How To Choose a Studio

How to Choose a Studio or Training Organisation


The Pilates Association Australia is a body established by the Pilates industry as an independent regulatory organisation for the control of quality and integrity within all legitimate approaches to the Pilates Method.

The PAA aims to foster an understanding of what pilates is and the regulation of quality Pilates instruction within studios and training programs throughout Australia.

The following information aims to assist clients and students in choosing a studio or training organisation.

Achieve maximum results

Achieve maximum results

Quality of instruction is key to maximum benefits

Benefits of Pilates

To achieve maximum results:

  • Achieving any of the benefits attributed to working in the Pilates Method will rely upon the quality of instruction, the degree of supervision and your active participation.
  • To be effective, your instructor should be trained through a reputable and recognised Pilates registered training organisation (RTO) and adhere to the prescribed guidelines set out by the PAA.
  • If your instructor/studio is a full member of the PAA, they have met all the necessary criteria for education and professional requirements.

Risk levels

Risk levels

Client risk levels should be appropriate to the instructor’s qualifications

Special client considerations and conditions

Considerations & Conditions:

  • Client risk levels should be appropriate to an instructor’s qualifications.
  • Instructor membership levels are based on completion of basic educational requirements, further education obtained and teaching experience.
  • Sessions with more than 4 participants may not be appropriate for individuals with conditions including, but not limited to, diagnosed muscular skeletal conditions, recent surgery, disc bulges, and other conditions considered to be high-risk.

Graduate qualifications

Graduate qualifications

Pilates Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma

Government accredited qualifications

  • All graduates must hold a government-accredited qualification: Pilates Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
  • All graduates will require membership of a registered Pilates association in order to obtain professional indemnity and public & products liability insurance.
  • On-going training and professional development is essential to maintain membership with the PAA. This is to ensure quality teaching and best practice for clients.

Membership levels

Membership levels

Begin your Pilates career as a PAA Associate Student member

PAA Instructor membership levels

The Pilates Association Australia guidelines for membership are:

  • Associate/Student/General: such members are not qualified to teach the Pilates Method
  • Group Instructor:  Graduate of approved Matwork and/or Reformer Pilates and not qualified to teach other studio apparatus
  • Studio instructor: Graduate of comprehensive course that meets PAA competency criteria
  • Level 1: Graduate of approved Government accredited certification program
  • Level 2: Certification plus minimum 3000 hours experience
  • Level 3: Certification plus minimum 5000 hours experience
  • Level 4: Certification plus minimum 7000 hours experience
  • Trainer Level 1: Level 3 plus Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment
  • Trainer Level 2: Level 4 plus Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment
  • Principal: Certification plus minimum 10000 hours experience
  • Principal Trainer: Principal plus Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment