Course FAQs
What are the attendance requirements on course?
A coach is required to attend one hundred (100) per cent of a coaching course organised by Football Australia/Member Federations.
How long to does a coach have to complete their course?
If a coach attended the course in full and completed all on-course assignments, they must be deemed competent within six (6) months from the course conclusion date.
Due to the challenges presented by Covid, Football Australia will allow any coach who commenced a course from 2018 – 2020 and paid in full, to finish attending that course and/or submit their practical assessment by December 31st, 2023 at no further cost. No further extensions will be provided.
Football Australia and Member Federations will not accept requests to complete the remainder of any course or submit an assessment from coaches who attended a course prior to 2023. These coaches will be required to undertake the course again.
Please note, from January 1st, 2023, coaches are marked on course, must attend the course in full and are not provided deferment opportunities.
How do I register my interest in taking a Football Australia/AFC coaching course?
Please complete the appropriate expression of interest (EOI) form here.
Continued Professional Development FAQs
Where can I find upcoming CPD opportunities?
To access upcoming opportunities, please into the Football Australia Learning Centre
You can also view our website Upcoming Learning Opportunities | Play Football
Member Federations promote their CPD events via their website, social media and email.
What is the purpose of revalidation?
Revalidation is a process that ensures that coaches have up-to-date knowledge, skills, and practices in the field of coaching. The revalidation process is designed to maintain high standards of coaching in Australia, to support the ongoing professional development of coaches and to promote the safety, welfare, and enjoyment of our players.
The purpose of CPD is to attain professional development in addition to your coaching role.
How do I view how many CPD hours I have already attained?
To view your accreditations and CPD events, please log into the Football Australia Learning Centre
Please note, Football Australia has recently transitioned to the Football Australia Learning Centre and in this initial phase CPD events will not appear on a coach's profile.
What happens if I do not get enough hours?
Coaches who do not meet the revalidation requirements will have their accreditation expired.
When accreditation has expired, you will need to complete 15 CPD hours before your qualification can be reinstated. CPD hours can be obtained through approved activities such as Member Federation Coaching Conferences, Football Australia or Member Federation workshops and webinars, Football Australia online modules, Football Coaches Australia workshops, and Talent Development Scheme events.
Once you have accumulated 15 CPD hours, please email technical@footballaustralia.com.au to request reinstatement of your qualification.
Please note that CPD hours earned during a previous accreditation cycle do not carry forward, and CPD will not be applied for any coaching roles you may hold.
Can I work without a valid accreditation?
You must hold the valid qualification required for the position you wish to hold as deemed by the rules relating to the competition or structure in which you seek to work.
If I accrue more than 15 hours in the three (3) year period, do my additional hours carry forward?
No. The hours expire at the end of your three (3) year accreditation period. Hours do not carry forward.
Which three (3) years are counted towards my revalidation?
The three (3) years since your diploma was either issued or reaccredited. You cannot use hours prior to your diploma being issued or previously validated.
Example -
- Diploma issued on June 30th, 2020 expires on December 31st, 2023.
- Next revalidation period is January 1st, 2024 until December 31st, 2026.
- If a coach gained 15 hours on October 1st, 2023, the diploma is revalidated from January 1st, 2024 not October 1st. Therefore, any CPD activities completed between October 1st, 2023 – December 31st, 2023 do not contribute to revalidation.
Who is responsible for ensuring that my records are up to date?
Your coach education records are held on the Football Australia Learning Centre.
Please log into the Football Australia Learning Centre regularly and ensure that all your records are accurate and up to date.
If you do notice any discrepancies, please let us know by contacting the Technical Department via email (technical@footballaustralia.com.au)
Whilst we want to assist and support you in every way we can, it is ultimately your responsibility to keep your qualification current and valid, and your personal records up to date.
What if I live outside of Australia?
Coaches in possession of a Football Australia qualification(s) that reside outside of Australia during the validity of their coaching accreditation may apply for five (5) CPD hours accrued from events attended overseas. This can be multiple events worth different CPD hours or one (1) event worth five (5) CPD hours.
What if I have been accepted or enrolled onto a higher Diploma?
Acceptance, enrolment and partial participation in a coaching course does not revalidate or renew an existing coaching diploma. To maintain the validity of a coaching qualification, coaches must complete the required 15 CPD hours. Participation in selected modules, attendance at part of a course, or incomplete course engagement does not, on its own, satisfy revalidation requirements.
Where a coach successfully attains a higher-level coaching diploma, the newly awarded qualification automatically revalidates any lower-level diploma within the coaching pathway.
What if I complete a course within a different coaching stream?
Completing a qualification in a different coaching stream does not revalidate an existing diploma. For example, undertaking a Goalkeeping or Futsal qualification will not revalidate an Outfield coaching diploma, as each stream is recognised and maintained separately. Revalidation must occur through the applicable CPD requirements or by obtaining a higher qualification within the same coaching stream.
What if I have multiple qualifications?
Where a coach holds multiple qualifications with overlapping validity periods, CPD activities completed during the overlapping years may be counted towards the renewal requirements of both qualifications, provided the CPD meets the applicale accreditation and renewal requirements.
For example; an A Diploma issued in 2026 would remain valid until 31 December 2029. Likewise, a Goalkeeping B Diploma issued in 2027 would remain valid until 31 December 2030. CPD compelted in 2028 and 2029 will contribute to the renewal of both the A Diploma and the Goalkeeping B Diploma.
What if I hold an overseas qualification recognised by Football Australia?
Coaches will need to follow the revalidation process as set out by the issuing body. Diploma holders who have been granted recognition are not eligible for Football Australia CPD hours. Football Australia cannot revalidate a qualification issued overseas or extend the recognition period without the following process being completed.
Please refer to the process below.
Recognition of Coaching Competency FAQs
An individual may apply for Recognition if they believe that their current qualifications obtained from another Confederation or Football Association are equal to or exceed the minimum requirements of a specific Football Australia/AFC Certification.
To familiarise yourself with the Recognition of Coaching Competency Process please read the AFC Regulations Governing the Recognition of Experience and Current Competence.
All applications for Recognition shall be submitted to Football Australia.
Please note, that a separate application form must be lodged for each certificate the coach is requesting to be recognised.
Application Steps:
- Coaches will need to complete a Form 1 - Recognition of Coaching Competency application.
- Complete the following supplementary application with supporting evidence Football Australia and AFC Recognition of Experience and Current Competence - Formstack.
The application must contain supporting evidence. All documents and reports must be originals or certified copies of originals and be signed and/or initialled where appropriate.
Please contact technical@footballaustralia.com.au for any queries regarding the above application process.
If successful, will I receive a Football Australia/AFC certificate.
No. If the application is successful, a coach will receive a letter of recognition only.
If successful, how long does Football Australia recognise a licence issued by another Confederation/Football Association?
If your application is successful, recognition is awarded for two (2) years. It is expected in the two (2) year period that coaches undertake the next level of Football Australia/AFC accreditation.
As per the AFC Regulations Governing the Recognition of Experience and Current Competence, coaches must reapply for recognition after the two (2) years if they do not compete the next level of Football Australia/AFC accreditation.
My certificate from another Confederation/Football Association is expired. Will Football Australia recognise a certificate which is expired?
No. To complete the above application, you must be in possession of a valid certificate.
Can I gain CPD points if I hold an overseas licence recognised by Football Australia?
No, coaches will need to follow the revalidation process as set out by the issuing body. Football Australia cannot revalidate a licence issued overseas.
You can have your overseas licence recognised by Football Australia by completing the following steps:
- Coaches will need to complete a Form 1 - Recognition of Coaching Competency application.
- Complete the following supplementary application with supporting evidence Football Australia and AFC Recognition of Experience and Current Competence - Formstack.