About
About the Australian Climbing Instructors' Association
The Australian Climbing Instructors' Association (ACIA) is an incorporated body formed in 2000 by the merger of state based professional climbing instructor organisations. The Climbing Instructors Association (CIA), incorporated in Victoria in 1990 and including NSW, and the Rockclimbing Instructors Association of Queensland (RIAQ) dissolved as separate state bodies and now operate under the national banner of the Australian Climbing Instructors' Association. In 2015 Western Australia also joined the ACIA. Its formation was driven by a desire to unify climbing instructor accreditation nationwide, to improve the quality of instruction, promote environmental sensitivity, and liaise with government and related bodies.
As well as providing training opportunities, the ACIA aims to promote the interests of its members on a range of important issues: insurance, access, land management, and national recognition of qualifications. The Association has been active in providing input to the process of producing a nationally accredited framework for outdoor leadership qualifications, the National Training Packages.
The ACIA is the leading rock-climbing instructor qualifying body in Australia, recognised by more private businesses and educational organisations than any other qualifying body.
MANAGEMENT
The ACIA is managed by a voluntary advisory board, consisting of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and up to 12 committee members with representatives from each of the participating regional organisations. The Association employs a part time executive officer and has a regional representative in each state. The executive officer is the central contact point for all members. Certificates of accreditation are recognised nationally, and a registry of qualified guides is maintained. This is available through the national office and can also be viewed on the website.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to anyone who agrees with the aims and goals of the ACIA (below). Fully qualified members will be on the national registry of guides, have voting privileges, receive all ACIA benefits (professional development opportunities, professional discounts) and receive updates and newsletters. An associate membership is available for organisations (gyms, climbing schools, etc.) or non-accredited individuals who wish to support the Association.
PURPOSES OF THE ASSOCIATION
- Represent the interests of professional rock-climbing instructors and guides.
- Promote professional standards of rock-climbing guiding and instruction which include: nationally recognised standards of guiding and instruction, commitment to environmental and cultural sensitivity and sustainability, commitment to high quality climbing instruction & guiding, and adherence to the code of conduct.
- Liaise with other organisations and stakeholders involved in cliff based activities on a regional, national and international level.
- Encourage the development of a body of knowledge through ongoing research, training, assessment and other related activity.
- Assume an advisory role to land managers, educational institutions, peak activity bodies, government, and quasi-government agencies on issues of importance related to cliff environments.
THE TRAINING SCHEME
The emphasis of the scheme is on providing opportunities for training and an incentive for instructors to increase their experience and abilities. The association tries to avoid being overly prescriptive in its approach, believing that the development of good judgement in all aspects of climbing is of primary importance.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more detailed course information please contact our National office.
ACIA levels
The ACIA operates with three pathways and several levels of qualification. In each pathway the qualification levels are sequential and each build upon the knowledge, skills and experience of the lower levels. At each level there is a training course and subsequent assessment, separated by an interim training period with a logbook requirement.
Indoor Climbing Pathway -
Indoor Climbing Guide (ICG)
Entry criteria: Must have a keen interest in working in the climbing industry in an indoor/ artificial climbing situation and have appropriate experience of indoor climbing and associated skills. At this level the candidate is not required to lead climb. No previous guiding experience is necessary. Individuals who satisfy the assessment requirements at this level will be competent to conduct indoor top rope and bouldering sessions.
Indoor Climbing Instructor (ICI)
Entry criteria: Must be a qualified and experienced ICG (or TRG, SPG), and have significant personal indoor lead climbing experience, leading indoor routes confidently. Individuals who satisfy assessment requirements at this level will be competent to instruct and teach all aspects of indoor climbing, including teaching clients to independently lead climb indoors.
Sport Climbing Pathway -
Top Rope Guide - climb/ abseil (TRG)
Entry criteria: Must have a keen interest in working in the rock-climbing industry in a top rope climbing / abseil situation and have some experience in climbing and associated skills. This is the only level where the instructor is not required to lead climb. No previous guiding experience is necessary. Individuals who satisfy the assessment requirements at this level will be competent to conduct top rope climbing and abseiling sessions.
Sport Climbing Instructor - single pitch (SCI)
Entry criteria: Must be a qualified and experienced TRG (or SPG), and have significant personal Sport climbing experience, leading bolted routes confidently at grade 18. Individuals who satisfy assessment requirements at this level will be competent to instruct and teach all aspects of single pitch Sport climbing, including teaching clients to independently lead sport routes.
Traditional Climbing pathway -
Single Pitch Guide (SPG)
Entry criteria: Must be a competent and independent lead climber on traditional gear up to a minimum of grade 10. No previous guiding experience is necessary. Individuals who satisfy the assessment requirements at this level will be competent to conduct single pitch climbing and abseiling guiding (single pitch only).
Multi-Pitch Guide (MPG)
Entry criteria: Must have completed Single Pitch Training, or gained an exemption from this training through the national board of the ACIA. Individuals who satisfy the assessment requirements at this level will be competent to guide people on MP climbs and abseils and must lead climb to a minimum of grade 14.
Climbing Instructor (CI)
Entry criteria: Must have completed the training for Multi-Pitch Guide. A high level of technical competence must be demonstrated (i.e. onsight leading grade 16, or other means).Individuals who satisfy the assessment requirements at this level, will be competent to teach others to be independent climbers (top-rope and lead climbing) and abseilers.
Instructor Trainer/Assessor (ITA)
This level of qualification is required of all instructors working on ACIA courses. To be involved in the delivery of ACIA courses individuals must be a current CI and demonstrate the judgment and experience required to conduct assessment of the previous levels. It is also necessary to participate in a negotiated apprenticeship system with current ACIA assessors.
Currency and Professional development
To be considered as current all guides and instructors are required to meet specific requirements, including,
- Being actively involved in guiding/ instructing at the level of their qualification
- Attending a practical revalidation / Professional development event within the previous three years
- Maintaining a valid First Aid qualification
- Qualified guides/ instructors at all levels are required to be fully paid-up members.
