Upgrade Process

Upgrading your membership

Members wishing to upgrade their membership level may apply online with the following process:

  • Log in to your PAA membership
  • Check your existing membership is up to date
  • Apply using the ‘Upgrade Membership’ link in the lefthand menu
  • Ensure all necessary supporting evidence is uploaded to your member file for approval.

Students: Upgrade before your student membership expires to receive 30% discount.

Upgrade applications with special or non-standard cases may be referred to the PAA Committee for review.

Evidence required for upgrade applications (Group, Studio and Pilates Practitioner Level 1)

Supporting evidence required (if not already on file):

  • Appropriate PAA recognised certification (see table below)
  • Provide First Aid certificate
  • Public liability and professional indemnity insurance (or purchase PAA Member Insurance with your upgrade)
    • in your PAA membership name
    • specifically covering Pilates
    • min. cover $2,000,000 for Professional Indemnity
  • Any outstanding Professional Development Points (PDPs)

Apply Online

Membership LevelQualification required
Group Instructor Mat/ReformerEither:

  • Certificate IV in Matwork (52855WA)

  • A Statement of Attainment for completion of specific units from the following Diplomas:

    Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (10537 NAT)
    Diploma of Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Instruction Method (10828 NAT)


  • Full matwork and/or reformer training from a PAA recognised training organisation or equivalent.

Studio InstructorComprehensive training from a PAA recognised training organisation or equivalent.
Professional Instructor Lvl 1Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction from a PAA recognised training organisation or equivalent.
Professional Instructor Lvl 2Either:

  • Advanced Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction or equivalent from a PAA recognised training organisation

  • Certification plus minimum 3000 hours experience
Professional Instructor Lvl 3Certification plus minimum 5000 hours experience
Professional Instructor Lvl 4Certification plus minimum 7000 hours experience
Professional Instructor Trainer Lvl 1Level 3 plus Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or equivalent
Professional Instructor Trainer Lvl 2Level 4 plus Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or equivalent
Professional Instructor PrincipalCertification plus minimum 10000 hours experience
Professional Instructor Principal TrainerPrincipal plus Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or equivalent

Upgrading to Pilates Practitioner Level 2 and above - Additional evidence

Pilates Practitioner members upgrading their membership above level 1 submit their application as above, plus all of the following:

  • When upgrading from Professional Level One: One signed reference on business letterhead from a Pilates industry peer (e.g. stating how long they have known you and in what capacity). References are not required for subsequent upgrades.
  • Summary table of all teaching hours since gaining your PAA recognised qualification, or since last upgrade (see example below).
  • Supporting evidence of teaching hours:
    1. Employed hours – signed confirmation on business letterhead from each employer verifying dates of employment and hours worked.
    2. Self employed hours – statutory declaration verifying dates of employment and hours worked.

Apply Online

Calculating and submitting Teaching Hours

Teaching hours are defined as actual Pilates contact hours spent instructing clients in either group classes or private sessions.

They are to be documented as an average of hours taught up to a maximum of 30 hours per week, for a maximum of 48 weeks per year and a maximum of 1440 hours per year.

The table below displays an example of how teaching hours should be submitted to support your membership upgrade.

Employed and self employed hours may be combined in one table providing you supply supporting evidence for each.

Studio / EmployerYearAvg hrs p/wkx no. of wksTotal hrs
Bell Pilates20102016 (Jul-Oct)320
Power Pilates20112543 (Feb-Oct)1075
Power Pilates20122843 (Feb-Nov)1288
Central Pilates20133025 (Feb-Jul)750
Total Hours3433

Trainer Level Upgrades

Upgrades to Trainer Level membership require completion and documentation of Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or equivalent, in addition to documented experience hours.

Apply Online