Yes! Your AFL coaching accreditation is the national standard for coaches across Australia. It has been developed in collaboration with all State and Territory affiliates.
It’s not a mandatory requirement for NAB AFL Auskick coaches to hold an AFL coaching accreditation. However, for Auskick coaches who wish to become accredited, the most relevant accreditation is Essential Junior. All the necessary information, content, and resources for Auskick coaches can be found at play.afl/auskick.
The Essential Coaching courses provides accreditation for coaches at a community, school or recreation level. It is recommended that coaches complete the Essential Coach course relevant to the playing age they coach. E.g. A coach of an Under 10s team should complete the Junior Essential Course.
The AFL strongly encourages anyone involved on game day to hold an AFL coaching accreditation. By completing one of our online Essential courses, you will have the knowledge and ability to have a greater influence on match day, and you will also be ready to coach in case you need to at any time!
Nothing! As part of a significant investment in Community Football, becoming accredited is FREE for all coaches in 2025!
Returning coaches need to complete a renewal module each year, usually on a compliance-related topic such as Concussion, Vilification, or Safeguarding.
The Essentials Course is the new name for what was previously known as the Foundation Course. It is the entry-level course required for all new AFL coaches.
The Elevate Courses are new AFL coaching workshops, replacing the former Level 2 Course. They provide more focused and flexible learning opportunities for coaches, allowing them to deepen their knowledge and skills in specific coaching areas.
The Elevate Courses reflect a shift towards a more flexible, modern coaching approach. Rather than requiring coaches to complete a single, lengthy course, Elevate allows them to focus on specific areas of coaching that are most relevant to their current role and participants.
Coaches are not required to attend all three workshops, but they can attend multiple sessions to gain a more comprehensive understanding of best coaching practice. Completing one or more Elevate workshops will help coaches earn points towards their accreditation progression. Each Elevate workshop allows coaches to earn 50 points toward their accreditation.
The new approach is participant-centered, focusing on creating positive football experiences and supporting coaches to become effective leaders in their environments. It emphasizes ongoing learning and development rather than just skill development and accreditation progression.
Coaches can choose education specific to their coaching role and participants' needs. Learning opportunities range from online modules to face-to-face workshops and on-the-job development, allowing flexibility in how they gain knowledge.
Coaches will progress through five accreditations: Registered, Registered Accredited, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each accreditation requires the accumulation of points, with points reset annually on November 1.
The minimum points needed for each tier are:
- Registered: Under 90 points
- Registered Accredited: 90 points
- Bronze: 100 points
- Silver: 200 points
- Gold: 400 points
Coaches must earn 50 points each year to maintain their accreditation.
If a coach does not achieve the required points, they will revert to one accreditation below their current accreditation. For example, a Silver coach who fails to earn 50 points would drop back to Bronze.
Coaches who completed Level 2, 3, or 4 before 2019 will retain their status:
- Level 4 coaches will be recognized as Gold.
- Level 3 coaches will be recognized as Gold.
- Level 2 coaches will be recognized as Silver.
- Foundation coaches will be recognized as Bronze.
New coaches will start at the Registered level and can progress through the accreditations by accumulating points and completing a renewal module and various learning elements.
Yes, coaches can apply for RPL to have prior learning or experience recognised. This may include verified academic transcripts, assessments, or testimonials from employers outlining coaching experience.
The best way to have any of your questions about accreditation answered is to reach out to our coaching support team via email at coaching@afl.com.au. Our team will get in touch with you to provide the necessary support and ensure you receive the help you need!
You can access your current accreditation certificate through your personalised profile page in the members area on the Coach Learning Platform. This can be found at the bottom of your homepage, or in your ‘My Learning’ page. Simply find and click on the relevant coaching accreditation and click on the Feedback and Certificate link to access a PDF of your accreditation.
Coach Learning Platform membership and Coach Accreditation expires on an annual basis. At the beginning of each local footy season coaches need to update their membership details and complete the relevant education to be eligible to coach.
When re-accrediting on the Coach Learning Platform, your accreditation will be valid until December 31st of that year.
The Coach Learning Platform offers an extensive library of education modules, articles, videos and activities you can use at training and to develop your coaching. All content is exclusive to users of the AFL Coach Learning Platform.
Yes! Resources have been optimised for mobile and desktop.
Yes. Once you have completed your online Essentials course the resources you see will be filtered to the most relevant resources for the playing group you coach. However, you can select resources from other age groups on the Resource Library page.
Yes. As long as you have completed your registration and accreditation details on the Coach Learning Platform you will have access to the extensive resource and drill libraries.
Yes. Access to the resource and drill libraries requires you to complete your registration and accreditation on the Coach Learning Platform. If you are a first-time user this will mean completing the Essentials course, for returning users this will mean completing re-registration and the relevant refresher modules.