Our Industry
The outdoor education industry educates, empowers and inspires young people in the outdoors.
We are educators, but we don’t only grade papers; we stargaze. We are leaders, but we don’t only write on whiteboards; we climb mountains and inspire growth.
The outdoors is where our passion lives. That’s where you’ll find us – reinforcing the critical link between the natural world and Australia’s young people.
We believe young people of all ages discover their strengths, boost their wellbeing, learn essential life skills and explore different perspectives in the outdoors. Through unique learning opportunities in Australia’s incredible natural landscapes, we guide young people through self-exploration and help shape the next generation of leaders.
There’s Always More to Explore
Our industry is made up of diverse folks who bring passion and energy to our vibrant community. We’re work to create positive change in the lives of young Australians through outdoor adventures.
With the bush in our backyard, the coast at our doorstep and the oldest continuous living culture illuminating our trails, there is always more to explore.
*Studies show that the estimated contribution of the Outdoor Recreation sector on the economy in one year is $11 billion, which is equivalent to approximately 1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
*Source:
nationalindustryinsights.aisc.net.au/industries/sport-fitness-and-recreation/outdoor-recreation
Research and Evaluation
If you are involved or would like to be involved in providing outdoor experiences, including outdoor education, outdoor recreation, outdoor nature-based tourism, outdoor adventure or adventure and nature-based therapy, then we need to hear from you.
Victoria University is undertaking a study into workforce development of the outdoor industry on behalf of the Outdoor Education Innovation Hub.
The purpose of the project is to address skills shortages and determine the needs, preferences and priorities of current and potential employees. In particular, the research aims to strengthen career pathways and conditions in the sector, and reform and revise training and professional development structures in the outdoor industry.
All information you provide will remain anonymous and confidential.
Any questions or expressions of interest to partake in an interview can be directed to:
Lead Chief Investigator: joanne.pyke@vu.edu.au
Research Fellow: becky.knight@vu.edu.au
Do you work or volunteer in the Outdoor Industry?
Are you an employer in the Outdoor Industry?
Do you want to work in the Outdoor Industry?
Jobs in the Industry
Outdoor Education Curriculum
Today’s schools are expected to contribute to not only the academic but the social and emotional development and wellbeing of the children in their care. The outdoor education industry can support them in meeting these challenges as well as work to specifically to enrich other learning areas (e.g., science, math and english)
Research shows that outdoor education can have benefits across many areas of wellbeing. Different schools and outdoor education programs may have different outcomes as their focus and may use different language to describe the benefits of what they do. You will learn more about these models as you work with different organisations.
The Australian Curriculum lists seven General Capabilities that contribute to a “successful learner, confident and creative individual, and active and informed citizen”.
Quality outdoor education programs support four of these:
Personal and social capability
Personal and social capability
Outdoor education participants
- Experience new challenges, reflect on their physical and emotional responses and practice self-management strategies in a supported environment.
- Discover their own and others’ strengths.
- Explore relationship dynamics such as communication, leadership, shared decision making and conflict resolution that come from living and problem solving with peers.
- Reflect on a team’s experience, the roles or responsibilities that shaped wins, and identify areas for improvement.
Critical and creative thinking
Critical and creative thinking
Outdoor education participants
- Explore solutions to authentic problems through experiential learning independently and as a small group.
- Reflect on the effectiveness of critical and creative thinking, actions and processes to solve problems on program and in other settings.
Intercultural understanding
Intercultural understanding
Outdoor education participants
- Co-create expectations within a small group to build a respectful and empathetic culture.
- Live and play with peers they may not normally spend time with.
- Consider their own experiences and how these shape their interactions with others who might have different experiences.
Ethical understanding
Ethical understanding
Outdoor education participants
- Experience how different values, rights and responsibilities impact community living on program.
- Face simple ethical decisions (e.g. sharing campsite tasks, caring for peers) and use reasoning to take action.
- Experience the impact of ethical decisions made by others (e.g. around parks use, the environment).
The Australian Curriculum also highlights three Cross-curriculum Priorities, including:
Sustainability
Sustainability
Outdoor education participants
- Explore natural and built environments that are subject to sustainable and non-sustainable practices.
- Consider the impacts and challenges of developing sustainable practices on program and in daily life.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
Outdoor education participants
- Develop a sense of connection with place.
- Reflect on the relationships that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with place, and how this impacts culture.
Consider how the knowledge and relationships held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be a source of strength.
Events in the Industry
Victoria
OV Conference
Jul 13 - 14
Nannup Music Festival
July 16th
OEIH Open Day
TBC
Victoria University Careers in the Outdoors
July 16th
Western Australia
Rottnest Channel Swim 2023
Feb 25th
Nannup Music Festival
March 3rd
Clean up Australia Day
March 5th
Karri Valley Triathlon
March 18th
Margaret River Pro
April 23rd
Russelton Festival of Triathlon
April 28th
Testimonial
“I have learnt to appreciate the small things in life and that cold fingers in the morning are nothing compared to the snowy river. Such an amazing experience that showed a much bigger picture to life.”
Year 9 student