If you’re newly qualified (or about to qualify) and want to start teaching Pilates, the hardest part is usually not the teaching — it’s getting your first few paid classes, covers, or clients
This guide is a practical, step-by-step approach to help you build a side gig or a long-term career. 💪✨
Pilates instructor teaching
1) Get clear on what you want (so you apply faster) 🎯
Decide your “minimum viable job” for the next 4–8 weeks:
- Availability: mornings / lunch / evenings / weekends
- Travel radius: realistic commute
- Format: mat / reformer / privates / corporate / online
- Open to covers? yes/no
- Pay expectations: your minimum + your ideal Australia: Fitness Industry Award (MA000094) — adult minimums (as at 1 July 2025)
- FT/PT base (Mon–Fri): L1 $24.28/hr • L2 $24.95/hr • L3 $26.70/hr • L3A $28.12/hr • L4 $29.27/hr
- Casual (Mon–Fri, incl. 25%): L1 $30.35/hr • L2 $31.19/hr • L3 $33.38/hr • L3A $35.15/hr • L4 $36.59/hr
- Casual (Sat/Sun/PH ordinary, incl. 30%): L1 $31.56/hr • L2 $32.44/hr • L3 $34.71/hr • L3A $36.56/hr • L4 $38.05/hr (Studios may pay above-award; confirm your classification + penalties/allowances.)
2) Start with covers (fastest way in) ⚡️
Covers are low-risk for studios and a quick way to get known.
Where covers usually come up:
- sick days
- holidays
- roster changes
- peak seasons (e.g. Jan) Shortcut: start with the studio where you already take classes — you’re a familiar face, and owners can assess you quicker.
Pilates reformer session
3) Get “job-ready” in one afternoon ✅
Keep it simple:
- Short bio (80–120 words)
- One-page CV
- Clean headshot
- Optional: 30–60s intro video
- Insurance + CPR/first aid status (where relevant)
4) Use 3 channels to find work (don’t rely on one)
A) Community groups 🤝
Join local instructor + fitness jobs groups and post with:
- location + travel radius
- what you teach
- availability windows
- “available for covers”
- contact details (DM + email)
B) Job boards
SEEK / Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Jora, studio websites, community centres.
Tip: set alerts for “Pilates instructor”, “reformer”, “group fitness”.
C) Direct outreach to studios 📩
Many studios hire via referrals/covers, not ads.
DM/email template
Subject: Pilates cover instructor available (weekday evenings + weekends)
Hi [Name],
I’m [Your Name], a newly qualified Pilates instructor based in [Suburb]. I’m available for covers/casual shifts [days/times] and can travel within [areas].
Happy to do an audition/observation. CV: [link].
Thanks,
[Name] | [Phone]
Follow up once after 7–10 days.
5) Turn one shift into ongoing work 🎬
Treat every cover like an audition:
- arrive early
- keep programming simple + safe
- tidy/reset the space
- message after: “Thanks — happy to cover again.”
Quick checklist (next 7 days)
- Write bio + 1-page CV
- List 30 studios in your radius
- Send 10 reach-outs (offer covers + give availability)
- Follow up once (7–10 days)
- Book 1 audition/observation
Final note 🌱
Momentum comes from being visible, reliable, and easy to work with — covers are often the doorway to regular classes.