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Our Bushwalking Training and Accreditation
Walking SA Education is offering bushwalking training and accreditation from 2025. This is a new addition to the range of services and support provided by Walking SA for the South Australian walking community. Our aim is to provide accessible training and accreditation for volunteers, youth leaders, teachers, personal trainers, support workers, therapists and outdoor educators at the nationally recognised standard.
The initiative includes recognition of experience, training and accreditation. It has the support of a range of industry and community organisations, providing an opportunity for all bush walk guides to connect to the Walking SA community.
Our Training Courses
Our experienced instructors are dedicated to providing high-quality, interactive learning experiences that focus on practical skills and real-world applications.
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- Skills
Bushwalk Skills – Day Walk
Introduction to bushwalking
A short, 3 hour walk and talk introduction to safe bushwalk practices and equipment, delivered by a trained and experienced bushwalk guide, with a useful handout. Small group experiences. Check for dates or get in touch to book a session for you and your walking friends.
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- Skills
Bushwalk Skills – Overnight
Begin your overnight bushwalking skills development here
Basic skills required for independent bushwalking and overnight camping up to grade 3 tracks.
Course Dates
- Course 3 (September 15, then 26 & 27)
- 6:00pm Sep 15 – 27, 2026
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- Guide
Bushwalk Guide – Daywalk
Become a Daywalk Bushwalk Guide
Able to lead day walks up to grade 4 tracks.
Course Dates
- Course 1 (May 30 & 31, then June 6 & 7)
- Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as May 2027 - Course 2 (August 1 & 2 then August 8 & 9)
- Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as August 2027
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- Guide
- Overnight
Bushwalk Guide – Foundation Training & Assessment
Learn to become a Bushwalk Guide by first completing the Foundation training.
Able to lead overnight bushwalks up to grade 3 tracks, and grade 4 with mentor pre-checks.
Course Dates
- Course 1 Training (May 16 & 17, then 23 & 24)
- Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as May 2027 - Course 1 Assessment (June 19 - 21) NEW DATES
- Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as June 2027 - Course 2 Training (July 9 - 12)
- Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as July 2027 - Course 2 Assessment (July 16 - 18)
- Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as July 2027 - Course 3 ASSESSMENT ONLY (Oct 8 - 10)
- 9:00am Oct 8 – 10, 2026
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- Guide
Bushwalk Guide
Become a Bushwalk Guide
Able to lead overnight bushwalks with dependants on up to grade 4 tracks. Building on the skills and experience gained in the Bushwalk Guide Foundation Training. accreditation.
Course Dates
- Assessment (July 16 -18) TBC
- Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as July 2027 - Assessment (October 8 - 10) NEW DATES
- 9:00am Oct 8 – 10, 2026
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- Guide
Bushwalk Guide – Remote
Take your skills to the highest level.
Able to lead bushwalks to grade 5 in remote areas. No direct entry – experience and training equivalence to the full Bushwalk Guide Accreditation needed to participate.
Qualification Pathways
Our courses form part of a qualification pathway. Gain further qualifications as you graduate from courses along the pathway or have Recognised Current Competency (RCC).
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Skills
-
Bushwalk Skills – Day Walk
Introduction to bushwalking
A short, 3 hour walk and talk introduction to safe bushwalk practices and equipment, delivered by a trained and experienced bushwalk guide, with a useful handout. Small group experiences. Check for dates or get in touch to book a session for you and your walking friends.
-
Bushwalk Guide – Daywalk
Become a Daywalk Bushwalk Guide
Able to lead day walks up to grade 4 tracks.
-
Skills
-
Bushwalk Skills – Overnight
Begin your overnight bushwalking skills development here
Basic skills required for independent bushwalking and overnight camping up to grade 3 tracks.
-
Bushwalk Guide – Foundation Training & Assessment
Learn to become a Bushwalk Guide by first completing the Foundation training.
Able to lead overnight bushwalks up to grade 3 tracks, and grade 4 with mentor pre-checks.
-
Bushwalk Guide
Become a Bushwalk Guide
Able to lead overnight bushwalks with dependants on up to grade 4 tracks. Building on the skills and experience gained in the Bushwalk Guide Foundation Training. accreditation.
-
Bushwalk Guide – Remote
Take your skills to the highest level.
Able to lead bushwalks to grade 5 in remote areas. No direct entry – experience and training equivalence to the full Bushwalk Guide Accreditation needed to participate.
Why Choose Walking SA Education
Walking SA Education offers a transformative online training experience that focuses on real-world applications and practical skill development.
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Industry Experts
Practical Learning
Our instructors utilize industry-relevant teaching methods to enhance practical skills and industry awareness, ensuring a rich learning experience.
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Tailored Programs
Personalized Support
We offer programs tailored to your skill level and learning objectives, incorporating practical activities and virtual events for a comprehensive educational journey.
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Interactive Approach
Real-World Simulations
Our interactive approach fosters confidence and practical fluency in real-world contexts, preparing you for seamless professional interactions.
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Industry Insights
Global Perspectives
Gain industry insights and global perspectives through our virtual workshops and events, acquiring knowledge that goes beyond just practical proficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve listed some of the common questions people have below.
If you need some more information or have another question do get in touch with us.
Is this accreditation a recognised national training framework one?
No, training and assessment is not based on a national training package, but instead based on the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS).
How do I know that this qualification will be accepted by an employer, school or other group?
The people behind this qualification are all from the walking community in South Australia and have chosen to work together to create an accreditation that is of the highest standards that they are currently using.
There have been many obstacles for people to gain similar qualifications in South Australia and the walking community recognised that there needed to be an easier way for gaining accreditation while maintaining their high standards.
Why is the assessment cost so low?
In years past, bushwalking leader training has been done on a volunteer community basis to keep cost down and to keep a strong community involvement solely for the benefits of the community.
In recent years there has been a move to national training pack-age training that involves a higher training and assessment cost and this has been an impediment for many.
Walking SA, being the peak body for walking in South Australia and a volunteer, community based organisation has seen the need for a community based training to return to South Australia.
If I have done training with another organisation such as Adelaide University, UniSA, Flinders University or Bushwalking Leadership South Australia (BLSA) but haven’t been assessed for any other certificate, can I be assessed by Walking SA Education essentially continuing on from where I was?
In short, yes.
There are some requirements of currency of experience and training that will likely have to be considered but this accreditation is perfect for those who have not completed assessment with another organisation.
Will I need to be a member of Walking SA?
Yes. The first year of membership is included in the assessment fee and following from the first year the membership will give access to professional development, networking and importantly re-accreditation to ensure currency of the qualification. To maintain those benefits you will need to remain a member.
Are there other benefits of this accreditation through Walking SA?
Walking SA, being the peak body for walking in South Australia is uniquely placed to have access to Government, community and industry support. We have arrangements in place for Insurance cover when training, assessing or on Walking SA events or club walks. As well as the walking community support which includes professional development opportunities, networking and, in the future, employment opportunities.