Scope of Practice for Registered Tai Chi Professionals
Tai Chi Professionals registered with AUSactive provide a variety of services for a range of clientele across various settings. Competency to instruct is represented through the registration category held and associated continuing education successfully completed.
AUSactive has developed a position statement that aims to define the Scope of Practice for AUSactive Registered Tai Chi Professionals. It provides clarity about the role and responsibilities of a Tai Chi Professional. This will enhance the quality and effectiveness of professional services and safeguard the health and interests of people using these services. Additionally, the standard is 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 this 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
The Scope of Practice for Registered Tai Chi Professionals has been developed to align with local and national active health industries.
Registered Tai Chi Professionals have the skills and knowledge to plan and deliver Tai Chi sessions to individuals and groups for low to moderate risk clientele based on the industry-endorsed pre-exercise screening system. Registered Tai Chi Professionals 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 client’s treating medical and or allied health practitioner.
Registration Category and Role Characteristics
Tai Chi Instructor (First two years)
- Plan and deliver Tai Chi classes, which may include selected Qigong exercises for participation by a group with a mix of ages and fitness levels
- Typically instructs and demonstrates to a class with limited individual interaction
- Program designs can be modified, where appropriate, to suit the needs of an individual or group
- Typically instructs independently and commonly reports to a manager or mentor
- 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 studios within the fitness facility
Tai Chi Instructor (subsequent years)
- Plan and deliver group, private and semi-private classes
- Can plan and deliver a more varied repertoire, ranging from basic to advanced exercises
- Typically works independently (self-employed or an employee) and may support or lead other registered Tai Chi Professionals
- Typically instructs a Tai Chi class in a fitness facility or studio but also in a wide variety of other environments, including indoor and outdoor settings, community spaces, council facilities and workplaces.
To gain or maintain registration, Tai Chi Professionals are required to complete the minimum level approved education requirements and/or qualifications for registration and abide by AUSactive’s Code of Ethical Conduct. They must hold a current vocational nationally endorsed first aid and CPR certification as well as insurance.
Competency in delivering Tai Chi services is enhanced through the completion of AUSactive approved continuing education programs or other recognised activities as defined in the CEC guidelines.
