Real work, real qualifications, real wages, while you finish school.
The Leisure Employment Australia (LEA) School Based Traineeship is designed for senior high school students who want to gain real workplace experience, nationally recognised qualifications and paid employment in the aquatics and recreation industry.
Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation (SIS30122)
Swim teaching and lifeguard opportunities
Fully funded training
Ongoing student welfare support
Paid part time employment
Pathways to long term employment with BlueFit
Who this is for.
This program is ideal for students aged 16 and over who tick at least one of these boxes.
Enjoy working with people and children
You enjoy being around others and thrive in a fun, energetic environment.
Interested in sport, health or community recreation
You're passionate about staying active and making a positive impact in your community.
Want a career pathway while still at school
Get a head start, earn a real qualification before you've even finished Year 12.
Motivated to learn practical workplace skills
You'd rather learn by doing than by reading about it in a textbook.
Three things, happening at once.
Your traineeship combines three key components, School, Study and Work.
School
Your traineeship contributes towards your secondary school studies. You may receive timetable flexibility or curriculum release time to complete training and workplace learning.
Study
You will complete nationally recognised industry qualifications including Swimming & Water Safety Teacher, Pool Lifeguard, Lifeguard, First Aid and CPR.
Work
You will work a minimum of 7.5 hours per week in a BlueFit facility gaining hands on experience in roles such as Swim Teacher and Lifeguard.
You're not on your own.
LEA provides structured support throughout the entire traineeship. Real people, real check-ins, all the way through.
Dedicated consultant guidance
A real person assigned to you for the whole traineeship, not a chatbot, not a help desk. You'll know their name and have their number.
Guided study and workplace training
Online sessions, in-person workshops in the school holidays, and on-the-job coaching from supervisors who actually want you to succeed.
Progress reports
Regular updates so you, your school and your parents know exactly where you're at, no surprises at the end of the year.
Regular check-ins
A 1:1 with your consultant to celebrate your progress, tackle challenges, and help you stay on track.
Where it leads.
Many trainees continue into casual or ongoing roles with BlueFit after completing their traineeship.
W
O
K
B
Every state does it a bit differently. Tap yours to see what you need.
NSW
New South Wales
13 locations
QLD
Queensland
6 locations
SA
South Australia
3 locations
VIC
Victoria
11 locations
WA
Western Australia
5 locations
NSW
New South Wales
WHO CAN APPLY
Must be 16 years old by year 11 commencement
HOURS YOU'LL WORK
Year 10 student · Minimum 2 shifts per week (7.5 hours total)
TOTAL OVER THE PROGRAM
~7.5 hrs/week over 24 months — Total hours = 760
HOW YOU STUDY
Monthly Online Study Sessions via Virtual Classroom (Year 11 only) + Holiday Study Sessions (where applicable)
COUNTS AT SCHOOL
Contributes 2 units towards both your Preliminary and HSC curriculum. As an SBT you may be assigned curriculum release time to complete study or attend the workplace; the majority of hours are completed outside school hours.
WHO RUNS THE TRAINING
Australian Training Company (ATC) — 5673
ALSO NEED TRAINING
13 sites
Bankstown — BlueFit Swimming
Carlingford — BlueFit Swimming
Casula — BlueFit Swimming
Chatswood — BlueFit Swimming
Emerald Hills — BlueFit Swimming
Hurstville Aquatic Centre
Holsworthy
Lane Cove Aquatic Centre
St Leonards - BlueFit Swimming
Newcastle Pools (Lambton Pool — Primary Site)
Mosman Swim Centre
Mount Annan Leisure Centre
Oran Park Leisure Centre
Prospect — BlueFit Swimming
Sans Souci Leisure Centre
QLD
Queensland
WHO CAN APPLY
Must be 16 years old
HOURS YOU'LL WORK
Current Year 10, 11 or 12 student · Minimum 2 shifts per week (7.5 hours total)
TOTAL OVER THE PROGRAM
~7.5 hrs/week over a minimum of 12 months — Total hours = 562.5
HOW YOU STUDY
4 Online Study Sessions + 2 In-Person Sessions during School Holidays. Sessions commence in the January school holidays.
COUNTS AT SCHOOL
Contributes towards your QCE. As an SBAT you will be assigned curriculum release time to attend the workplace.
WHO RUNS THE TRAINING
Southern Education — 41402
ALSO NEED
6 sites
Beerwah Aquatic Centre
Coolum Aquatic Centre
Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre
Eumundi Aquatic Centre
Palmwoods Aquatic Centre
Lockyer Valley Sports and Aquatic Centre
SA
South Australia
WHO CAN APPLY
Must be 16 years old
HOURS YOU'LL WORK
Current Year 10, 11 or 12 student · Minimum 2 shifts per week (7.5 hours total)
TOTAL OVER THE PROGRAM
~7.5 hrs/week over a minimum of 12 months — Total hours = average 360
HOW YOU STUDY
4 Online Study Sessions + 2 In-Person Sessions during School Holidays.
COUNTS AT SCHOOL
Contributes towards your SACE. As an SBT you may be assigned curriculum release time to complete study or attend the workplace.
WHO RUNS THE TRAINING
Southern Education — 41402
ALSO NEED
3 sites
Fleurieu
Playford Aquadome
Payneham
VIC
Victoria
WHO CAN APPLY
Must be 16 years old
HOURS YOU'LL WORK
Current Year 10, 11 or 12 student · Minimum 2 shifts per week (7.5 hours total)
TOTAL OVER THE PROGRAM
~7.5 hrs/week over a minimum of 12 months
HOW YOU STUDY
4 Online Study Sessions + 2 In-Person Sessions during School Holidays.
COUNTS AT SCHOOL
May contribute towards your VCE. As an SBT you will be assigned curriculum release time to complete study or attend the workplace.
WHO RUNS THE TRAINING
Southern Education — 41402
ALSO NEED
12 sites
Bayfit Leisure Centre
Bacchus Marsh — BlueFit Swimming
Botanic Ridge — BlueFit Swimming
Bayside — BlueFit Swimming
Craigieburn — BlueFit Swimming
Hoppers Crossing — BlueFit Swimming
Laverton — BlueFit Swimming
Point Cook — BlueFit Swimming
Sandringham — BlueFit Swimming
South Morang — BlueFit Swimming
Truganina — BlueFit Swimming
Melton Waves Leisure Centre
Windy Hill Fitness Centre
WA
Western Australia
WHO CAN APPLY
Must be 16 years old
HOURS YOU'LL WORK
Current Year 10, 11 or 12 student · Minimum 2 shifts per week (7.5 hours total)
TOTAL OVER THE PROGRAM
~7.5 hrs/week over a minimum of 12 months
HOW YOU STUDY
4 Online Study Sessions + 2 In-Person Sessions during School Holidays.
COUNTS AT SCHOOL
Contributes towards your WACE. As an SBT you may be assigned curriculum release time to complete study or attend the workplace.
WHO RUNS THE TRAINING
Southern Education — 41402
ALSO NEED
5 sites
BlueFit Swimming - Alkimos
BlueFit Swimming - Cannington
BlueFit Swimming - Lakelands
The Pavilion | WACA Ground
New site pending
Qualifications You'll Walk Away With
Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics & Recreation
Pool Lifeguard Course
Swimming and Water Safety Teacher
Provide First Aid
Provide CPR
You probably want to know…
Yes. Earn while you learn with fortnightly pay, and at the end you get a Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics & Recreation. Both, at the same time.
Nothing. Zero. The training is funded by the government and your employer. You don't pay a cent.
You work shifts before/after school and on weekends. We work with your school so it counts towards your HSC, QCE, SACE, VCE or WACE
Definitely not. Lots of trainees use this as a stepping stone — uni, other industries, whatever. The qualification and work experience opens doors.
Talk to your Consultant first — that's literally what they're for. We help most people get back on track. If it's really not for you, we'll help you exit cleanly.
The questions parents ask us.
Honest answers to the five most common questions from parents and carers — grades, hours, supervision, welfare and how to reach us.
Most school-based traineeships count toward your child's senior certificate (HSC, QCE, SACE, VCE, WACE). We work directly with schools to align release time and ensure study balance. Trainees tell us their grades stay steady — because they're learning time management at the same time.
A standard placement averages 7.5 paid hours a week, spread across 1–2 shifts. Hours are negotiated to fit around school, exams and life.
Every shift is supervised by senior aquatic staff at a BlueFit-run facility. Trainees shadow and assist for the first weeks, then graduate to independent duties under direct line-of-sight supervision.
Every trainee is assigned a dedicated welfare consultant for the duration of the traineeship. They check in monthly (more often if needed), connect to school counsellors when relevant, and escalate concerns to a parent immediately if safety is involved.
Your child's welfare consultant is your first contact — you'll have their direct number from day one. Beyond that, our head office line is staffed business hours and we reply to email within 24 hours.
Ready to start?
Apply when you're ready. Not sure yet? Check if you're eligible, grab the parent info pack, or chat to a real person first.