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Australian Performance Support Practitioner Minimum Standards

Last updated on 11 July 2025

Overview

Background

The Australian Performance Support Practitioner Minimum Standards represent the minimum standards for Performance Support staff and contractors engaged in these disciplines of practice by National Sporting Organisations/National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability (NSO/NSODs), and the National Institute Network (NIN) organisations. Organisations engaging performance support staff are also required to be aware of the requisites and best practice recommendations of Sport Integrity Australia’s National Integrity Framework, opens in a new tab and associated policy standards available here National Integrity Framework | Sport Integrity Australia, opens in a new tab.

Purpose

The Australian Performance Support Practitioner Minimum Standards;

  • Provide a foundation for NSO/Ds and the NIN to ensure quality Performance Support delivery for sport. These were originally developed in response to the Australian Government’s Senate Inquiry into “The Practice of Sports Science in Australia” and the subsequent adoption of national accreditation schemes for sport scientists and strength and conditioning coaches (announced in December 2017 and required by 1 January 2019).
  • Represent the minimum standards for Performance Support practitioner qualifications and accreditations. NSO/Ds and the NIN are encouraged to establish personnel standards over and above these (guidance can be found in the Australian Performance Support Practitioner High Performance Expectations). Additional personnel considerations such as Performance Support practitioner experience and professional development are not within the current scope of the standards (guidance regarding this can be found in the Success Profiles).
  • Form part of the AIS SSSM Best Practice Principles, which are part of ASC Sports Governance Principles. Further requirements relating to staff integrity and capability are outlined in the AIS SSSM Best Practice Principles which should be read with the Australian Performance Support Practitioner Minimum Standards for full context. The AIS SSSM Best Practice Principles are available on the Australian Sport Commission website.

Please note, NSOs should ensure due process is followed when engaging international Performance Support practitioners to provide services outside of Australia, to ensure Performance Support practitioners of an equivalent standard are engaged.

Minimum Standards

Biomechanics

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Exercise Science, Movement Science or Sports Science, Sports Engineering or a related field

Professional accreditations:

  • ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Level 1
Medicine

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery (MBBS) or equivalent

Professional accreditations:

  • AHPRA Registration as a Medical Practitioner
Performance Analysis

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Exercise Science, Movement Science or Sports Science, Data Science/Analytics or a related field

Professional accreditations:

  • ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Level 1
Performance Nutrition

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics from a Dietitians Australia (DA) accredited course; or
  • Bachelor degree of Science or a related field, followed by a postgraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from a DA accredited course; or
  • Dietetic Skill Recognition (DSR) examination for overseas trained Dietitians, administered by DA

Professional accreditations:

  • Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) with DA
  • Accredited Sports Dietitian (ASD) with SDA
Physiology

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Exercise Science, Movement Science or Sports Science

Professional accreditations:

  • ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Level 1
  • Current ISAK accreditation if conducting skinfold testing
Physiotherapy

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy or equivalent

Professional accreditations:

  • AHPRA Registration as a Physiotherapist
Psychology

Professional qualifications:

  • Tertiary qualifications and supervised training as specified by the Psychology Board of Australia to meet their General Registration Standard

Professional accreditations:

  • AHPRA Registration as a Psychologist
Soft Tissue Therapy

Professional qualifications:

  • Diploma of Remedial Massage

Professional accreditations:

Practitioner-level membership of:

  • Massage & Myotherapy Australia (MMA); or
  • Association of Massage Therapists (AMT); or
  • Myotherapy Association of Australia (MA); or
  • Australian Natural Therapies Association (ANTA); or
  • Massage Association of Australia (MAA); or
  • Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS)
Strength & Conditioning

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Exercise Science, Movement Science or Sports Science or a related field

Professional accreditations:

  • ASCA Professional Coach Level 2
  • Current ISAK accreditation if conducting skinfold testing

In addition to the role specific minimum standards, all Performance Support staff and contractors must meet the following requirements before practicing:

First Aid/CPR

Current First Aid and CPR accreditation from a recognised Australian authority (with the exemption of Psychology and Nutrition practitioners that do not travel with athletes).  Note: First Aid/CPR are a requirement for professional accreditation in certain disciplines.

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA)

Complete Sport Integrity Australia e-learning modules (Sport Integrity Australia eLearning: Log in to the site), opens in a new tab

  • Anti-doping Fundamentals
  • Annual Update (Updated yearly to reflect changes in WADA Prohibited list and any other integrity updates relevant to the sport sector)

Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check

Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check is required, consistent with the state and territory jurisdiction and organisation’s policies.

Criminal History Check

Criminal history record checks — as required, consistent with the state and territory jurisdiction and organisation’s policies.

Insurance

Covered by an appropriate level of current Public & Products Liability Insurance as well as Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Reference Check

Ensure qualifications and experience are thoroughly verified by conducting reference checks with previous/current employers and professional peers to assess a candidate’s suitability for working with young and vulnerable athletes, work performance, professional behaviour, and any past disciplinary actions; obtaining certified copies or official transcripts of qualifications; and ensuring any certifications and licenses are current. Additionally, investigate any integrity issues that could impact the organisation, including past or current anti-doping rule violations, criminal history, professional misconduct, ethical adherence, and potential conflicts of interest.

Ensure that all checks are conducted in accordance with relevant privacy laws and other applicable legislative provisions regarding information disclosure, and organisational policies.

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