Instructor's Guide to Pony Club Australia Coach Accreditation Adults 18+ 2026

• Working With Children Check: you need a current check applicable to your state.
• Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction: mandatory. Complete it through the PCA Academy tile in JustGo (https://academy.ponyclubaustralia.com.au/enrol/index.php?id=1478) or the Australian Sports Commission course (https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/view_course/19).
• Community Coaching Essentials: a mandatory Australian Sports Commission course.
• National Integrity Framework course: the coach FAQ lists it as mandatory (https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/view_course/9). The level-by-level requirements on the same page list only Community Coaching Essentials and Safeguarding.

Source: Pony Club Australia, Coach Accreditation page, https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/education-accreditation/coaches/. The page does not state a first aid requirement.

Foundation Coach is the entry-level qualification. It is optional, and can be credited toward Preliminary Coach. The steps are:

1. Read the course outline (https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PCANCAS-Foundation-Coach-Course-Outline-2026.pdf).
2. Complete the Community Coaching Essentials and Safeguarding courses.
3. Buy the Foundation manual (which includes a workbook) from the JustGo Shop.
4. Study either the online webinar series or the manual with a mentor.
5. Complete 10 hours of mentored teaching at a club and log them.
6. Pass the written and practical assessments with a Level 1 Coach.

Source: Pony Club Australia, Coach Accreditation page, https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/education-accreditation/coaches/.

Preliminary Coach covers general coaching principles and Pony Club-specific skills, and aligns with the D* Certificate. It is a prerequisite for Level 1. The steps are:

1. Complete the Community Coaching Essentials and Safeguarding courses.
2. Purchase the Preliminary Coach written course through the JustGo shop.
3. Complete the written test online through the PCA Academy.
4. Complete 10 hours of mentored coaching and log them (the coaching log is at https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PCA-Coaching-Log.pdf).
5. Contact your state office or Zone Chief Instructor to register for the practical assessment.

Source: Pony Club Australia, Coach Accreditation page, https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/education-accreditation/coaches/.

You must already hold Preliminary Coach, which is a prerequisite for Level 1. Then:

1. Buy the Level 1 manual on JustGo (https://pca.justgo.com/).
2. Contact your club or Zone Chief Instructor to find a mentor.
3. Complete five unit written assessments (Units 1 to 5), submitted through the online forms listed on the Pony Club Australia coaches page.
4. Direct questions to PCA's Participation & Development Manager at participation@ponyclubaustralia.com.au.

Level 1 is designed for those who will be instructing at the C*/B Certificate rider level.

Source: Pony Club Australia, Coach Accreditation page, https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/education-accreditation/coaches/.

• Foundation Assessor: a Level 1 Coach re-accredited since the 2019 syllabus. Some approved Preliminary Coaches may also assess.
• Preliminary Assessor: an approved Level 1 Coach re-accredited since 2019, who has attended an in-person refresher clinic in the past 2 years and holds the ASC Coaching Essentials course.
• Level 1 Assessor: an approved Level 1 Coach re-accredited since 2019, who has held Level 1 for at least 8 years as an active coach and has delivered a Zone, State or National Coach Education Session in the last 4 years.

Source: Pony Club Australia, Coach Accreditation page, https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/education-accreditation/coaches/.

Preliminary Coaches and Level 1 Coaches need to earn 12 points over four years to maintain their accreditation. Foundation Coaches do not need any points.

To renew you submit the online CPD renewal application form with evidence of your activities and a Coaching Activity Log. The form is at https://form.jotform.com/PonyClubAust/cpd_points_coaches, and the points table is at https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Continuing-Professional-Development-for-Coaches.pdf.

Source: Pony Club Australia, Coach Accreditation page and Continuing Professional Development for Coaches (updated February 2026).

Two activities are compulsory:

• Coaching at an affiliated Pony Club or Riding Centre: 1 point per rally day, maximum 6 points.
• A refresher coaches' school (including an examiner's or coach educator workshop) presented by PCA, a State Association or another approved education provider: a weekend course is 6 points, maximum 6.

Other activities and their maximum points:

• Mentor Coach for a PCA National coaching applicant for at least 6 months: 2 points per mentee, maximum 4
• Coaching other than at Pony Club on a regular basis (at least 3 times a year), such as Riding for the Disabled or private clients: 2
• Attending a judge's school, course designing or technical delegate course or conference run by PCA: 4
• A coaching clinic with an internationally recognised coach or a Level 3 EA coach (at least eight hours watching and participating): 4
• Involvement in State, National or International competitions as a coach (not a competitor): 2
• Writing an article on coaching, riding or horse management available to the Pony Club community: 2
• Completing a TAFE or other recognised tertiary equine course: 10
• A train the trainer course (TAFE, EA, ASC or private provider): 4

Source: Pony Club Australia, Continuing Professional Development for Coaches (updated February 2026), https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Continuing-Professional-Development-for-Coaches.pdf.

No. Pony Club Australia says the Gear Checker Accreditation module is recommended for all coaches, not mandatory. It is listed under the officials pathway at https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/education-accreditation/officials/.

Source: Pony Club Australia, Coach Accreditation page, https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/education-accreditation/coaches/.