Bushwalking Leadership Certificate Level

Course code: BLC

Become an accredited Bushwalking Leader with this nationally recognised course. This course differs from the Bushwalking Assistant Leadership Certificate as it trains you as a leader on multi-day walks up to 3 days.

Cost:

$4135 including 6 core units, 7 elective bushwalking units and 12 practical training days.

*Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer that may be applicable, reducing the cost.

Bushwalking Leadership Certificate

2025 Course Dates

April

3 Day Workshop: Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th April – Mount Crawford Forest

3 Day Walk: Friday 25th – Sunday 27th April – Mambray Creek Conservation Park

May

3 Day Skills Assessment: Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th May – Caroona Creek, North of Burra

July

3 Day Workshop: Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th July – Mount Crawford Forest

3 Day Walk: Friday 18th – Sunday 20th July – Mambray Creek Conservation Park

August

3 Day Skills Assessment: Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August – Caroona Creek, North of Burra

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Enrolment Process

The enrolment process starts with contacting our training partner The Outdoor Education Consultants who will arrange an exploratory interview at a convenient time for you. The interview aims to ascertain the level of training you require for your current and future situations based on your previous experience and qualifications.

Book a call here to organise an interview time.

For a more comprehensive outline of the process follow the link below

View Course Application and Fees

Course Summary

Stage 1: – Pre-course learning quizzes
• To participate in the practical training, you will need to have completed the quiz sections of each unit in the pre-course learning to ensure you have the underlying knowledge to participate in the practical training.
• To learn the theory behind what we deliver, you will need to have started reading and completed the quiz sections of each unit in to ensure you have the underlying knowledge to participate in the practical training.
• You will need to have at least provide first aid units before completing this level
• If you have already completed some of these units previously it would have been determined in your interview that you are eligible for a credit transfer possibly.
• For highly experienced outdoor leaders, RPL will appear on your training plan. Your experience would have been recognised already in your interview.
• If you have already completed the units previously. You would have on the training plan a credit transfer which would have been determined in your interview.
• The theory will give you a common knowledge base. This will be linked to certificate 3 core units and of course the tracked bushwalking, lead and navigate units.
• You will need to have at least provide first aid units before completing this level

Stage 2: Practical Training Block 1
• This block is 3 days based on the specific program. (see the course letter)
• The days will be filled with direct training in the learning criteria
• You will be taken through the steps for conducting walking programs.
• Taught and given practical navigation sessions based on the theory.
• There will be 1 day at a base camp shelter.
• Then packing and walking for a 1-night walking expedition

Stage 2: Practical Training Block 2
• This block will be a full 3 day bushwalking expedition
• You will be leading the group a different time
• There will be basic emergency procedures
• You can demonstrate your personal skills through this weekend

Stage 2: Practical Training Block 3

• This block will be a full 3 day bushwalking expedition
• You will be leading the group a different time
• The focus is an assessment of your technical and leading skills

Stage 3: Personal Skills Development and Logging work experience
• You will need to develop your skills to riding, fixing and controlling a bike in blue trails and some black trails for your final assessment.
• Complete the riding session package and log for the indicated number of days in your training plan
• Complete a number of hours in bike maintenance

Stage 4: 1-2 Day Practical Assessment day based on completion level
• Practical assessment will require that you conduct the session
• Teaching, group management, demonstrate your personal skill level
• The observation record in the learning platform

Course Intended for:

The course is appropriate to leaders from:

  • youth groups
  • bushwalking clubs
  • the educational sector
  • government agencies
  • commercial operators

 

Level 2 – Bushwalking Leadership Certificate Training Program (BLC)

Upon successful completion of Level 1 – Bushwalking Assistant Leadership Certificate (BALC), a Bushwalking Leadership SA Advisor is appointed, to guide and support you through the rest of your training.

  • Maximum time for completion is 2 years.
  • Training in basic aspects of leadership and bushwalking skills, aiming to equip candidates to competently lead groups of lesser experienced walkers on walks of up to 3 days mainly utilizing tracks and trails within a half-day walk of assistance in case of emergency.
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Application for Course Entry

Candidates need to be 18 years of age, have completed 5 bushwalking trips in the past 3 years totalling 12 full days of pack-carrying bushwalking. This experience is to include at least one 3 day walk and one walk in which the candidate has been involved in planning and route finding.

  1. Attendance at a Basic Skills Bushwalking Course, delivered by an accredited Bushwalking Leader, OR
  2. Upon application for recognition of Basic Skills Bushwalking and on the recommendation of an Advisor of the Board.

The candidate must hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate, or equivalent, at the time of attending the Bushwalking Assistant Leadership Certificate Course and for the full duration of the Leadership program.

Introductory Training Course

Bushwalking Assistant Leadership Certificate Course consists of a series of overnight workshops, and includes instruction in group management, navigation, search and rescue, leadership and planning. A 3 day walk is included in this period.

Status on completion of this training is recognised to an Assistant Leader level, enabling the candidate to assist accredited Bushwalking Leaders.

Interim Training

  • Walk Planning Project: Copies to be submitted to the Advisor and Development Officer within three months of the Bushwalking Assistant Leadership Course.
  • Bushwalking Experience: Fourteen days bushwalking experience to include at least:
    • One 2 day walk as a participant.
    • One 3 day walk as a participant.
    • Three 2 day walks as a leader.
    • One 3 day walk as a leader.
    • All walks to be logged as a leader MUST be preceded by contact between the candidate and Advisor.

It is a requirement that the log of walks listed above must include at least:

  • 1 trip in cold, wet conditions
  • 1 trip with an adult walking group
  • 1 trip with an adolescent group
  • 1 trip in the Grampians or an equivalent venue
  • 1 trip in the Flinders Ranges North of Wilmington.

An Adviser Accompanied Walk (Recommended)

Walk Planning Project: Copies to be submitted to Adviser within 3 months of the Assistant Leader Training Course.

Assessment

Written Assessment Papers

Written assessment papers consist of risk management, navigation, incident response and route planning.

Please make an independent arrangement with your adviser to complete this or contact the office to arrange for another adviser to supervise your exam

Technical Skills Assessment Weekend: Residential

The Skills Assessment is run over 2 days in an area with challenging topography. The assessment is focussed on navigation skills, camp-craft, incident response and general bushwalking knowledge.

A Group Management Assessment Walk (Minimum duration 2 days)

A Group Assessment Walk (minimum duration 2 days). This is to include preparation and evaluation of the group in terms of: fitness, experience and knowledge; documentation of pre-trip planning; the leading of an appropriate walk; and a self-evaluation of the walk.

The Group Management assessment is the final phase of level 2. Trainees MUST complete all other requirements before they can apply for this assessment. Applications will need to be sent to the Assessment Coordinator along with all relevant documentation (application form, fully filled out Record Book, copy of current First Aid Certificate, full walk details and payment).

Optional

  • An Advisor Accompanied Walk. It is recommended that Advisors accompany candidates on at least one of their leadership walks.

Endorsement

The Board considers that people awarded the Bushwalking Leadership Certificate are capable of leading dependent groups on bushwalks satisfying the following criteria:

  • Length of trip not to exceed 3 days
  • Walks to be undertaken mainly on defined tracks or walking trails, and
  • parties to be within a half-day walk of outside help or assistance in case of emergencies
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About the Bushwalking Leadership Certificate Program

The Certificate Training Program has three levels:

This page displays the second of these three courses (Level 2 – Bushwalking Leadership Certificate [BLC]).

All trainees commence with the Assistant Bushwalking Leadership Training Program and must complete each level before entering the next level.

Each trainee has a volunteer Adviser, appointed by the Board to assist their progress through the course. Regular contact with this person is your responsibility and is an essential aspect of your training.

Training pathway for bushwalking leadership

Training Pathway

The course above is only for an Leader to lead multi-day walks up to 3 days, undertaken mainly on defined tracks or walking trails, within half-day walk of outside help.

The next qualification in our training pathway is Advanced Bushwalking Leadership Course, which aims to equip candidates to:

  • develop a high degree of skill and experience in leadership suitable for longer bushwalks, including prolonged expeditions in remote and difficult mountain areas.