Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Members should:

• Immediately report any potential claim to BMS,
• Formally document the incident, including details of those involved,
• Submit any formal statement to BMS,
• Report any regulatory investigations or notice of complaint immediately,
• Gather any notes and supporting documentation.

Members should not:

• Speak with any third parties about the claim,
• Assume any legal fees before reporting a claim,
• Offer compensation to independently settle a claim,
• Amend or change any previous medical records once a statement of claim has been received.

If you are aware of a potential claim should contact BMS Group directly at 1800 940 764 or pilatesaa@bmsgroup.com

Lander & Rogers, a leading independent Australian law firm, is pleased to offer summary pro bono legal advice to all PAA members participating in the insurance program. To ensure all eligible members are provided with superior legal defence in the event of a claim or complaint, Lander & Rogers has been retained as the preferred legal provider for claims made under the PAA Insurance Program.

PAA members can take advantage of this complimentary service for practice related questions involving issues such as:

• Privacy and confidentiality,
• Conflicts of interest,
• How to respond to requests for information from third parties,
• Inquiries from your regulatory body,
• How to respond to a subpoena,
• Professional misconduct,
• Ethical obligations, and
• Professional obligations.

Lander & Rogers is one of Australia’s leaders in insurance claims services and offers expertise in all areas of litigated and non-litigated claims.

The Lander & Rogers team not only defends a large portfolio of litigated claims against allied health professionals and health care providers, but also provides specialised services in coronial investigations, disciplinary hearings and complaints resolution processes. The team works closely with its clients to identify what is particularly important in resolving claims, including accuracy, speed, and sensitivity to reputational risk and intelligent and controlled solutions to litigation.

Yes. The PAA PI Insurance Policy provides retroactive cover for past activities provided that there are no known and unreported circumstances that may lead to a claim.

As a PAA member participating in the insurance program, you are covered for a number of additional modalities.  If you require cover for additional modalities which are not listed below please contact BMS on 1800 940 764 or at pilatesaa@bmsgroup.com  to discuss insurance options.

Automatically covered for no additional premium:

• Yoga
• Barre
• Power Plate
• Core Align
• Franklin Method

Yes.  The PAA Insurance Policy provides run-off cover, which means you are covered when you retire. To activate this, you must apply for run-off cover by contacting BMS on 1800 940 764 or via email at pilatesaa@bmsgroup.com.

The PAA Professional Indemnity Policy has unlimited run-off cover, so you remain covered in the event you have a leave of absence (such as maternity leave or leave due to illness).  To activate this, you must apply for run-off cover by contacting BMS on 1800 940 764 or via email at pilatesaa@bmsgroup.com.

No.  There is no cover for when you are providing your services to family members.

The standard BMS policy for PAA members does not cover data breach. However, cybercrime is increasing and if you run a business you should consider protecting your clients data with a  cyber insurance policy.

Contact BMS to find out more.

You must notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and all affected individuals when a data breach occurs via the following link: Report a data breach

The notification must include:

• The identity and contact details of the entity
• A description of the data breach
• The kind of information concerned

A data breach happens when personal information is accessed or disclosed without authorisation, or is lost.

You need to notify a data breach:

• If you are unable to prevent the likely risk of serious harm with remedial action
• When it is likely to result in serious harm to any of the individuals to whom the information relates to

‘Serious harm’ is not defined in the Privacy Act. In the context of a data breach, serious harm to an individual may include serious physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or reputational harm.

Products Liability Insurance covers you for actual or alleged bodily injury or property damage to a third party arising through use of a product sold, supplied, or manufactured by you.

As with Public Liability, this cover will also respond to legal defence costs even if you are found to be not liable for the injury / damage.

Public Liability Insurance provides cover for bodily injury or property damage to a third party that occurs while conducting your professional activities.

This is primarily a legal defence costs cover but also covers settlement costs in the event that you are found to be liable / negligent in causing the injury or property damage.

Professional Indemnity Insurance protects you against allegations or claims of financial loss due to injury, or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, omission, malpractice or breach of duty that has arisen out of your professional capacity as a Pilates instructor. The PAA Professional Indemnity policy will also respond to protect your reputation should a claim occur.

If you have a current claim with your previous insurance company, you will need to continue dealing directly with them.  Any new claims or notifications under the new insurance program can be directed to BMS Group on 1800 940 764.

Yes you can opt back in to the insurance program via the membership area on the PAA website. The insurance policy will be pro-rated to align with your PAA membership renewal.

Ensuring PAA members have access to the most comprehensive coverage, additional, evidence-based risk management material and exceptional service for insurance queries and claims is paramount.

BMS is a specialist broker dedicated to servicing associations and its members and will continue to enhance the Pilates Alliance Australasia Member Insurance Program.

BMS Group is the exclusive broker for the PAA’s member insurance program.

BMS is a Lloyd’s broker and has several global teams, including in Melbourne and Ottawa, dedicated to providing coverage and value-added services to associations and its members.

The Australian and Canadian operations provide coverage to more than 400,000 healthcare and regulated professionals through 60+ associations across Australia and Canada.

This experience gives BMS a unique insight and ability to create and deliver significantly enhanced and continuously evolving member centric insurance programs. This includes ensuring broad, market-leading coverage, evidence-based risk management and exceptional member service.

To find out more visit www.bmsgroup.com/global-affinity

If you have any questions about the insurance program or PAA Indemnity Policy, contact BMS at 1800 940 764 or email pilatesaa@bmsgroup.com.

PAA Conference eligibility: The PAA Conference is an inclusive experience bringing the wider Pilates community together; it is open to non members as well as members. However, PAA membership will entitle you to a significant discount on the price of your ticket .

A CPR certificate is NOT a requirement for PAA membership.

However, you must hold a current Provide First Aid certificate and upload this to your membership file. It must be renewed every three years.

For Full and Mat membership you are required to possess Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance.

Your policy and the document you upload for approval must state the following:

• Your name as it is shown on your membership
• The dates of cover
• That you are specifically covered for Pilates
• Minimum professional indemnity cover of $2,000,000 per claim

For Mat, Graduate Level 1 and all Full memberships you are required to hold a certificate in Provide First Aid, a nationally recognised, comprehensive first aid course.

Evidence of this must be recorded on your membership profile in the form of a current certificate (valid for 3 years).

Full members and Mat members are required to show evidence of approved professional development in the form of PDPs. The total will be required every second year at your membership renewal.

Members are required to accrue the following number of PDPs over each two-year period:

• Full members – 20 points
• Matwork members – 15 points
• Students/Associate members – not required

Evidence of a minimum of 5 points PDP accrual is required each year with your membership renewal. This ensures that continuing education is spread evenly throughout the two-year membership period and currency of knowledge is maintained.

50% or more PDPs must be accrued from Pilates specific courses, which focus on Pilates content, skills and competencies.

50% or more PDPs must be accrued from face to face courses.

Professional development workshops or courses must reflect learning that is of a higher standard than industry entry-level certification.

Check the following links for more information:

Professional development information

PDP accrual table

PAA approved workshop listings

Note: you do not need to upload any documents that are already on file and up to date.

In order to process your renewal swiftly you will need to have copies of the following on file:

Associate General:

• No additional documents required

Student:

• Cannot renew: at the end of your student membership you should upgrade to Graduate Level 1. Please email with reasons for renewing rather than upgrading

Graduate level 1:

• Cannot renew: Graduate Level 1 is only available for one year after qualifying then you must upgrade to Level 1

Mat:

• Provide First Aid
• Professional Indemnity & Public Liability Insurance (min. $2,000,000 per claim)
• outstanding PDP certificates – to total 15 points over 2 year period, min 5 per year

Level 1 and above:

• Provide First Aid
• Professional Indemnity & Public Liability Insurance (min. $2,000,000 per claim)
• outstanding PDP certificates – to total 20 points over 2 year period, min 5 per year

The PAA offer several levels of membership based on qualifications and experience:

Associate Member – General

For persons with an interest in the Pilates Method and its application who have not completed recognised or comprehensive training according to other PAA membership categories e.g. Physical therapists, fitness leaders, clients, general public.

Associate Member – Student

For students who are actively completing a government recognised training course with a PAA recognised provider. On completion of their study PAA students are entitled to apply for Graduate Level 1 which is an exclusive discounted Level 1 membership.

Mat Member

For Pilates instructor who are qualified with a PAA recognised Mat qualification or historical equivalent, but not Diploma.

Full Member

For Pilates instructor who are qualified with a PAA recognised Diploma qualification or historical equivalent.

For more information on PAA membership requirements please visit: Membership Categories

The PAA has several categories of membership to recognise various levels of qualification or experience.  These are:

• Student membership – for students completing a government recognised training course with a PAA recognised provider
• Mat or Full membership – for qualified Pilates instructors who hold a PAA recognised qualification
• Associate General membership – for persons with an interest in the Pilates Method and its application, who have not completed recognised or comprehensive training according to other PAA membership categories e.g. Physical therapists, fitness leaders, clients, general public

For more information on joining the PAA and the requirements of each membership category please visit: Membership Categories

PAA Conference eligibility: The PAA Conference is an inclusive experience bringing the wider Pilates community together; it is open to non members as well as members. However, PAA membership will entitle you to a significant discount on the price of your ticket .

The PAA Strategic Plan is a progressive and exciting 5 year plan to lead the PAA forward.

The mission of the PAA is to advance the interests of the Pilates industry and its practitioners, and promote the discipline to the public and other health professionals. The Strategic Direction outlines these key initiatives to realise the PAA mission

• Set and regulate professional standards
• Promote the Pilates Method and its practitioners
• Support learning and research
• Provide services to members
• Promote the interests of the PAA
• Best practice governance

Please view the full document here: Strategic Plan

Committee meetings occur at approximately 3 monthly intervals, with additional meetings during a Conference year.

You may nominate for a place on the Committee when one becomes available. There are also opportunities to join one of the PAA sub committees.

Sub committees are formed to manage on going areas of the organisation such as Education or Research, as well as for specific projects such as the biennial PAA Conference. There is a list of the various PAA subcommittees and their members here: PAA Subcommittees

The constitution or ‘rules’ of a not-for-profit such as the PAA are a roadmap for running the organisation.  It is also a legal requirement that an organisation and its members follow the rules of the organisation.

The PAA Constitution can be found here: PAA Constitution

All financial members of the PAA are eligible to attend the AGM.

Carolyn Antony, Member Relations Officer

Membership and general enquiries:

Office Hours: 2.30pm – 6.30pm (Mon – Fri)

Email: info@pilates.org.au

Phone: 02 4024 2632

Kerry Haywood, System Support Officer

Technical support, health fund enquiries, accounts, advertising:

Office Hours: 9am – 2.30pm

Email: support@pilates.org.au

Phone: 0412 581137

A full list of the PAA Committee members and their biographies can be found here: Committee Members

In the first instance please address enquiries to the one of the following:

Membership and general enquiries:

Carolyn Antony, Member Relations Officer

Office Hours: 2.30pm – 6.30pm (Mon – Fri)

Email: infopilates.org.au

Phone: 02 9969 3150

Technical support, health fund enquiries, accounting, advertising:

Kerry Haywood, System Support Officer

Office Hours: 9am – 2.30pm

Email: support@pilates.org.au

Phone: 0412 581137

The date of the next Annual General Meeting, and all other Committee Meetings, can be found here: Committee meeting dates

When a position arises on the Committee, eligible candidates are selected by nomination and elections take place to decide the new committee member.

Elections normally take place at the Annual General Meeting of the PAA and all financial (paying) members are eligible to vote.

The PAA is managed by a committee of elected volunteers who are chosen from existing PAA members.

When a position arises eligible PAA members may be nominated and elections are held to choose a candidate for the new position. This normally occurs at the AGM.

The standard term of office is 3 years, with a maximum tenure of 3 consecutive terms.

There is more information about the current committee here: PAA Committee

PAA Mission Statement

To advance the interests of the Pilates industry, and promote the discipline to the general public and other allied health professionals.

PAA Aims

• to promote understanding and regulation of quality instruction within studios and Pilates training programs
• to encourage relevant knowledge, skills and application for clients or students of the Pilates Method
• to create an industry based on competency and the flow of legitimate, informed and non-biased information
• to set professional standards and maintain the integrity of Pilates Method instruction, education and information
• to maintain industry authenticity through certification programs that trace directly back to Joseph Pilates’ instruction, whilst also acknowledging modern scientific understanding of body movementn
• to support and inform the general public in the safe and inspiring implementation of the Pilates Method
• to be a proactive body within Australian allied health industries
• to promote professional Pilates practitioners, their education and contribution to the Australian health and wellbeing industry
• to progress the profession of Pilates, its workplace standards and career paths.

The Pilates Alliance Australasia (PAA) is an independent and not-for-profit organisation established by the Pilates industry as a regulatory body for control of quality instruction, member support and integrity within all legitimate approaches to the Pilates Method.

Read more:

About the PAA: Mission, aims and objectives

The PAA Committee

Strategic Plan

Information about Pilates Instructor pay rates can be found in the members area of the PAA website and is available to PAA members only. The information is aligned with the Fitness Award 2010 which is the award that Pilates sits under, according to Fairwork.gov.au.

Fitness Industry Award 2010

To view the document you will need to log in to your PAA membership, go to Resources and then look in the Documents Library for ‘Recommendations for Rates and Engagement of Pilates Method Instructors’.

PAA Conference eligibility: The PAA Conference is an inclusive experience bringing the wider Pilates community together; it is open to non members as well as members. However, PAA membership will entitle you to a significant discount on the price of your ticket .

Evidence can be in the form of an invoice or letter displaying the following information:

• the date of the workout
• the provider’s business information (logo, business name, address, contact details i.e. a standard letterhead)
• the name of the instructor providing the workout
• the name of the recipient
• the duration of the workout

Yes, the majority of the workshops listed in our Approved Workshop section are open to the general public. They have simply been submitted for our assessment process which means our members can accrue points by attending.

There may be one or two that are aimed at specific groups​​ or have special entry requirements. If anything listed interests you, please contact the organiser to find more details.

Hint: the last column in the workshop list tables is a link to the organiser’s website.​​

In recognition that remote and regional members may find it more difficult to attend approved face to face workshops, additional points may be accrued from approved online workshops and Pilates sessions with PAA Education Body faculty members or PAA Principal members.

Check the PDP accrual table for details.

If you live in one of the following states you are considered a remote member:

• NT
• WA
• ACT
• SA

If you are not classed as remote, but live over 100km from the following cities then you are a regional member:

• Brisbane
• Sydney
• Melbourne

To be legally allowed to work in Australia, all overseas visitors and immigrants must hold an appropriate work visa, regardless of their qualifications. Check the following government websites for further details:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia

https://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigration-and-visas/work-visas

Once you have your visa, Pilates is not a regulated industry in Australia so you are not required by law to be registered or licensed with a professional organisation in order to instruct. However, many instructors find that joining the PAA gives them credibility and shows their commitment to the Pilates profession in Australia. It is also a useful source of support and advice for members.

You will also, in most cases, be expected to hold a comprehensive First Aid qualification, (i.e. Provide First Aid HTLAID003) and have Professional Indemnity and Personal Liability insurance cover.

We suggest calling St John’s Ambulance who can recommend the type of first aid equipment and signage your studio needs and can also provide ongoing first aid products to keep your kits up-to-date.

St John’s: 1300 360 455

St John’s Ambulance

First log in to your membership and check whether you need to update, or add, any documents with this renewal (Provide First Aid, Professional Indemnity & Public Liability Insurance, PDP certificates).

Note: you do not need to upload any documents that are already on file and up to date.

• Use the menu to the left of the member log in and choose ‘Apply Now’ (see diagram)
• Then select ‘Renew Membership’

First log in to your membership: member login

Then use the menu at the top left (see diagram) and choose Upload Documents.

Use the browse button to search your device for the file you wish to upload and select it, then press upload. If it has uploaded correctly it will appear in the document list on your file.

If you need a screenshot to send to support the following instructions might help:

Mac:

Keyboard Press Command-Shift-3 (This saves the screen to a file on your desktop)

Windows:

Keyboard Press Ctrl-PrtScn (This saves the screenshot to Memory)

Apple device

• press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on the top or side of your device.
• immediately press and release the Home button.
• to find your screenshot, go to the Photos app > Albums and tap Camera Roll.

Android device

• press the power button and volume-down button together
• hold for a few seconds until the screen flashes to signal the screengrab has been captured.
• it will be saved in a screenshots folder in the gallery.

If this doesn’t work and your phone has a ‘Home’ button try using the home and volume-down buttons.

Note: on some mobile devices the steps may vary due to manufacturer settings.