1. What are the course fees and what do I get for my money?

Concessional fees are available to holders of a health care card or equivalent. Fees in the Certificate IV are to be paid in two roughly equal payments before the beginning of each semester. Course Costs cover all tuition, transport, textbooks, camping fees and maps. The course is available to international students - price upon application.

2. What qualifications do I get at the end of the course?

All successful students receive a Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation (SRO40206). This is a nationally-recognised qualification. Students also receive a Statement of Attainment listing all of the units that they have achieved competence in.

Industry-Based Qualifications often form the remaining link in the chain towards gaining meaningful employment. An example of an Industry-Based Qualification which most people are familiar with is a vehicle driver's licence. Whilst the supply of external Industry-Based Qualifications is not the focus of vocational training, there are many Industry-Based Qualifications in the outdoor industry which we feel are necessary and therefore have included as part of the course.

Certificate IV graduates will gain the following industry-based qualifications:

• Wilderness First Aid Certificate (Wilderness Medicine Institute);
• Swiftwater Rescue Technician Level 1 (Rescue 3 Australia);

With further practical experience students can register, with the National Outdoor Leaders Registration Scheme for:

• Conduct high ropes course;
• Conduct low ropes course;
• Abseiling instructor on natural surfaces (single pitch);
• Bushwalking guide in tracked and easy untracked areas.

With further practical experience students can register with Australian Canoeing for:

• White water Skills Award – Canoe and or Kayak;
• Flatwater Instructor Level 1 - Canoe;
• Sea Skills Award.

3. What type of people are successful in the course?

People who:
• Are serious about beginning a career in the outdoor industry;
• Are reliable, dependable and work well in teams;
• Have a strong desire to develop themselves, others and their community;
• Possess a strong commitment for personal development;
• Are adventurous and fun-loving;
• Believe in the inherent value of nature and the importance of its protection.

4. How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered from the Tropical North Queensland TAFE in Cairns, with field trips being conducted in many areas within 4 hours drive.

The program is full-time, four days per week with Fridays usually set aside as a personal skills development day. There are approximately 30 ‘camp out’ nights in the Certificate IV qualification. This requires students to be away from home for up to five days at a time. The program is designed so that each topic is taught in a sequential and interdependent manner, so attendance at all classes is crucial. Class room times are 9am-12 and 1-4pm. Field days 8.30am – 4.30pm. Some camps may require earlier departures and later returns, you will be informed on this. Tropical weather conditions can have an impact on the program.

Some of the locations’ we use for our field trips include: Lake Placid, Barron River, Mulgrave River, Tully River, Atherton Tablelands, Lake Tinaroo, Walsh River Area and Mission Beach to the Daintree (Sea Kayaking). The Certificate IV course runs Monday to Friday with Fridays set aside as a personal skills development day. Practical and theoretical weeks generally alternate.