# Australian Institute of Fitness

The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) is a privately owned, registered training organisation, and one of the largest fitness training organisations in Australia. Beginning operations as the Health Studio Attendants course in Perth in 1979, the Institute became Australia's first national fitness training provider in 2000, with the merger of five state-based fitness training programs.

## History

In 1979, sports educator and author Nigel Champion began running a Health Studio Attendants course in Perth, the first of its kind in Australia. In 1981, Champion partnered with Australian academic Dr Garry Egger to establish the ACHPER Fitness Leader group of courses in Sydney; before joining, in 1986, with fitness entrepreneur Greg Hurst to establish the Australian Fitness Network. In 2000, Hurst & Champion together with Russell Creagh, Monty Dortkamp, Dr Grant Pavia and Kerry McEvoy, merged five existing fitness training programs – ACHPER Fitness Leader; Australian Fitness Network; Institute for Fitness Professionals; National College of Fitness; and the Australian Institute of Fitness – to create the national Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF).
Russell Creagh served as the first CEO of the consolidated AIF, from 2001 to 2006, followed by Greg Hurst (2006–2011) and Dyanne Ward (2011–2016). In December 2016, Steve Pettit, then CEO of AIF Queensland, was appointed as its National Chief Executive on the retirement of Dyanne Ward.
Since its inception, the founding entities provided a variety of fitness industry-specific certification and training courses. Following the Federal Government's 1996 training reform agenda, these courses were incorporated into the Australian Qualifications Framework. Since 1996, AIF has delivered nationally recognised qualifications in fitness, massage and business, in compliance with the regulatory standards of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
In early 2024, the AIF was acquired by Clean Health, the worlds trusted source of online education for fitness professionals which was Founded by fitness industry legend Daine McDonald, signalling a new era for the company as it transitions into a 100% online fitness education business. The full press release can be found here.

## Company overview
### Board of directors

* Daine McDonald – CEO and Chairman [2024–present]
* Lauren McDonald – Vice Chairperson [2024–present]
* Nouri Groom – Chief Financial Officer [2018–present]
* Paul Siderovski [2024–present]

### Ambassadors

* Michelle Bridges [2009 – 2017]
* Hayden Quinn [2015 – 2017]

## Courses and subjects

AIF is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivering vocational education and training (VET) courses at Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma level. Auditing and registration of Australian RTOs is managed by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), as such AIF's programs must meet guidelines set out by State and Federal Governments and associated training bodies.

### Registered training organisation

Australian Institute of Fitness (RTO ID 121508) is approved to deliver the following qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework:
* Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30315)
* Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40215)
* Certificate IV in Nutrition (11046NAT)
* Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52015)

### Programs and Courses offered

* Master Trainer Program™ (Certificate IV in Fitness SIS40215)
* Master Nutritionist Program™ (Certificate IV in Nutrition 11046NAT)
* Remedial Massage Therapist (Diploma of Remedial Massage HLT52015)

### Monty Dortkamp Scholarships

The Monty Dortkamp Scholarship Program awards one scholarship annually covering the tuition costs of a Master Trainer Program™ certification. The scholarship was established by AIF in memory of Monty Dortkamp, to assist people from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities.

## Awards and recognition
### Notable students and graduates

* Michelle Bridges – Australian personal trainer, author and TV personality
* Libby Babet – Trainer on The Biggest Loser (Australian TV series)
* Laura Dundovic – Model and social media influencer
* Kayla Itsines – Founder of the Bikini Body Guide and social media influencer
* Hayden Quinn – 2012 Cleo Bachelor of the Year, 2011 MasterChef Australia contestant, and co -owner of The Cube Gym
* Emily Seebohm – Three-time Australian Olympian
* Jayde Taylor – Australian Olympian and Hockeyroo
* Libby Trickett – Three-time Australian Olympic gold medalist
* Brittany Elmslie – Represented Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics in swimming.
* Leisel Jones – Gold, silver and bronze medalist in Swimming at the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.
* Matt Hodgson – Australian professional rugby union player for the Wallabies and Super Rugby team the Western Force.
* Tim Robards – 2013 ‘Bachelor’ and founder of ‘The Robards Method’

### Industry Awards

Finalist 2015 NSW Training Awards – Large Training Provider of the Year