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Australian Performance Support Practitioner High Performance Expectations

Last updated on 14 Aug 2024

Overview

Background

The Australian Performance Support Practitioner High Performance (HP) Expectations is a guide collaboratively developed with leaders across the system. It outlines the level Performance Support staff and contractors engaged to deliver support in these disciplines of practice should strive to attain.

Purpose

The Australian Performance Support Practitioner HP Expectations;

  • Have been developed in line with Australia’s High Performance 2032+Strategy, opens in a new tab to ensure performance support practice is safe, rooted in integrity and demonstrates best practice.
  • Represent the expectations for Performance Support practitioner qualifications and accreditations. Additional personnel considerations such as Performance Support practitioner experience and professional development are not within the current scope of the expectations (guidance regarding this can be found in the Success Profiles).
  • These HP Expectations are over and above the Australian Performance Support Minimum Standards and outlines the standards expected of Performance Support practitioners working in the HP sport environment

Please note, National Sporting Organisations /National Sport Organisations for People with Disability (NSO/NSODs) and National Institute Network (NIN) partners 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.

High Performance Expectations

Biomechanics
  • Professional qualifications:
    • PhD or equivalent (or in process of completion) in Exercise Science, Movement Science or Sports Science, Sports Engineering or a related field.
  • Professional accreditations:
    • ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Level 2
Medicine

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery (MBBS) or equivalent
  • Post Graduate qualifications in Sport & Exercise Medicine

Professional accreditations:

  • AHPRA Registration as a Medical Practitioner
  • Registered Fellow with ACSEP
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 2
Performance Nutrition

Professional qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics from a Dietitians Australia (DA) accredited course; or
  • Bachelor 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 plus Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA) Sports Nutrition Course OR International Olympic Committee (IOC) Diploma in Sports Nutrition

Professional accreditations:

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

Professional qualifications:

  • PhD or equivalent in Exercise Science, Movement Science or Sports Science

Professional accreditations:

  • ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Level 2
  • Current ISAK accreditation if conducting skinfold testing
Physiotherapy

Professional qualifications:

  • Masters degree in Sports Physiotherapy (or equivalent) or Titled Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist

Professional accreditations:

  • AHPRA registration
  • APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist
Performance Psychology

Professional qualifications:

  • Tertiary qualifications and supervised training as specified by the Psychology Board of Australia to meet their registration standard for a Sport & Exercise Psychologist

Professional accreditations:

  • AHPRA Registration as a Sport & Exercise Psychologist

Note:

  • These standards are for Psychologists in a performance psychology role
  • Australian Psychologists who trained prior to National Registration (2010) and internationally trained Psychologists may be unable to register as a Sport & Exercise Psychologist. This does not discount their HP sport expertise
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:

  • Masters degree in Exercise Science, Movement Science or Sports Science or a related field

Professional accreditations:

  • ASCA Elite Level 3 Coach
  • Current ISAK accreditation if conducting skinfold testing

In addition to the role specific HP Expectations, 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)
  • Safeguarding Children and Young People
  • Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering
  • Introduction to Illicit Drugs in Sport   
  • Classification Fundamentals
  • Medical Practitioners Course (This is a requirement for ACSEP Fellows; however, athlete support personnel may also find the course useful)

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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