled Environments: Controlled bushwalking involves walking in tracked and easily untracked areas that are reliably marked on maps, and are obvious on the ground for a day or overnight bushwalk.
3. Canoeing/kayaking Guide Flat Water: Canoeing and kayaking has a broad scope. It involves paddling activities done in a variety of different locations from rivers and lakes to estuaries and open water.

Short Course Structure

The course is divided up into two delivery sessions. Successful candidates can start guiding as soon as they have finished the first session. This first group of units (from your chosen activity area) can be achieved for a minimum cost of $450.

If you do not have a current First Aid Certificate and/or wish to gain a full skill set of units then for a further $200 candidates can complete the second session where the assessor conducts a one day practical that includes online assessment. Upon successfully completing the sessions, a statement of attainment is issued that satisfies the requirements for running activities for any school or peak body.

Once core units have been completed, candidates can add further activity units and by doing this can gain qualifications in other activity areas.

Time

Session 1: two days.
Session 2: one day.
8 hours per day

Student numbers: Minimum number of students per course for it to be financially viable is 5 and maximum number is 10 for it to be safe.

Practical Assessment: Once 5 candidates are registered in a particular area, they will be notified about an assessor and a location to meet for training and assessment. Pre-activity information will be sent prior to the assessment date such as logistics, hazards and equipment that will be needed. All practical assessments will be completed during course plus the presentation of a log book by each candidate.

Online Units: Enrolment information needs to be completed before online learning registration.

Abseiling Guide Single Pitch (Natural Surfaces)

The following information refers to the abseiling skill set only and should be considered before registration.

Equipment per student: Personal harness kit, hair net, off-track footwear, sun hat, long pants , first aid kit, toilet paper and water bottle.

Logged Experience: Participants need to have evidence indicating they have performed three different rescue scenarios including a change over rescue. Descended a minimum of three natural descents and belayed abseiling on three separate occasions. Guided groups on three separate occasions. The verification log needs to contain a number of columns indicating:- Date, Location, Access points, Height, Role (guiding, recreational), Group type (school, club, etc), Belay type (Top, bottom, body, mechanical), Anchors type (Natural, Man-made) and a column for Verification signature or phone number. There needs to be a minimum of at least twelve entries covering the criteria from the units prior to certification.

Course outline and cost:

Statement of Attainment	Abseiling Guide Single Pitch (Natural Surface)	$650
First Short Course	Statement of Attainment 1	$450
Core Units	Holistically Assessed with Elective Units	N/A
SISOODR302A	Plan outdoor recreation activities
SISOODR303A	Guide outdoor recreation sessions
SISOOPS201A	Minimize environmental impact
Core Units	Online Assessment	$125
SISOOPS304A	Plan for minimal environmental impact
SISXOHS101A	Follow occupational health and safety policies
SISXRSK301A	Undertake risk analysis of activities
Elective Units	Online Assessment
SISOABN303A	Apply single pitch abseiling skills on natural surfaces
SISOABN202A	Safeguard an abseiler using a single rope belay system
SISOABN304A	Establish ropes for single pitch abseiling on natural surfaces
SISOABN305A	Guide abseiling on single pitch natural surfaces
SISOVTR301A	Perform vertical rescues
Practical Assessment	2 days (Applicable to above units)	$200
Second Short Course	Statement of Attainment 2	$200
Core Units	Online Assessment	$100
SISOOPS306A	Interpret weather conditions in the field
SISXCAI306A	Facilitate groups
HLTFA301B	Apply first aid
SISXEMR201A	Respond to emergency situations
Practical Assessment	1 Day (not applicable if First Aid Certificate supplied)	$100
These units provide a credit towards a Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation (SIS30410)

Bushwalking Guide Controlled Environments

The following information refers to the bushwalking skill set only and should be considered before registration.

Equipment per student: Hiking Pack 70 L, tent, sleeping bag, mat, cooker, off-track footwear, water proof jacket, fleece, thermals, sun hat, beanie, long pants or gaiters, first aid kit, compass, whistle, torch, toilet paper and water bottle.

Logged Experience: Participants need to have evidence indicating they have bushwalked on three separate occasions and guided three different group types on track on three separate occasions in three different locations across a range of seasons for up to two days duration. Day trips are acceptable but one big long trip cannot account for separate occasions. The assessment period will account for one off-track experience. Some orienteering meets could account for the others. A verification log needs to contain at least a number of columns indicating:- Date, Location, Access points, Distance, Days, Role (guiding, recreational), Group type (school, club, etc), Grade (tracked, trackless, unmodified), Terrain (easy, difficult, remote), Season, Weather (hot and dry, cold and wet, etc), Verification signature or phone number. There needs to be a minimum of at least six entries prior to certification.

Course outline and cost:

Statement of Attainment	Bushwalking Guide Controlled Environments	$650
First Short Course	Statement of Attainment 1	$450
Core Units	Holistically Assessed	N/A
SISOODR302A	Plan outdoor recreation activities
SISOODR303A	Guide outdoor recreation sessions
SISOOPS201A	Minimize environmental impact
Core Units	Online Assessment	$125
SISOOPS304A	Plan for minimal environmental impact
SISXOHS101A	Follow occupational health and safety policies
SISXRSK301A	Undertake risk analysis of activities
Elective Units	Online Assessment	$125
PUAOPE002A	Operate communications systems and equipment
SISOBWG201A	Demonstrate bushwalking skills in a controlled environment
SISOBWG303A	Guide bushwalks in a controlled environment
SISONAV201A	Demonstrate navigation skills in a controlled environment
Practical Assessment	2 days (Applicable to above units)	$200
Second Short Course	Statement of Attainment 2	$200
Core Units	Online Assessment	$100
SISOOPS306A	Interpret weather conditions in the field
SISXCAI306A	Facilitate groups
HLTFA301B	Apply first aid
SISXEMR201A	Respond to emergency situations
Practical Assessment	1 Day (not applicable if First Aid Certificate supplied)	$100
These units provide a credit towards a Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation (SIS30410)

Canoeing/Kayaking Guide Flat Water

The following information refers to the canoe/kayaking skill set only and should be considered before registration.

Equipment per student: Canoe/Kayak, paddle, PFD, appropriate footwear, hat, sunglasses, lunch and water. Any other specialised equipment will be provided.

Logged Experience: Participants need to have evidence indicating they have guided groups on a minimum of three separate occasions at natural sites. A verification log needs to contain a number of columns indicating:- Date, Location, Access points, Distance (Km), Days, Role (guide, assistant guide), Group type (school, club, recreational etc), and a column for Verification signature or phone number. There needs to be a minimum of at least three entries covering the criteria from the units prior to certification.

Course outline and cost:

Statement of Attainment	Canoeing Guide Flat Water	$650
First Short Course	Statement of Attainment 1	$450
Core Units	Holistically Assessed	N/A
SISOODR302A	Plan outdoor recreation activities
SISOODR303A	Guide outdoor recreation sessions
SISOOPS201A	Minimize environmental impact
Core Units	Online Assessment	$125
SISOOPS304A	Plan for minimal environmental impact
SISXOHS101A	Follow occupational health and safety policies
SISXRSK301A	Undertake risk analysis of activities
Elective Units	Online Assessment	$125
SISIOCNE302A	Apply canoeing skills
SISIOCNE303A	Perform deep water rescues
SISOCNE305A	Guide canoeing trips on flat and undemanding water
SISONAV201A	Demonstrate navigation skills in a controlled environment
Practical Assessment	2 days (Applicable to above units)	$200
Second Short Course	Statement of Attainment 2	$200
Core Units	Online Assessment	$100
SISOOPS306A	Interpret weather conditions in the field
SISXCAI306A	Facilitate groups
HLTFA301B	Apply first aid
SISXEMR201A	Respond to emergency situations
Practical Assessment	1 Day (not applicable if First Aid Certificate supplied)	$100
These units provide a credit towards a Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation (SIS30410)

Statement of Attainment	Kayaking Guide Flat Water	$650
First Short Course	Statement of Attainment 1	$450
Core Units	Holistically Assessed	N/A
SISOODR302A	Plan outdoor recreation activities
SISOODR303A	Guide outdoor recreation sessions
SISOOPS201A	Minimize environmental impact
Core Units	Online Assessment	$125
SISOOPS304A	Plan for minimal environmental impact
SISXOHS101A	Follow occupational health and safety policies
SISXRSK301A	Undertake risk analysis of activities
Elective Units	Online Assessment	$125
SISOCNE202A	Perform deep water rescues
SISOKYK302A	Apply kayaking skills
SISOKYK304A	Guide kayaking trips on flat and undemanding water
SISONAV201A	Demonstrate navigation skills in a controlled environment
Practical Assessment	2 days (Applicable to above units)	$200
Second Short Course	Statement of Attainment 2	$200
Core Units	Online Assessment	$100
SISOOPS306A	Interpret weather conditions in the field
SISXCAI306A	Facilitate groups
HLTFA301B	Apply first aid
SISXEMR201A	Respond to emergency situations
Practical Assessment	1 Day (not applicable if First Aid Certificate supplied)	$100
These units provide a credit towards a Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation (SIS30410)

Information

For further information about the short course program, including the dates of the future courses, contact the short course coordinator:

David Low
(02) 4980 2159 (office) or 0410 627 093 (mobile)