• State contacts
• Other contacts
• FAQs

• 1

  Who do I contact to do a sport specific coaching or officiating course?

  There are more than 70 National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) with courses approved under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) and over 40 in the National Officiating Accreditation Scheme (NOAS). Your National Sporting Organisation (NSO) is responsible for managing these courses. State and regional associations, or sometimes local clubs, run the courses. Contact your national or state sporting organisation to find out what courses are run by your sport.
  
  
• 2

  Who do I contact to do a coaching or officiating general principles course?

  State coaching and officiating centres and sport education agencies are registered with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to conduct coaching general principles courses. In addition the ASC has released an online Beginning Coaching General Principles course. The online course takes approximately six hours to complete and can be done in your own home and at a pace that suits you. The Beginning Coaching General Principles course is available from the (ASC’s) online learning portal.
  
  Remember that a general principles course is just one component of accreditation within the National Coaching and Officiating Accreditation Scheme (NCAS and NOAS). Contact your National Sporting Organisation to find out the sports specific requirements for accreditation within your sport.
  
  
• 3

  I have just been named as coach/official of my child’s sporting team. Can you send me information on coaching/officiating children?

  Information for new coaches and officials can be found on the Tools and Tips for New Coaches and Officials pages. It is important that all junior coaches and officials are appropriately qualified and can provide quality sporting experiences for children.
  
  Good coaching and officiating will lead to positive experiences in sport and can help to encourage life long habits of physical activity. Contact your National Sporting Organisation (NSO) to find out more about programs they offer for junior coaches or officials, or have a look on the Junior Sport website.
  
  
• 4

  I am interested in furthering my coaching and officiating; can you suggest any courses or ongoing education that I could undertake?

  The National Coaching and Officiating Accreditation Schemes (NCAS and NOAS) are progressive educational schemes for coaches and officials with training programs from club level through to elite level available in most sports. Contact your National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for more information on programs they offer.
  
  You might want to undertake a general principles course for coaches or officials. Contact your state coaching and officiating centre for details of upcoming courses. You may also find they offer short updating courses on topical coaching and officiating issues.
  
  
• 5

  Can you tell me what coaching courses, events or conferences are coming up this year?

  Check with your state coaching and officiating centre for information on upcoming courses. Your sport may also be conducting courses or conferences that interest you. Contact your national or state sporting organisation for more information.
  
  
• 6

  How does an organisation become a registered Training Agency?

  The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) registers agencies to deliver coaching and officiating general principles programs. In order to register you must meet the requirements for agencies, complete an application form and pay a registration fee. Go to the Training Agencies section of the website for more information.
  
  
• 7

  Should I take out insurance and who do I contact to get covered?

  Litigation is becoming more common in Australia. It is therefore important for coaches and officials to ensure they have insurance coverage to minimise the risk of personal loss through legal action. When purchasing insurance it is important that you compare policies carefully as they vary greatly in their cover and their price. Coaches and officials should first check with their national or state sporting organisation or club about what insurance coverage they might already have as a member, or an accredited coach or official. Some National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) have specific insurance requirements for accreditation. If you cannot access insurance through your national or state sporting organisation, you can contact the insurance brokers below. Please note that none of their policies have been examined by or are endorsed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

  • Sportscover – Tel: 1800 641260
  • Marsh Insurance Broker - Tel: 1300 300 511 (swimming, personal training and sporting associations)
  • Sportsnet Australia Pty Ltd Insurance Brokers - Tel: 02 9486 3100

  
  
  
• 8

  How can I update my coaching or officiating accreditation?

  Contact your state or national sporting organisation to confirm the re-accreditation requirements and what updating opportunities are available. You can also refer to the Updating information on the website.
  
  
• 9

  I need to change my contact details and check my registration status, what do I need to do?

  Let your National Sporting Organisation (NSO) know your new details, and they will forward this information to the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). Some NSOs allow you to change your details directly through the ASC’s NCAS and NOAS database, please ensure that your NSO is aware of the changes.
  
  
• 10

  How old do I have to be before I can become an accredited coach or official?

  The minimum age for accreditation within the NCAS/NOAS is specified by each national sporting organisation (NSO). 16 years of age is the most common minimum age for accreditation, however some sports have adopted older or younger ages. Contact your NSO for information on your sport’s requirements.
  
  
• 11

  Can I find out more about your resources before I purchase them?

  Check out the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC’s) online publications catalogue. For more detailed information contact ASC Publishing, Tel: 02 6214 1915 or email: pubs@ausport.gov.au
  
  
• 12

  I am doing an assignment on coaching in Australia. Can you provide me with as much information as you can?

  For information on coaching or officiating resources, research and publications, please go to the National Sport Information Centre (NSIC). In addition, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) publishes a range of coaching books and other resources visit ASC Publishing’s online catalogue or, Tel: 02 6214 1915 or email: pubs@ausport.gov.au.
  
  
• 13

  Where can I get information, advice and assistance about harassment-free sport and other ethical issues?

  There is information on a range of ethical issues on the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Ethics in Sport website. You can refer to the ASC codes of behaviour for coaches and official listed on this site. The Play by the Rules website also provides a wealth of information and online training in this area.
  
  
• 14

  I want to become a professional coach. How do I find out about vacant coaching positions?

  There are not a high number of full time paid coaching positions available in Australia. You should contact your state or national sporting organisation about opportunities for employment in coaching in your sport. Regional and state institutes and academies of sport also employ coaches in some sports. Some educational institutions also employ coaches.
  
  

Did you know?

Australia is one of only two nations to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games.

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