How to become an Outdoor Adventure Leader or Guide

Provides guided and adventure-based experiential education in outdoor adventure activities.

Main tasks

• Leads and supervises participants involved in a range of outdoor adventure activities
• Instructs and motivates participants and manages group participation and cohesion
• Sets up and maintains equipment, and ensures that outdoor adventure equipment is safe and in working condition
• Demonstrates and provides instruction in the use of outdoor adventure equipment and techniques required for participation
• Provides advice on safety measures, and ensures that activities are conducted in a manner to minimise risk to participants
• Provides first aid and emergency response in outdoor settings

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership (SIS30619); Diploma of Outdoor Leadership (SIS50421); Certificate III in Guiding (SIT30322); Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation (SIS20419); Certificate IV in Guiding (SIT40222); Certificate IV in Leadership and Management (BSB40520); Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation (SIS30122); Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership (SIS40621)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $67,496 a year
• About 4,100 people work in this job group now, and about 4,500 are projected by 2035. (+12%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Basketball Coach
• Diving Instructor (Open Water)
• Football Coach
• Gymnastics Coach or Instructor
• Horse Riding Coach or Instructor
• Martial Arts Instructor

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Outdoor Adventure Leader or Guide?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership; Diploma of Outdoor Leadership.

How much does an Outdoor Adventure Leader or Guide earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $67,496 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Outdoor Adventure Leader or Guide a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 4,100 to about 4,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Outdoor Adventure Leader or Guide?

Usually not. Only 0% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership; Diploma of Outdoor Leadership.

Will AI change the work of an Outdoor Adventure Leader or Guide?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04