What is a HSA Qualification?
Under most National and State Guides and Codes, obtaining a “recognised Qualification” is a required standard of working in and/or operating a business in the equine industry.
Horse Safety Australia qualifications are mentioned in the Safe Work Australia ‘Guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses’ and in the documents linked to the Australian Horse Industry Council’s Code, as well as by the education departments in most states (in their guidelines to schools for horse programs involving students).
Our qualifications are aimed at providing a high Safety Standard within the industry, along with a high level of teaching competency and ability.
There are three main streams of qualification available:
- Riding instructor
- Trail Guide
- Instructor of Horse Handling: Teaching how to work with and handling horses safely – For those only teaching groundwork. Particularly relevant to those involved in Equine Assisted Learning.
Horse Safety Australia is pleased to now offer Online Modules to cover all of the paperwork that was previously provided as a Workbook and other documents that were supplied at the Workshops. We have introduced this as our mainstream option.
See our Modules Page for more details.
It will be a requirement that the relevant modules be completed before attending a Workshop. However, check out our Workshops page as dates are available and can be booked into as soon as your application is accepted.
The process to achieve a qualification is as follows:
1. Start the online modules you need for your intended Qualification (see the link below)
2. Complete and lodge an application form for approval: APPLICATION FORM
3. Pay your Workshop Deposit Invoice (Deposit is $500 and various payment options are available)
4. Complete online modules & receive a completion Certificate
5. Attend a 2.5 – 3 day Workshop where you will complete practical exercises to demonstrate where your skill levels lie, and complete a Written Assessment.
After the Workshop you will receive a report on your demonstrated abilities and it will indicate whether you are at certification level or if more work/experience is required.
If your report advises that you are not ready as yet, we will provide various pathway options and work with you to achieve your certification goals. This may be that more experience is required and final qualification can be applied for later. Assessment can then be done via video or attending a day at a Workshop where possible.
Evidence of current First Aid certification and relevant Working with Children or Police checks (depending on your State requirements) must be provided before a qualification can be issued.
Ready to start? Download the information letter and Application form now!!
There will be support for anyone encountering technical or literacy issues. Please contact us at admin@horsesafetyaustralia.com.au if you need assistance.
Qualifications Information Sheet
Online Modules https://horsesafetyaustralia.learnworlds.com/home
| Qualification Sought | Core Module 1 General Risk Management | Core Module 2 Horse Fundamentals | Trail Guide | Instructor |
| Riding Instructor | $99 | $120 | N/A | $180 |
| Trail Guide | $99 | $120 | $120 | N/A |
| Riding Instructor & Trail Guide | $99 | $120 | $120 | $180 |
| Horse Handling | $99 | $120 | N/A | N/A |