Personal trainer job description

The standard qualification is a Certificate IV in Fitness (or equivalent), along with current first aid and CPR certification and working rights in Australia. Many employers also prefer registration with AUSactive and specialty certifications in areas such as strength, pre/post-natal or rehabilitation.

Yes, current first aid and CPR certification is a standard requirement for personal trainers because they coach clients through physical activity. Track expiry dates so certifications stay current — HR software makes this easy to manage across a team.

Mandatory requirements usually include a Certificate IV in Fitness, current first aid and CPR, and working rights in Australia. Preferred qualifications include AUSactive registration and specialty certifications. Avoid over-qualifying the role, as it can narrow your candidate pool unnecessarily.

Both models are common in fitness. Employees are covered by the Fitness Award with its pay rates and penalties, while contractors typically run their own business and carry their own insurance. Getting this classification right matters for compliance, so confirm the arrangement carefully before hiring.

This depends on your demand. Casual trainers offer flexibility for variable session bookings but attract a 25% casual loading under the Fitness Award. Permanent part-time or full-time staff provide consistency and stronger retention. Many gyms use a mix — permanent staff for core hours and casuals for peaks and classes.

Under the Fitness Award (MA000094), full-time and part-time staff receive Saturday at 125%, Sunday at 150% and public holidays at 250%. Casual staff instead get a 25% loading on weekday hours and a flat rate of about 130% of the base for ordinary hours on weekends and public holidays. Use award interpretation software to calculate rates accurately.

Broken shifts are common in fitness — for example, an early-morning and an evening block. Under the Fitness Award, a broken shift allowance of about $18.07 per day (plus about $2.15 for excess fares) applies on top of the rates for the hours worked. Confirm the current amount in the Fitness Award pay guide.

Key elements include: position title and classification level, employment type (casual, part-time or full-time), hourly rate, applicable award, reporting structure, main duties and required certifications such as Certificate IV in Fitness and first aid. For casuals, include the 25% loading. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Award and agreement rostering rules vary, so confirm the notice period that applies to your business. As a general practice, providing rosters at least 7 days in advance gives trainers visibility of their sessions and shifts. Using rostering software helps ensure compliance and reduces last-minute changes.

Fitness demand peaks in the early morning and evening, so roster your most in-demand trainers across those windows and use split shifts where appropriate. Use rostering tools to track hours, monitor coverage and adjust when trainers are unavailable. See our guide on how to roster fitness staff.

Break entitlements are set by the applicable award or agreement and generally include a meal break for longer shifts. Because trainers work active, back-to-back sessions, set clear break policies and ensure staff record their time accurately. Use time and attendance tools to support compliance.

Collect availability preferences during onboarding and update them regularly. Use HR software and rostering tools to track when each trainer can work and which classes or specialties they cover. Clear availability policies simplify session planning and reduce gaps in coverage.