In this blog, we’ll dissect the financial aspects of being a Personal Trainer in Australia, revealing:

the average Personal Trainer’s salary
the factors influencing their wage, and
the challenges they face along the way.

Also, for all you current or budding fitness professionals, we’ll explain how Vast Fitness Academy can help you increase your earning potential by obtaining a Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness.

Let’s take a look.

The Fitness Industry in Australia

The health and fitness industry in Australia has experienced a remarkable surge in recent years growing from a US$24.27 million to a $US112.60 million industry between 2017 and 2023.

This growth reflects a broader increase in the overall awareness of the importance of health and wellness in Australia – a trend that was largely influenced by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ultimately, this cultural shift towards healthier living has contributed to a growing demand for gyms, health clubs, and wellness centres across the nation. This means that as Australians strive to adopt healthier lifestyles, the role of Personal Trainers has become more pivotal than ever.

As fitness professionals, Personal Trainers play a crucial role in helping people define their health goals and guiding people toward them. But while Personal Trainers are a valuable component of a healthier society, it’s worth asking the question…

Are Personal Trainers in Demand in Australia?

To answer that question we must first get clear on what a Personal Trainer is.

A Personal Trainer, or PT, is a fitness professional who provides exercise programs and nutritional guidance to clients. At the heart of a Personal Trainer’s responsibilities is the design and implementation of an individualised program tailored to the unique needs, goals, and capabilities of each client.

Overall in Australia, Personal Trainers are in high demand. After the COVID lockdowns put a halt to in-person training there was an initial slump in their presence, however, an ABS Labour Force Survey has forecasted that the number of Personal Trainers is likely to grow to 39,800 by 2026.

This demand for Personal Trainers in Australia has been fuelled by several factors.

Firstly, there is a heightened awareness of the importance of health and fitness in preventing chronic diseases and enhancing overall well-being in Australia.
Secondly, Australia currently has an aging population who are increasingly seeking professional guidance to maintain or improve their physical condition.
Lastly, corporate wellness programs have become more prevalent as organisations in Australia begin to understand the benefits of a healthy and engaged workforce.

How do Personal Trainers make money in Australia?

Personal Trainer income can come from a variety of avenues.

Generally speaking, Personal Trainers can:

lead group classes,
host one-on-one sessions,
conduct corporate wellness programs,
and even venture into online training – a growing aspect of the industry.

The versatility of these Personal Trainer income streams allows Personal Trainers to tailor their services according to their preferences, the goals of their clients and underlying market demands.

There are a lot of ways to earn a Personal Trainer salary in Australia. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a linear path to wealth.

Is it Hard to Make Money as a Personal Trainer?

Although personal training can be a lucrative career thanks to the diverse opportunities for income, Personal Trainers, like any other industry, face unique challenges when trying to build up their full-time Personal Trainer salary.

For starters, building a client base requires effective marketing and branding, especially given the growing competition within the health and fitness industry. Personal Trainers may also find it difficult to balance time and workload as they strive to accommodate the diverse schedules of their clients.

To overcome these challenges and to increase Personal Trainer wages, Personal Trainers can implement several strategies.

Strategies for Personal Trainers to Increase Earning Potential

Effective marketing and branding strategies can help Personal Trainers stand out in a crowded market. Or, in the alternative, landing jobs at gyms or large fitness establishments can reduce the pressure of having to source clients through their marketing channels.

Personal Trainers may also consider, diversifying their income streams by offering a combination of online training, group sessions, or specialised programs that can provide stability and increase their Personal Trainer salary.

However, the best way to improve your earning potential is through Continuous Professional Development.

Why Personal Trainers should obtain a Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness to increase their Personal Trainer salary.

In short, a Certificate III allows you to begin your career working as a group fitness instructor and earn a Personal Trainer starting salary.

From there, obtaining a Certificate IV will set you up to become a qualified PT and ultimately increase your Personal Trainer’s average wage.

The good news is, that both a Certificate III and a Certificate IV can be studied with Vast Fitness Academy. The benefit of obtaining these Personal Trainer certificates extends beyond simply allowing you to practice as these certifications ensure that Personal Trainers stay relevant and competitive in their industry.

What is the average Personal Trainer salary in Australia?

The average salary of a Personal Trainer in Australia varies based on several factors.

According to SEEK, the average Personal Trainer salary in Australia ranges from $60,000 to $70,000 though it varies significantly depending upon a variety of factors.

As far as the average base salary is concerned, indeed say that Australian Personal Trainers earn on average $61.30 per hour. This means that the average certified Personal Trainer salary is significantly more than the average Australian, who currently earns $35.30 per hour.

While these averages are important to know, it’s also integral to understand that these figures vary significantly and are influenced by variables such as experience, certifications, location, and specialisation.

Factors Influencing Personal Trainer Salaries

Experience and certifications significantly impact a Personal Trainer’s salary-earning potential in Australia.

The Certificate III in Fitness serves as an entry-level qualification, enabling individuals to work as Gym Instructors or Group Fitness Instructors, while the Certificate IV in Fitness equips professionals with the expertise to earn a certified Personal Trainer salary.

Location also plays a crucial role in determining salaries, with faster-growing areas generally offering higher compensation. According to Seek, PTs in Perth earn on average $79,999 and in Brisbane, they earn $69,999 whereas, in more established markets like Melbourne and Gold Coast, PTs earn $62,499 and $59,999, respectively.

Furthermore, specialisations and niche markets within the fitness industry can also influence Personal Trainer salaries. Those with expertise in specific areas, such as corrective exercise, sports conditioning, or nutrition, may command higher fees for their specialised services as a result.

What are the Profit Margins for Personal Trainers?

By definition, profit margins represent the difference between revenue generated from personal training income and the expenses associated with running a personal training business.

Certification and ongoing education do constitute an upfront expense for Personal Trainers; however, they are essential to providing high-quality services, staying competitive and earning a higher Personal Trainer salary.

Gym fees or equipment costs are additional considerations, especially for Personal Trainers operating independently. Accessing state-of-the-art equipment or maintaining a consistent space will inevitably incur costs that impact profit margins, however, there are many ways to reduce this such as seeking employment at an established gym or training facility.

Marketing and advertising are also crucial components of a Personal Trainer’s business strategy and as such will require financial resources to maintain a strong online and offline presence.

Finally, there is also insurance and other overheads such as administrative costs and miscellaneous expenses. Together, these costs contribute to the overall operational expenses of a personal training business.

So, with the cost of providing personal training services fairly fixed, the best way to increase your Personal Trainer salary is to obtain a Certificate IV in Fitness, or at least start with a Certificate III in Fitness.

Are you a Personal Trainer looking to increase your earning potential?

At Vast Fitness Academy, our online fitness courses are the latest Nationally Recognised fitness qualifications in Australia.

Our goal has been to create a course that offers flexibility and convenience, without compromising on learning or guidance so that you can earn money as a Personal Trainer as quickly and as effectively as possible.

With dedicated support through our Fitness+ Mentorship program, you can also be allocated a Vast Certified Mentor to mentor you inside their fitness facility. Together, your mentor and our team of Fitness Professionals are ready to guide you toward Personal Trainer income.

Choosing Your Path to the Fitness Industry

With growing demand, the salary of a Personal Trainer in Australia is set to rise.

That means that now is the perfect time to enrol online with Vast Fitness Academy and kickstart your Personal Trainer career with flexible, self-paced study wherever your phone, tablet or computer is.

And if you’re still not sure about which avenue to pursue?

Our friendly team would love to hear from you and together we can assist you in choosing the right course for your unique personal goals.