Wellness training institution The Australasian Sustainable Wellness Academy (ASWA) hosts a nationally recognised Diploma of Wellness Spa Management to help existing industry members and newcomers upskill in wellbeing and management.

The self-paced digital course usually costs AUS$9,950 (£5,548, US$7,681, €6,385) but now, entrants are being offered an AUS$2,200 (£1,227, US$1,698, €1,411) discount from the Australian Government as part of its Skills and Training incentive to support professional development.

To be eligible for the discount, participants must be aged 45 to 70, an Australian citizen or permanent resident and not be receiving Australian Government employment assistance. Students can be employed or recently unemployed – for less than nine months.

The outcomes of this course are applicable to individuals looking to gain work as managers in spas, wellbeing centres, health retreats, skin clinics, hotels, cruise ships, health clubs and lifestyle communities.

According to ASWA, the wellness and management skills learned will allow students to leverage their professional skills in the booming national and global wellness industry to fast track their management career.

The diploma is designed both for those with no prior knowledge of management or wellness fields alongside seasoned veterans wanting to further their skills and career opportunities.

ASWA is helmed by CEO and founder Angela Derks, who is also the course and curriculum developer for the Diploma of Wellness.

Derks has lead strategic wellness initiatives and training programmes for award-winning companies such as Six Senses, Soneva Resorts, Ritz-Carlton, Madinat Jumeirah, Palazzo Versace, Kempinski, Westin, Qantas First Lounges, Christina O yacht, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat and Aurora Spa.

As part of the qualification, Derks host 13 private mentoring sessions to support and guide each participant.

During these sessions, she taps her vast industry experience across day spas, aesthetic clinics, wellness centres and destination retreats, combined with an accredited learning framework to guide participants along their wellness and management journey.

To be awarded the qualification, participants must successfully complete assessments alongside the following units:

• Manage stress in the workplace
• Integrate wellness principles into life and workplaces
• Interpret and use information about diet and nutrition
• Develop and use emotional intelligence
• Manage personal work priorities and professional development
• Manage programs that promote personal effectiveness
• Communicate with influence
• Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability
• Lead and manage team effectiveness
• Lead and manage effective workplace relationships
• Build and sustain an innovative work environment

To find out more details about ASWA’s Wellness Diploma, head to the organisation’s official website.

The diploma is available to overseas students outside of Australia, however, these participants will not but receive supplementation from the Australian Government.