Minimum Athletics Coaching Requirements

Athletics Australia requires all coaches to hold an accreditation recognised by the Australian Sports Commission.
Athletes should always seek out an Accredited Athletics Coach with the appropriate level of qualifications and experience for their training goals.

When choosing an Accredited Athletics Coach, you can have confidence that: 

  • They hold professional qualifications recognised by Athletics Australia, State Athletics Associations, and the Australian Sports Commission. This education and formal assessment equips them with a strong foundation in coaching principles, sports science, and athlete development.

  • They are fully insured under the Athletics Australia Coaching Insurance Policy. 

  • They agree to abide by and are held to the standards of the Athletics Australia Coaching Code of Conduct, including the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and are aware of their responsibilities as an Accredited Coach. 

  • They hold a Working with Children Check or have a valid exemption according to the legislative requirements of their State or Territory.

  • They have completed an annual coaching update and have access to the latest resources to ensure that they remain up-to-date.

  • They follow best practices in body composition assessment, athlete data collection and storage, and athlete wellbeing.

  • You have a process for raising concerns regarding the coach's conduct to Sport Integrity Australia, Athletics Australia, or your State Athletics Association.

  • They are eligible to coach within affiliated athletics clubs.

Athletics Australia advises athletes to avoid training with Non-Accredited Coaches

Using a non-accredited coach without a membership to their State Athletics Association has potential risks and disadvantages to the athlete’s safety, wellbeing, development, and performance.

  • Limited Screening: Non-members have not been screened for suitability to work as a coach with Track and Field athletes. They are not bound by Athletics Australia’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding, and Working with Children policies. An athlete has no way to know that the coach maintains the behaviours and standards of a safe and effective coach.

  • Limited Accountability and Evaluation: Non-members do not hold Athletics Coach Accreditation and may lack education in coaching methodologies, sports science, injury prevention, and performance optimisation. As a result, they might not have the knowledge or expertise to develop effective training programs or address athletes' specific needs.

  • Limited Access to Resources and Education: Non-member coaches do not have access to Athletics Australia’s ongoing coach education resources or mandatory ongoing training, meaning there is no oversight of whether they are informed and making appropriate decisions for their athletes’ wellbeing and performance.

  • Lack of Access to Athletics Australia’s Coaching Insurance: Non-member coaches are not covered under Athletics Australia’s Insurance Program and are therefore ineligible for Athletics Australia’s coach insurance coverage.

  • Inability to work within Affiliated Clubs: Non-members are not permitted to coach as part of an affiliated Athletics club.

What do the Levels of Accreditation Mean?

A coaches accreditation level indicates that they have demonstrated the skills and competencies of coaching specific athlete cohorts. Use the information below to ensure that you are training with the right coach for your level of development and training objectives.

Youth Coach (Level 1)

Youth coaches have demonstrated the skills and competencies to work with athletes up to 14 years of age, developing the fundamental movement skills of running, jumping, and throwing through a games-based approach.

Development Coach (Level 2)

Development coaches have demonstrated the skills and competencies to work with athletes 12 years and above, developing the technical model of Track and Field events and building biomotor abilities including speed, endurance, strength, mobility, agility, and coordination.

Performance Coach (Level 3)

Performance coaches have demonstrated the skills and competencies to work with athletes 16 years and above who are targeting high levels of performance at State and National Championships. They specialise in developing an advanced technical model of their chosen discipline, conducting testing and performance analysis, event-specific biomotor development, competition preparation, competition tactics, and strategies to enchance mental performance.

High Performance Coach (Level 4)

High Performance coaches have demonstrated the skills and competencies to work with athletes 16 years and above, targeting major international Championships. They specialise in working within the National Institute System to support their athletes to achieve elite levels of performance.

Recreational Running Coach (Level 1)

Recreational Running Coaches who have demonstrated the skills and competencies to work with runners across a range of running distances and disciplines.  They specialise in developing supportive training environments, understanding the individual needs of runners and providing guidance & programming to enable runners to participate in the events of their choice.

Advanced Recreational Running Coach (Level 2)

Advanced Recreational Running Coaches who have demonstrated the skills and competencies to work with runners looking for performance or distance outcomes across a range of running distances and disciplines.  They provide greater support in providing performance based programs, specific skilled based training such as hill running technique and display a broad understanding of the recreational running market and requirements of runners who regularly participate.