It may come as a surprise but, as well as beaches, Australia has some fantastic ski resorts to choose from with plenty of ski instructor opportunities to be grabbed for thoses who have completed a ski instructor course or thoses planning to do one.
While New Zealand is the more popular next-door neighbour when it comes to ski instructing, and to many people seen as the more attractive location to spend the winter, instructor opportunities in Australia abound and can be more available.
So if you’re thinking about winter in the southern hemisphere then consider Australia, as well as New Zealand!
Here is our guide on how to become an instructor in Australia, in 5 simple-steps!
- 1. Gain an internationally-recognised L2 ski instructor qualification
- 2. Obtain an Australian working holiday visa
- 3. Apply for jobs in as many Australian resorts as possible
- 4. Phone interview + practical interview, you might have to travel
- 5. Pass the interview, receive and accept your job offer!
1. Level 2 ski instructor course to gain an internationally-recognised qualification
This is an obvious one, and as we’ve mentioned in various blogs covering other regions, you’ll need to gain an internationally recognised qualification that will allow you to work in Australia. This will need to be at least Level 2. Most widely recognised Level 2 qualifications will allow you to work around the world in the ISIA covered countries with relative ease - and that includes Australia.
With SnowSkool you have 3 options to choose from: CSIA, BASI and NZSIA, with the ski/snowboard instructor couses being taught in France, Canada or New Zealand.
You can get certified with your CSIA Level 2 in Big White or Banff in Canada. Your BASI Level 2 in The Three Valleys France - or your NZSIA Level 2 in Cardrona New Zealand. All of these qualifications will be recognised in Australia and will help you find work down under.
We do not offer the APSI (Australian Professional Snowsports Instructors) qualifications, however NZSIA, CSIA and BASI are recognised equally in Australia and will offer up the same work opportunities.
2. Obtain an Australian working holiday visa
Now that you are qualified, before you start applying for jobs you’ll need to get your working holiday visa approved. Many resorts will not even look at your application unless you have a working holiday visa first, which allows employers to offer you a job if successful in the interview stages.
When applying for jobs, some will ask if you have a work visa or if you are yet to apply. Be truthful, it will backfire on you if they ask for proof. Resorts can offer you a position within a work visa, but that position is subject to your successful work visa approval.
You can check your visa eligibility and apply here – note that age limits apply for working holiday visas in Australia. The age limit is in the process of being raised from 30 to 35. If you’re between 30 and 35 you might need to wait a bit but it’ll be easier to get a working holiday visa soon.
3. Apply for jobs in as many Australian resorts as possible
Now, apply for jobs. Apply widely - every resort in Australia that you can be apply for should be applied for so you’ve got the best chance of getting an interview. You can always move to your preferred country or resort when you have more experience.
And while you are applying for jobs in Australia, apply for other southern hemisphere countries as well. New Zealand is next door and a hugely desirable place to work. The industry within South America (Argentina and Chile) is growing, so don’t forget about those places too.
As the old saying goes: ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’ to ensure you have options and contingency in case your primary visa is denied or your applications are unsuccessful. Getting a job offer somewhere is better than no job offer at all. If you have to go elsewhere, you’ll stand a better chance next time when you come back to Australia with a better CV!
4. Phone interview + practical interview (be prepared to travel)
If your initial application is successful, you will then be onto the next step: an interview! Many resorts will typically start with a phone interview but then ask you to attend an interview day. This day will involve an interview on and off-snow, assessing your teaching ability among other candidates. While traveling all the way to Australia for an interview may not sound appealing to some, particularly with no guarantee of a job, it can be the difference between obtaining a job and not. How bad do you want to work in Australia as a ski instructor?
If you are travelling though – it might be an idea to schedule several interviews in a trip rather than a single one!
5. If successful, receive and accept a job offer!
Hopefully if you do well at the interview stage, this is where you’ll receive an offer and (if you accept) then you have a job in the bag. You have now officially become a ski instructor in Australia.
6. Fancy trying a ski instructor course yourself now?
So, if working as a ski instructor in Australia is on the top of your list then a SnowSkool Instructor course is the first step to make it happen.
Get Step 1 covered with our Level 2 ski and snowboard instructor courses:
11-Week Level 2 Ski Instructor Course in Cardrona New Zealand - meals and accommodation included
13-Week Level 2 Ski Instructor Course in Banff, Canada - flights, meals and accommodation included
11-Week Level 2 Ski Instructor Course in Big White, Canada - flights, meals and accommodation included
12-Week Level 2 Ski Instructor Course in Meribel, France - meals and accommodation included
And here's a case study on ex-SnowSkooler Shaun Rigby who's now working in Australia and part of the national InterSki demo team!