For people aged 16 and over who want to become, or stay, an SMA accredited Sports Trainer (Level 1 and Level 2), 2026. Covers entry requirements, course content, assessment, accreditation length, reaccreditation, Level 2 and insurance.
The minimum age for Level 1, Level 2 and reaccreditation is 16. Younger applicants may be accepted case by case through the local SMA office (or, for Level 2, their state SMA branch).
SMA says Level 1 is aimed at prospective trainers, as well as teachers, coaches, administrators and parents who want the basics of sports medicine.
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-1-sports-trainer/
You need all of the following, and SMA requires evidence of them before you attend:
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-1-sports-trainer/
Level 1 has 11 units:
Concussion management is one of these units. SMA also lists a separate Concussion Management course. Level 2 includes a further concussion management unit.
Sources: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-1-sports-trainer/ and https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-2-sports-trainer/
Level 1 has pre-course online learning, which must be finished before you attend, plus 8 hours of face-to-face training. Listed workshops typically run 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (the ACT workshops run 9:30 am to 5:30 pm).
Listed workshops were $299.00 each. Evidence of your prerequisites must be given to SMA before you attend, and students who do not complete enrolment within 15 business days of the course start date are unenrolled.
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-1-sports-trainer/
Assessment has three parts:
Students who pass receive an SMA Level 1 Sports Trainer accreditation.
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-1-sports-trainer/
Both SMA Level 1 and Level 2 Sports Trainer accreditation are valid for 3 years. SMA describes passing the Level 1 course as the way to become an SMA Accredited Sports Trainer, the standard requirement for the role in most major Australian sporting codes.
Sources: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-1-sports-trainer/ and https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-2-sports-trainer/
You can reaccredit if you hold a current SMA Level 1 or Level 2 Sports Trainer accreditation, or one that expired less than 6 months ago. You also need:
SMA says accreditation should be renewed before it expires.
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/sports-trainer-reaccreditation/
You need a letter of industry experience from your employer or club/association showing at least 50 hours of paid or unpaid work as a Sports Trainer in the last 12 months.
All of the prerequisite evidence (the letter, your first aid certificate and your CPR certificate) must be given to SMA before you start the reaccreditation process. If you cannot provide the letter, SMA says to contact it by email before registering.
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/sports-trainer-reaccreditation/
Renewal is flexible in date, time and place. SMA supplies the documentation for a practical assessment, which is done with an approved health care professional or a Level 2 Sports Trainer. The assessment is a lecturer observation and practical assessment plus a written assessment.
Once the completed documents are returned, SMA processes the renewed accreditation for a further 3 years. Level 1 and Level 2 reaccreditation have separate registration links on the SMA page.
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/sports-trainer-reaccreditation/
Level 2 aims to "further develop the basic knowledge and skills of a Level 1 Sports Trainer".
To enrol you need:
Content (8 units): management of suspected spinal injuries, role of the Level 2 Sports Trainer, injury prevention programs, concussion management, introduction to sports massage, wound management, athlete wellbeing and mental health, and advanced taping.
Delivery: online learning plus 13.5 hours of face-to-face training. Assessment is lecturer observation and practical scenarios, taping (shoulder, knee, elbow, Achilles and plantar fascia) and a theory assessment. Listed workshops were $379.00. Accreditation is valid for 3 years.
Source: https://sma.org.au/safer-sport-courses/level-2-sports-trainer/
Yes. An SMA article on Sports Trainer insurance warns that "you may not be covered by your Sports Trainer Insurance policy" if any certificate required for your accreditation has expired while you work as a Sports Trainer.
The article lists these renewal frequencies:
The article was published in 2018 and says its information was correct at that time, so the policy limits it lists (for example $20 million public liability) may have changed. Treat the currency rule as the main point.
Source: https://sma.org.au/important-information-sports-trainer-insurance/