How To Become A Yoga Teacher In Australia: Step-by-Step

With it being one of the most popular holiday destinations, it’s no surprise that you want to know how to become a yoga teacher in Australia. 

That is why we have a comprehensive guide on how to do just that, including all the relevant steps:

• Step 1: Becoming A Yoga Teacher In Australia Starts With Effective Planning
• Step 2: Secure The Necessary Qualifications For Yoga Teacher Jobs In Australia
• Step 3: Gain Practical Experience Before You Become A Yoga Instructor In Australia
• Step 4: Research The Entry Requirements You’ll Need To Meet To Teach Yoga In Australia
• Step 5: Securing Your Dream Role As A Yoga Instructor In Australia
• Step 6: Plan Your Travel & Accommodation Ahead Of Teaching Yoga In Australia
• Key Things To Note After You Arrive As A Yoga Teacher In Australia

Before we get straight to it, if you’ve yet to qualify as an instructor the first step is to earn a Level 3 Yoga Teaching Diploma. More information about this course and how it can benefit your overall career can be found in OriGym's downloadable course prospectus.

Step 1 - Becoming A Yoga Teacher In Australia Starts With Effective Planning

Though it may seem tempting to go ahead and book a flight and procrastinate the work that comes along with moving to another country and finding a job, it isn’t the most sensible option. 

Before you leave, you should spend some time coming up with a plan, a detailed plan at that. Our detailed article exploring 'How to Become a Yoga Instructor' should be part of this plan, as it provides a detailed analysis of how you can get started in the industry.

There are some things that you should definitely plan for, including:

What area of Australia you plan to settle in…

First off, you need to come to a decision about what area of Australia you want to settle in. There are so many choices and there isn’t a correct decision, it completely depends on the lifestyle you want so research is needed.

Some of the more popular choices for foreigners going to work in Australia include the likes of:

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Brisbane

In particular, to become a yoga teacher in Sydney is the most popular. The highest number of expats settle here and so, getting a job there could be a little easier than in other cities. Nonetheless, it is good to do your research on each one and decide where you’d fit in best.

What kind of discipline, if any, you will teach…

You also should decide on what kind of yoga you want to teach, since this could impact the kind of qualifications that you need to have. 

Your discipline of choice could also determine the location in which you want to operate from since there might be a particular gap in the market for certain types of yoga.

First, think about what you actually desire to teach and if you’re drawn to a particular style. You can then do some research into where these disciplines are most popular within Australia since you might find a perfect fit. For example, if you're searching for yoga teacher jobs in Melbourne, you could specify the search some more by searching for your discipline and location.

Though it isn’t completely necessary to have discipline, it can help to provide you with some sort of USP and set yourself apart from the more holistic studios.

What kind of income you need to earn in order to live comfortably…

Something else you need to think about is the kind of income that you will need to live comfortably in the city of your choice. 

The cost of living in the big cities in Australia isn’t cheap. However, so long as you work for a reputable company or have a reputable qualification behind you, there is no reason why you can't earn a good wage that will keep you comfortable.

Taking Sydney for example, the average salary needed is around (AUS) $3,671 a month (£2065.00 approx.). This is probably a shock to the system when you’re coming from the UK, but the average salary matches up with the cost of living relatively well. 

It is what you’d expect from a major city, see it as a similar contrast between London in the UK and other smaller cities.

Step 2 - Secure The Necessary Qualifications For Yoga Teacher Jobs In Australia

Once you have completed as much planning and research you can do prior to anything else, you should look into gaining the correct qualifications. Since your goal is to ultimately work abroad, you need to ensure that you’re not reaching for any old qualification.

You need to be sure that the qualifications you get are recognised over there. Below, we have examples of the courses that are recognised and how to be sure that your education is valid in Australia.

Level 3 Yoga Teaching Diploma

If you’re entering the yoga teaching industry at entry level, a great way to ensure you have the correct qualification is to check that you’re qualifying with an accredited course provider. So what does this mean?

When you’re choosing a provider, you can see if they’re accredited in the course description. For example, take a look at OriGym’s yoga course description below:

As you can see, there is clear indication that CIMSPA endorses our yoga course, this means that professional standards have been met and students feel confident in getting a course that is recognised by a board of professionals.

This is the minimum requirement when becoming a yoga teacher in Australia, you can see below at an example job advertisement what they expect of potential candidates: 

Luckily, with a diploma in yoga teaching at OriGym, you will be required to undergo over 400 hours of training so you will certainly meet the mark for many job opportunities.

Be sure that you’re looking for companies that recognise your abilities and if you’re yet to choose a discipline, looking for a holistic yoga job opening like this one would be your best bet. 

However, if you do want to choose a discipline, we will talk about how you can do that next.

Level 4 Advanced Yoga Teacher Training

If you want to choose a discipline, a level 4 in yoga teaching can see you choose a speciality, popular disciplines such as:

• Hatha
• Ashtanga
• Iyengar
• Hot yoga

These are popular options since they’re so versatile and can be adapted to different intermediacy levels. This is a great route to go down if you want to have not only a higher level of education behind you, but also want a USP to your application.

Also, you may find some job advertisements that specifically ask for a particular discipline, like this example below: 

This can often come with a higher level job since you’re more qualified in one niche, in turn, improving salary.

It is certainly something that can improve your practice and put your dedication to your yoga career on paper.

Additional Courses That Improve Your Employment Prospects

Other than the necessary yoga qualifications, there are some courses that can not only improve your overall experience and knowledge but some qualifications that might be necessary in order to work in particular organisations in Australia. 

Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training

It is common for yoga instructing jobs in Australia to be within fitness centres or gyms. That is why it can be useful to get a qualification in personal training to ensure that you’re eligible to work there.

Often, yoga instructing jobs are advertised as part of a group fitness instructing role. This means that beside your yoga expertise, you may need to work on some other classes too. 

This can be super beneficial for not only your knowledge power, but also your professional development. Even if this isn’t a requirement in the job description, there is a good chance you will be a more attractive candidate should you be up against other applicants.

For example, take a look at this job advertisement below:

As you can see, you need a level 3 or 4 certificate in fitness. This would be the equivalent of a level 3 or 4 in personal training or, you can hold a level 3 or 4 in yoga teaching.

As you can see, this job is advertised as a ‘group fitness instructor’, so while you would teach yoga, there are other areas of fitness that you could be teaching and thus, having a level 3 in personal training could make you much more equipped for the job.

First Aid / CPR Certification & DBS Check

First Aid certifications are not something exclusive to yoga teacher jobs in Australia, regardless of your location if it is not at least a legal requirement, it is a sensible option to get a First Aid certification, in the same way it is to do your research on Australian insurance policies as a yoga teacher.

These certifications will keep your clients safe should anything happen under your care, which is a huge responsibility. Not only that, but it can often be a requirement before you apply for a job, like this example below:

This is a holistic group fitness instructor job role including yoga instructing as a speciality. You can see in the education and qualifications section we have plucked out of the job ad, the two things it asks for.

These are:

• A first aid & CPR
• Working with children clearance (A.K.A DBS check in the UK)

These are boxes to tick off your list before you leave for Australia, there are centres all over the UK that can help you get these certifications, like St.John Ambulance for example.

If you go over to their website, you can see a page like this below:

You can view all of the courses they offer, the two you should get under your belt ASAP is the CPR certificate and the First Aid in the Workplace certificate. These are essential and show your potential employers that you have come prepared. 

Also highlighted in the job example is a requirement of “working with children clearance”, this is what you also might know as a DBS check here in the UK. You can register for this certification easily on the UK government website.

It is a way to add that layer of security and reliability to your profession and is important if you want to become a kids yoga teacher. The more clarity you have and certifications that communicate your reliability, the higher the chances are that you will get hired.

Step 3 - Gain Practical Experience Before You Become A Yoga Instructor In Australia

As well as the importance of an accredited education, you should also be prepared to be asked to prove a level of experience behind you. 

The more experience the better in any industry, but since you’ll be expected to perform the practical yoga to a high standard when teaching there needs to be some level of preparation.

This can often sound easier said than done, so how can you actually put this into action to start applying for yoga instructor jobs in Australia?

Experience when you’re trying to achieve a position as a teacher comes in two forms. First and foremost, you should have experience in actually doing yoga, like taking classes and participating as a student. 

As well as this, you should try to gain as much experience as you can within teaching before you start the process of becoming a yoga teacher in Australia. 

Though there are sometimes entry level positions, this is likely to be in terms of teaching, not in the case of you not having or having minimal experience in yoga practice at all. Often it will be specified if the job requires experience clearly, like this example below:

It is always a good idea to explain your experience thoroughly on your yoga teacher CV - make sure it is referred to pretty early on in your CV so they can immediately see how qualified you are for the role.

If you have minimal teaching experience, it might be a good idea to volunteer your services to build up a reputation for yourself. These are relatively easy to find in the UK, so it might be worth building up this experience before you jet off.

For example, look at this advertisement below for volunteers in yoga and what this can provide for you in terms of valuable experience:

These kinds of experiences can show your dedication to yoga and your willingness to learn. This could really help you when applying to be a yoga instructor in Australia and tip the scales in your favour.

Step 4 - Research The Entry Requirements You’ll Need To Meet To Teach Yoga In Australia

Once you’ve acquired the all important experience and qualifications, overcoming the hurdle of gaining the correct visas and entry requirements begins.

There are many different visas available for travel to Australia, one of the most popular options being a working holiday visa, however, if you’re looking to relocate and stay permanently you should consider a more permanent visa option.

Temporary Visa Options

First off, one of the super popular options for people who want to try out life in Australia is a temporary visa that doubles up as a holiday visa. However, there are various options available to sift through.

In order to look through these, you can use the Australian Immigration Visa Finder. Below, you can see the options available on the first step: 

A working holiday visa can allow you to stay in Australia for up to 3 years. This is in 3 separate visa years and categories - you can see more details on how these work below:

These visas work in chronological order, meaning you can only get your second working holiday visa after you have the first one and so on. 

Notice how you are required to have completed 3 months of specified subclass 417 work. The specified industries of work under subclass 417 include the following: 

It is a good idea to at least begin on this yoga teacher visa in Australia so you can really decide if that is what you want to do permanently and where you want to live permanently. 

Permanent Visa Options

In order to decipher if you qualify for one of the permanent visa options, you should use the skilled occupation list.

An option that you could work towards once you have decided you want a more permanent option is under the “Fitness Manager” skilled occupation. 

Under this visa option, you’re able to do the following stated job roles:

As you can see, under this visa you may coach, instruct and train clients. Nonetheless, this is a fitness centre manager role so it might be useful to gain some experience in managerial positions or at least in commercial yoga studios prior to making the move.

Step 5 - Securing Your Dream Role As A Yoga Instructor In Australia

Once you have your plan in place, you can start looking for ideal yoga instructor jobs in Australia.

Some of the best places to start are generic job boards like we do here in the UK. One popular example is Seek Au.

On this platform, you’re able to search your key term and find jobs that meet your specifications, like this below:

You can enter your location and the area of expertise you’re looking for in particular. Keeping up to date with these job boards can be a good place to apply and find relevant companies that you wish to work for.

In order to apply you’re going to need a CV that has all of your experience, qualifications and why a foreign company should hire you.

You may feel the need to sell yourself more than you would typically and you can do this by researching different companies requirements and seeing the consistencies between each one. This can really help to inform your CV and what employers are looking for. 

For example, if you see a consistent requirement for you to have a specific discipline in yoga, make it a statement in your CV that you have a clear discipline that you specialise in. 

Once you have finalised your CV from some thorough research on various Australian job boards, you can also apply and find relevant opportunities in other places such as YogaTravelJobs.

Job boards like this one could be more appropriate for those who are looking for something less permanent. This is because on this site you can volunteer and also take part in work exchanges, take a look at this example below for instance:

As you can see, it is relatively limited, meaning that your position wouldn’t be as permanent but also a good opportunity to build up your experience portfolio and make connections in the local industry.

- - - -

For some more helpful resources on becoming a successful yoga teacher, head over to these articles below:

• Yoga Instructor Salary Explained: 2022 (UK Guide) 
• How Much Experience Do I Need Before Yoga Teacher Training? 
• How To Get Started Teaching Yoga Abroad: The Complete Step-By-Step Guide 

Step 6 - Plan Your Travel & Accommodation Ahead Of Teaching Yoga In Australia

Once you have done everything you can prior to figuring out how to be a yoga instructor in Australia, it is time to plan your travel and accommodation.

This is when it gets exciting, all of your hard work has paid off and you can start to plan your future whether it be temporary or permanent.

There are various choices on how to become a yoga teacher in Australia in terms of accommodation. While some jobs may provide a place to live for the right candidate, there are many that are just like getting a job back home in the UK and you need to sort out your own living arrangements.

Nonetheless, aiming high and looking for jobs that provide the whole package is a great direction to head in. These aren’t too hard to come by either, for example take a look at this job ad below:

Depending on your financial situation, it is subjective to what the start of your journey could look like. You could potentially save up and be prepared for your future in Australia, this might mean funding an apartment or some sort of accommodation prior to your move so you feel secure in going ahead with the big move.

However, don’t worry if this isn’t plausible for you or you want to explore first. This is precisely the point of the likes of working holiday visas, you can work to fund your travels around Australia. It is completely up to you on what you want, just ask yourself a couple of questions:

• Do you want to live alone or with housemates?
• What is your monthly budget?
• What do you think your yoga instructor salary in Australia will look like?
• How soon do you want to go to work?

These answers can be different for every interested yogi, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t have everything planned beforehand. You could decide that you want to take part in a yoga retreat first to meet like minded people and network in your new area.

Whatever route you choose, so long as you get the planning done correctly and you have the logistics of your move down then you should feel confident in taking a flight and either staying in hostels by looking on the likes of Hostelworld, hotels by looking on the likes of Booking.com or private accommodation - whatever fits your lifestyle the best.

Key Things To Note After You Arrive As A Yoga Teacher In Australia

Be Aware Of The Length Of Your Visa As An Australian Yoga Teacher

We have spoken about which yoga teacher visa for Australia you can get, but once you have this, you should always keep on top of any documentation or extensions that you may need to adjust. 

One key factor that you need to ensure is that if you choose the working holiday visa route, you need to have at least $5,000. It is essentially proof that you have the financial means to be in Australia.

If you do choose this one though, your visa will be valid for 12 months, though there is something else you might want to keep in mind so you have no surprises. Though this isn’t the case for every visa, you may sometimes be required to undergo a health check before you fly out. 

Other than these things, you should do extensive research on your visa of choice before you leave and contact the Embassy should you need further information or have specific questions.

Decide On Your Future After Becoming A Yoga Teacher In Australia

Aside from the visas, once you have had a taste of what life could be like living in Australia, you may find yourself wanting to settle or changing job roles. 

If you’re deciding to stay in a salaried / permanent position, you may find that it is comfortable and works best for you and your visa. However, it is understandable that you might want to consider a freelance / self-employed lifestyle.

If this is the case, there are some relatively strict restrictions in place. For example, if this is the case you might want to go down the permanent residency visa route. You can find the page on the options of which visas you can apply for here. 

The more relevant visa options if you do want permanent residency are these examples below:

If you are eligible once assessing the requirements, you could decide to open your own yoga studio or organise retreats. Whatever it is, keep up to date with visa rules since they can change and don’t cut corners.

If you have the quality and financial means to apply for permanent residency or you are sponsored by a reliable business and have a comfortable yoga teacher salary in Australia, you may feel ready to make the move.

Whatever your future goals are, getting there step by step is the best way to go, utilise the correct visas at the right time in your journey and work your way up to a permanent future in the sun!

Before You Go…

Now you have all the steps to start planning how to become a yoga instructor in Australia, it is a big step and certainly possible so waste no time in getting the ball rolling.

Remember, if you're interested in pursuing this career the first step is to earn a Level 3 Yoga Teaching Diploma. You can find this and more in our downloadable course prospectus here.