Course Offered by the Australian Climbing Instructors Association

As the premier qualifying body for rock climbing instructors in Australia, the ACIA (www.acia.com.au) operates in major climbing areas across the country. It was formed by the merger of state associations and currently provides courses in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and Queensland.

The ACIA focuses on offering training and qualifications as well as fostering the growth and expertise of instructors. The association avoids overly rigid guidelines, recognizing the importance of good judgment in all aspects of climbing.

The qualification process for each level involves prerequisite experience, attendance at training courses, consolidation time, and assessment courses. This progressive structure enables guides and instructors to continuously develop their skills. An overview of each level is provided below (detailed information can be found on the ACIA website).

• Top Rope Guide (TRG): This foundation level qualification is open to active climbers, familiar with traditional gear and placements through seconding routes. TRG covers the skills needed to supervise participants in top rope climbing and abseil environments.
• Single Pitch Guide (SPG): Entry at this level requires experience and competence in climbing and lead climbing using traditional leader-placed protection. The SPG qualification encompasses the skills necessary for leading participants in all aspects of single pitch climbing and abseiling, including guiding participants on routes while leading with placed protection.
• Multi Pitch Guide (MPG): Participants seeking MPG certification must have progressed through the previous levels and be experienced and competent in leading multi-pitch routes with leader-placed protection. The MPG qualification involves leading participants in multi-pitch climbing and abseiling environments, including guiding on routes while leading with placed protection.
• Climbing Instructor (CI): CI course participants must have advanced through the previous levels. They need significant personal climbing experience and professional experience at the SPG and MPG levels. The CI qualification covers instruction in all aspects of rock climbing and abseiling, including teaching traditional lead climbing, climbing coaching and movement, multi-pitch climbing, and complex rescue scenarios.