Program Overview

Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership

Course Overview

Take the next step in your outdoor recreation career with this practical course. This qualification is perfect for people who want to work as leaders in the great outdoors. You will gain the specialised knowledge and skills required to work as an activity guide or instructor. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics there are over 65,000 people employed in the sport, fitness and recreation industry. Live everyday like an adventure with a unique career in this exciting industry.

This course will give you the skills to motivate others, and help people realise their potential and develop a better understanding of themselves. You will also gain practical skills in areas such as canoeing, high and low ropes courses, and hiking. Our passionate, industry experienced teachers will give you all the support and guidance you need to succeed.

Successful completion of this course will equip you to lead, guide and instruct outdoor recreation activities. You will be qualified to work as an outdoor guide or instructor in the outdoor recreation industry.

What Can I Do?

• Outdoor Recreation Activity Instructor
• Outdoor Recreation Activity Guide

Course Outcome

SIS40621 Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership

What You Will Study

The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 15 elective units from the list below.

Core Units

• UNIT CODE: HLTWHS003
  • UNIT NAME: Maintain work health and safety
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team.
• UNIT CODE: PUAOPE013
  • UNIT NAME: Operate communications systems and equipment
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain communications systems and equipment in the public safety business.
• UNIT CODE: SISOFLD002
  • UNIT NAME: Minimise environmental impact
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to implement predetermined minimal environmental impact practices while delivering outdoor recreation activities.
• UNIT CODE: SISOPLN001
  • UNIT NAME: Finalise operation of outdoor recreation activities
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to organise the final operational logistics for any type of outdoor recreation activity before departure.
• UNIT CODE: SISOPLN002
  • UNIT NAME: Plan outdoor activity sessions
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to plan sessions for any type of outdoor recreation activity and to coordinate operational logistics.
• UNIT CODE: SISOPLN004
  • UNIT NAME: Identify hazards, assess and control risks for outdoor recreation activities
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify hazards, assess associated risks, take measures to eliminate or control those risks and document all processes.
• UNIT CODE: SISOPLN005
  • UNIT NAME: Interpret weather and environmental conditions for outdoor recreation activities
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage integrity in sport risks, inform participants about integrity in sport and assist participants to address integrity issues.
• UNIT CODE: SISORSC001
  • UNIT NAME: Conduct search and rescue
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to conduct a search and rescue within an activity-specific context.
• UNIT CODE: SISXCAI006
  • UNIT NAME: Facilitate groups
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish and facilitate the effective functioning of a group of people participating in an activity.
• UNIT CODE: SISXCCS003
  • UNIT NAME: Address client needs
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage ongoing and sometimes complex relationships with clients.
• UNIT CODE: SISXEMR002
  • UNIT NAME: Coordinate emergency responses
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to coordinate a response to an emergency situation.
• UNIT CODE: SISXFAC001
  • UNIT NAME: Maintain equipment for activities
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to conduct routine maintenance and minor repairs on equipment.

Elective Units

• UNIT CODE: HLTAID011
  • UNIT NAME: Provide First Aid
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.
• UNIT CODE: SISOABL001
  • UNIT NAME: Lead adventure-based learning activities
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to lead adventure-based learning activities in situations where the overall responsibility for the session or program rests with a more experienced facilitator.
• UNIT CODE: SISOABL002
  • UNIT NAME: Facilitate adventure-based learning activities
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate learning through adventure activities according to a pre-designed adventure based learning program which might be self-developed or developed by others.
• UNIT CODE: SISOBWG001
  • UNIT NAME: Bushwalk in tracked environments
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to complete walks in any type of environment including bushland, arid, alpine or tropical areas and according to planned routes.
• UNIT CODE: SISOBWG002
  • UNIT NAME: Bushwalk in difficult tracked environments
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to complete walks in any type of environment including bushland, arid, alpine or tropical areas and according to planned routes.
• UNIT CODE: SISOBWG006
  • UNIT NAME: Lead bushwalks in difficult tracked environments
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to lead and supervise dependent participants during bushwalking activities in difficult tracked environments according to predetermined activity plans which might be self-developed or developed by others.
• UNIT CODE: SISOCHC001
  • UNIT NAME: Lead challenge course sessions, low elements
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to lead participants during challenge course sessions at a facility where low elements are set up.
• UNIT CODE: SISOCHC002
  • UNIT NAME: Set up and supervise challenge course sessions, low elements
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to supervise activity leaders and participants during challenge course sessions at a facility where low elements are set up.
• UNIT CODE: SISOCHC003
  • UNIT NAME: Lead challenge course sessions, high elements
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to lead participants during challenge course sessions at a facility where high elements are set up.
• UNIT CODE: SISOCHC004
  • UNIT NAME: Set up and supervise challenge course sessions, high elements
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to supervise activity leaders and participants during challenge course sessions at a facility where high elements are set up.
• UNIT CODE: SISOCNE002
  • UNIT NAME: Paddle a canoe on inland flatwater
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to paddle a canoe as part of a group on inland flatwater areas such as lakes, dams and slow moving rivers and according to planned courses.
• UNIT CODE: SISOCNE005
  • UNIT NAME: Lead canoeing activities on inland flatwater
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to lead and supervise dependent participants during canoeing activities on flatwater areas according to predetermined activity plans which might be self-developed or developed by others.
• UNIT CODE: SISOFLD003
  • UNIT NAME: Select, set up and operate a temporary or overnight site
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select, set up, operate and dismantle a temporary or overnight site used during any type of outdoor recreation activity.
• UNIT CODE: SISOFLD006
  • UNIT NAME: Navigate in tracked environments
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to navigate in environments which can include tracks or inland rivers according to planned routes.
• UNIT CODE: SISOFLD007
  • UNIT NAME: Navigate in difficult tracked environments
  • Unit description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to navigate in difficult tracked environments during any type of outdoor recreation activity.

Ways to Study

• On campus

Study Locations

• Sunshine Coast

Campus Information

• Mooloolaba
  • On Campus
  • Start Date: 23 Jul 2025
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Workload: Full time 3 days per week (Semester 1) then 1 week per month (Semester 2)
  • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
  • Concession: $4,915
  • Subsidised: $5,835
  • Full fee: $10,045

Payment Options

• Payment plan
• Upfront payment

Entry Requirements

• There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
• It is recommended that students have a strong interest in outdoor pursuits / personal outdoor experience or outdoor recreation industry experience.
• It is highly recommended that students have an adequate level of physical fitness prior to enrolling.

Resources Required

• The total advertised cost includes the cost of Tuition fees and an estimated cost of $400 for additional resources required.
• The uniform and kit list cost of $350 is an approximate cost, it is highly recommended that students shop around for the best prices.
• Students may already have some of these items and therefore the total cost will then reduce.
• Please note: Orienteering Event is delivered by an external provider. Students must pay approximate cost of $50 to an external provider. This cost is also included in the total advertised cost.

Assessment Methods

• Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course.
• You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning.

University Pathways

• If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there.
• In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers

• Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know.
• We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.