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Scope of Practice

Scope of Practice for Registered Pilates Professionals

Defining the roles, responsibilities and professional boundaries for Registered Pilates Instructors and Teachers

Pilates professionals registered with AUSactive provide a variety of services for a range of clientele across many varied settings. Competency to practice is represented through the registration category held and associated continuing education completed.

AUSactive has developed a position statement that aims to define the Scope of Practice for Australian Registered Pilates Professionals (RPPs). It provides clarity about the role and responsibilities that exist for an RPP in order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of professional services and safeguard the health and interests of people using Pilates professional services. Additionally, the standard aims to provide clarity for collaborative practice with professionals across broader health and community service delivery systems.
Concurrent with the higher-level objectives, it is also acknowledged that adaptation to a changing environment, innovative practice and consumer access to participation should not be unnecessarily impeded by the terms contained within the statement. In this context, the statement is viewed by AUSactive as a living document that will be reliant upon ongoing reflection, review and modification to maintain its accuracy and relevance into the future.

Scope of Practice for Registered Pilates Professionals  

The Scope of Practice for Registered Pilates Professionals has been developed to align with the standards of local and international Pilates registration bodies and organisations.   

Registered Pilates Professionals (RPPs) are qualified to plan and deliver Pilates sessions to individuals and groups for low to moderate risk clientele based on the industry-endorsed Pre-exercise Screening systems. RPPs may work with higher risk clientele (whose conditions are stabilised and managed) after making a written referral to and receiving documented guidance on the exercise program from the clients’ treating medical and/or allied health practitioner.  

Registration Categories and Role Characteristics

Fitness Pilates Instructor  (FPI):

  • Plan and deliver Pilates classes for participation by a group or individual clients with a mix of ages/fitness levels  
  • Trained to deliver Pilates repertoire using the mat and/or reformer as well as small apparatus in line with formal education and assessment
    • Mat - original Pilates repertoire from basic to intermediate exercises and their modifications, progressions and regressions   
    • Reformer – original exercises from basic to intermediate and their modifications, progressions and regressions   
    • Small apparatus – magic circle, Pilates ball and Pilates applications on foam roller, theraband, weights, pole, swiss ball, wedges   
  • Program designs are typically pre-choreographed
  • Typically instructs and demonstrates complete Pilates-based group classes to groups with limited individual interaction   
  • Program designs can be modified to suit an individual or groups needs where appropriate  
  • Typically practices independently and commonly reports to a manager     
  • Commonly conducts classes that are part of an overall regular timetable provided by the employer organisation     
  • Typically instructs classes in predictable settings such as group exercise/Pilates studios within fitness facilities 

Pilates Method Teacher (PMT):

  • Plan and deliver group, private and semi-private classes    
  • May also deliver Pilates exercise programs designed for participation by a group of clients with a mix of ages/fitness levels
  • Often work collaboratively with clients who have managed or stabilised conditions referred from their treating medical and/or allied health practitioner  
  • Provides individually tailored client assessments, program development, instruction and demonstration, supervised Pilates sessions and client reviews   
  • Trained to deliver Pilates repertoire on all Pilates apparatus listed below, including the original exercises from basic to advanced and their modifications, progressions and regressions in line with formal education and assessment.
    • Mat   
    • Reformer    
    • Trapeze Table / Cadillac   
    • Pilates Chair   
    • Barrels e.g., High Barrel, Baby Arc   
    • Small apparatus  e.g., Magic Circle, Pilates Ball and Pilates applications on Foam Roller, Theraband, Weights, Pole, Swiss Ball, Wedges    
  • Typically works independently (may be self-employed or an employee) and may support or lead other registered Pilates Professionals   
  • Typically practices within a Pilates apparatus custom fitness facility and/or Pilates studio but also in a wide variety of other environments (including unpredictable settings such as client homes, community spaces, workplaces).   

To gain or maintain registration, Pilates Professionals are required to complete the minimum level approved education requirements and/or qualification for registration and abide by AUSactive's Code of Ethical Conduct. They must hold a current vocational nationally endorsed first aid and CPR certification. Competency in delivering Pilates services is enhanced through the completion of AUSactive approved continuing education programs or other recognised activities as defined in the CEC Guidelines.

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