National Martial Arts Instructor Accreditation Scheme

What is Accreditation?

The NMAS (National Martial Arts Instructor Accreditation Scheme) is the key industry accreditation program for martial arts instructors in Australia .

Established in 1995 the NMAS caters to the Accreditation of all martial arts instructors (whether sportive, non sportive, self defence, cultural etc).

The NMAS is the only Accreditation Program that caters to all sectors of the martial arts industry.

The NMAS is certified by RABQSA (under International Standard ISO 17024 – Joint Accreditation Scheme of Australia and New Zealand.

What Accreditations are recognised in Australia?

There are only two types of accreditation that are recognised:

1. Industry Accreditation, under ISO 17024, is provided by the National Martial Arts Instructors Accreditation Scheme (administered by the Martial Arts Industry Association); this is provided by stand alone courses delivered by the MAIA and its agents or in conjunction with the Australian Qualifications Framework.

The MAIA provides Industry Accreditation in both sportive and non sportive martial arts and covers all disciplines, arts and styles as well as self defence and eclectic (combined) martial arts.

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a nationally recognised process that establishes a martial arts instructor is able to provide instruction in a manner that is safe, responsible, and accountable with appropriate levels of understanding as to their legal and community obligations.

Specifically, accreditation:

* Verifies the martial arts bona fides of an instructor

* Ensures the instructor has a minimum first aid qualification

* Ensures the instructor has a minimum training standard in Instructing Principles, Sports Psychology, Training Methods, Communication, and Legal Responsibilities.

* Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what constitutes safe practice in exercise

* Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what the instructor’s responsibilities are under Occupational Health and Safety

* Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what the instructor’s responsibilities are under the appropriate consumer protection legislation in the State in which they teach

* Ensures an instructor has a minimum training standard in what the instructor’s responsibilities are in dealing with complaints involving sexual harassment and discrimination in the martial arts industry

* Ensures that the consumer is dealing with an instructor who is bound by the National Code Of Practice For Martial Arts Centres and Instructors

Accreditation Levels

Recognised Accreditation is a progressive instructor education program with three levels.

The courses include the following components:

* Instructing Principles/Risk Management - Fundamentals of
instructing, athletic performance and risk management

* Martial Art Specifics - Skills, techniques, strategies and scientific approaches specific to the particular sport

* Practical - Practical instructing and an application of instructing principles

Level One:
Is the base entry or minimum level of accreditation that can be obtained. Maximum time for completion of the course is six months

Level Two:
The Level 2 course is more demanding and acquaints the instructor
with the instructing sciences and their application to instructing. Maximum time for completion of the course is 12 months

Level Three:
This is an advanced course designed to assist instructors develop competencies necessary to work with students and/or athletes at an elite level.

Advanced planning and training methods are covered and instructing sciences are applied specifically to martial arts training.

The course is completed over a two year period

Please note:

i. that any qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework IS NOT of itself sufficient to be deemed an Accreditation – the AQF does not accredit instructors.

ii. that the Coaching General Principles certificate that can be secured from TAFE colleges and other providers DOES NOT qualify an
instructor as Accredited.

Accredited instructors are also bound by the National Code Of Practice For Martial Arts Centres and Instructors and must carry appropriate levels of public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

If you wish to check on the Accreditation status of an instructor, the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA) provides for free a National Accreditation Record Service that can be accessed by telephoning
02 8116 9822.

An accredited instructor will be able to show you his or her accreditation card.

Examples of these cards are shown here:

NMAS (MAIA) Photo ID Accreditation Card

NCAS (Australian Sports Commission) Accreditation ID Card

Applications

Instructor Accreditation

MAIA Accreditation Application
(MAIA Accreditation Application.pdf)

Course applications can be downloaded from the
Publications and Forms section of this website.

Please note emailed, faxed or phone bookings for courses will not be accepted. To book for a course a completed application form with the required deposit must be posted to the address on the form before the course booking cut-off date.

Course Dates and Venues

Course dates and venues can be found in the Accreditation Course dates section of this site. Click here

Course Fees

Course fees are fully inclusive of all texts and support materials. Fees as at January 1 2006 are as follows:

MAIA Member Level One Course $225
MAIA Member Update Course $160
Non-Member Level One Course $375