Avondale’s Diploma in Outdoor Leadership is designed for those that have previously completed SIS30619 Certificate III or SIS40621 / SIS40619 Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership and/or can demonstrate significant experience in leading outdoor activities through organizations such as Pathfinders, Scouts, or have worked in outdoor recreation and leadership roles. This qualification is physically demanding, and students need to demonstrate they have an interest in outdoor pursuits, are physically fit, and academically suited to the course.

Entry requirements for SIS50421 Diploma of Outdoor Leadership are:

Domestic Students
• 18 years or older
• a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 level or, AQF 4 or higher
• Have a Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership or be able to demonstrate significant outdoor recreation experience

International Students
• 18 years or older on first day of course
• Demonstrate a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 level or, AQF 4 or higher
• Have a Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership or be able to demonstrate significant outdoor recreation experience
• Demonstrate English language proficiency*

*English requirement for International Students:
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.
Demonstrate English language proficiency by providing evidence of satisfactory performance in the International Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent approved test (eg TOEFL, PBT, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English). Applicants who take IELTS must sit either the General module and attain a minimum score of 6.0 or the Academic module and attain a minimum score of 5.5, with consistent results across the bands.
Applicants from other countries will have their qualifications assessed by the Admissions Office.

Application Process:
To ensure that this is the right course for you, all applicants will be required to provide and participate in the following:
Provision of supporting evidence which may include - photo ID; school reports; HSC results; and/or previous completed qualifications, literacy language and numeracy assessment, skills assessment
Activity log
Medical form
Interview

Course requirements:
This course is physically demanding and requires time to be spent in the classroom completing knowledge training and in the outdoors learning and practicing the skills. To be successful Avondale requires all student to provide the following:
Working Laptop with MS package or compatible software
Wear appropriate clothing including enclosed shoes to classes and for activities as advised by the trainer
Provide personal items for outdoor activities (see website)
Must be able to meet physical requirements for all activities
Able to obtain a working with children check
Able to commit to course attendance requirements
Able to carry own backpack and participate in activities such as hiking, camping and sleep in the outdoors (including remote areas) with limited assistance
Able to undertake physically demanding activities working in small groups

This qualification is taught for a total of 30 weeks over 3 trimesters; students are required to attend theory and practical sessions. Students typically attend class 3 days a week with time outside of class to do self-study, assignments, and practice. Practical’s can be done during the week or over weekends and can be weather dependent. Changes can occur in the planned activities of the week to ensure student safety.

To successfully gain SIS50421 Diploma of Outdoor Leadership there are 28 units (13 core and 15 elective units) that students must successfully demonstrate competency in.

Electives offered at Avondale include learning in:
Bushwalking, Extremely Difficult Tracked and Untracked
Climbing, Natural Surfaces, Lead, Single Pitch
Kayaking, Moving Water
Sea Kayaking, Exposed Waters


Core Units
HLTWHS004 Manage work health and safety
SISOPLN002 Plan outdoor activity sessions
SISOPLN004 Identify hazards, assess and control risks for outdoor recreation activities
SISOPLN006 Plan for minimal environmental impact
SISXCAI006 Facilitate groups
SISXEMR002 Coordinate emergency responses
SISXIND008 Manage legal compliance in sport and recreation
PUAOPE013 Operate communications systems and equipment
SISOPLN003 Develop outdoor recreation programs
SISOPLN005 Interpret weather and environmental conditions for outdoor recreation activities
SISOPLN007 Manage risk for outdoor programs
SISXCCS002 Coordinate client service activities
SISXIND005 Coordinate work teams or groups

Elective Units
SISOBWG003 Bushwalk in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
SISOBWG007 Lead bushwalks in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
SISOFLD008 Navigate in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
SISOCLM003 Lead climb single pitches, natural surfaces
SISOCLM006 Establish belays for single pitch climbing on natural surfaces
SISOCLM010 Lead single pitch climbing activities on natural surfaces, lead climbing
SISOFLD006 Navigate in tracked environments
SISORSC002 Perform vertical rescues
SISOKYK001 Paddle a kayak on inland flatwater
SISOKYK002 Paddle a kayak on moving water up to grade 1 rivers
SISOKYK005 Lead kayaking activities on inland flatwater
SISOKYK006 Lead kayaking activities on moving water up to grade 1 rivers
SISOFLD005 Navigate waterway courses
SISOKYS003 Paddle a sea kayak in exposed coastal waters
SISOKYS006 Lead sea kayaking activities in exposed coastal waters

Note: Not all elective units may be available to study, please enquire for more information

Credit Transfer (CT):
If you have previously completed any of the units as listed in the course structure below at Avondale or with any other registered training organisation, you may request Credit Transfer for unit(s).
Selected units from SIS30619 Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership may gain CT into the Diploma of Outdoor Leadership
Selected units from SIS40619 or SIS40621 Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership will gain CT into the Diploma of Outdoor Leadership.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)
Depending on your experience and previous work in Outdoor Recreation, you may request RPL. To support your RPL request you will be asked to demonstrate and provide evidence of learning related to the unit or units you are seeking RPL for.

For more information regarding CT or RPL, call +61 2 4980 2159, or email [email protected]

Equipment and additional costs
To ensure that students are able to successfully participate in all aspects of Outdoor Leadership studies - theory and practical, students must provide the following:
Computer / laptop
Suitable clothing for outdoor activity – hiking, bushwalking, climbing, abseiling, canoeing and kayaking
Toiletries
Sleeping bag (and pillow)
Suitable footwear for hiking/bushwalking and water activities
Sunscreen & sun hat
Insect repellent
Water bottle
Food for offsite activities where these may be overnight or consecutive days and nights away

Avondale provides equipment for specialised activities including personal flotation devices, canoes/ kayaks, helmets, harnesses, ropes, backpacks and tents.

Field Trips
Much of the instruction for outdoor leadership takes place in the field. Trips can range from excursions of a few hours such as trips to local abseiling sites to extended expeditions such as trips in the high country of the Snowy Mountains. Avondale provide transportation for all field trips. Students will be required to provide their own transportation where they are not able to meet the planned departure and return times.

Simulations and/or Work Placement
Students will need to participate in practicals where they are required to plan programs, lead others in activities and evaluate. These practicals can be simulated or organised through work placement by the course convenor.

Where students are undertaking work placement, there may be additional requirements to be met as determined by the work placement provider.

These may include:
Working with Children Check
National Police Clearance
Evidence of current immunisations

Students are responsible for meeting work placement requirements and any associated costs.

Avondale Policies
Avondale is committed to an environment of learning that supports the fullest possible human development. To support this Avondale provides an environment that is alcohol-free, tobacco-free and drug free on all campuses.

Avondale has a number of policies to support a positive learning experience and environment for all students studying at Avondale.

For further information see policies