Advanced Coach Program
updated August 5 2026
Masters Advanced Coach Program
Are you a Masters Swimming Coach looking to expand your coaching toolkit, challenge your current thinking, and stay up to date with contemporary coaching practice?
The Masters Swimming Australia Advanced Coach Program has being developed to support committed coaches – who are passionate about giving back to our swim community. This program is designed to deepen and broaden coaching knowledge while offering the flexibility to suit individual interests and availability.
The program offers a diverse range of learning modules delivered in a flexible “pick and mix” format, allowing you to select modules that best align with your interests and coaching goals. Each module can be completed as stand-alone Professional Development modules, or they can be aggregated towards an Advanced Coach Qualification (ACQ).
What is the Advanced Coach Program?
The Advanced Coach Program consists of a structured selection of units of study (modules) that you can use for professional development or can be built towards an Advanced Coach Qualification.
Advanced Coach Qualification
If you want to gain qualification as an Advanced Coach, you can enrol via the Advanced Coach Course and complete a minimum of 9 units of study comprising 3 Mandatory + 3 Core + 3 Elective units. You will also need to register separately for any of the Core and Elective modules that will count towards the Advanced Coach Qualification
Pre‑requisites for Advanced Coach Qualification
To apply for Advanced Coach Qualification, you must:
- Currently hold a MSA Club Coach Accreditation, and
- Be actively coaching adults or mentoring coaches.
Course Structure (Modules)
Recognition of current competency & prior learning
Professional Development Only (No ACQ Qualification)
Advanced Coach Program
The Advanced Coach Qualification (ACQ) course, and Core & Elective modules to aggregate towards your ACQ
Coach Professional Development
The Club Coach workshop, and all the Core & Elective modules from the Advanced Coach Program as individual PD
FAQs
How much does it cost?
Advanced Coach Course – $95 to access your ACQ Training Record, where required units are tracked and assessed toward qualification PLUS the cost for each module that you choose to count towards qualification
PD only – Individual modules may be completed as PD and costs vary depending on the provider and assessment requirements, ranging from FREE to $350 (e.g. Mental Health First Aid).
However, most modules are below $50.
Do I need to complete the program all at once?
No.
Modules may be completed at any time and in any order.
If you are applying for the Advanced Coach Course, you will have two years from registration to complete all requirements for qualification.
Can I start with one module only?
Yes.
Any module may be completed as a stand‑alone professional development activity or built towards Advanced Coach Qualification (within 2 years).
Do I need to apply for qualification straight away?
No.
You may complete modules first and then enrol in the Advanced Coach Qualification Course to aggregate your PD modules towards Advanced Coach Qualification within 2 years.
What if I want to just upskill but not apply for Advanced Coach Qualification?
All units can be done in isolation by any coach as Professional Development at any time without applying for ACQ.
Is this program suitable for volunteer coaches?
Yes.
The program has been specifically designed with all Masters coaches in mind, including volunteer coaches, offering flexibility, choice and affordability.
Where do I access the Mandatory Swimmer Case Study template?
This template is available once you enrol in the Advanced Coach Qualification Course. It is a thorough template to guide you through the elements that you will need to cover in your mandatory Swimmer Case Study. It is also available here
When will my Advanced Coach Qualification expire?
Advanced Coach Qualification will follow the same expiration timeframe as the Coach
Accreditation of 3 years. You will only need to re-accredit for the highest level of qualification
that you hold with MSA.
What will I need to do to re-accredit as an Advanced Coach?
You will need to provide evidence of ongoing coaching or mentor coaching as well as
complete Professional Development within the 3 years. The National Coaching Committee is yet to release the Professional Development points required to maintain Advanced Coach Qualification.
Will the competency associated with each module expire?
Yes. Each module in the ACQ expires after 3 years. This may differ from the requirements if the module links to an external course e.g. Mental Health First Aid
