Apply for our September 2025 Intake
Become a Certified Pilates Instructor — with Villa Pilates.
Our final intake for 2025 begins September 20 and runs until early December, with exams scheduled across December 8, 9 & 10. This immersive, in-person program is delivered at our beautiful Carlton studio and led by our experienced Villa instructor team.
Whether you’re ready for a new career, looking to deepen your movement knowledge, or dreaming of teaching Pilates across Australia and Asia — this course is your starting point.
It starts with a feeling…
That moment you walk into a Pilates studio and feel instantly calm. Inspired. Strong. A space that’s more than just a workout — it’s a way of life. You start to wonder…
What if this could be my everyday?
What if I could teach, move, guide, and create a life around wellness — while helping others feel their best too?
At Villa Pilates, our certified instructor training is more than just a course. It’s your first step toward a new lifestyle, a meaningful career, and a chance to join a global movement — all while staying true to you.
In the heart of Melbourne
Your training takes place in our beautiful CBD & Carlton studios — filled with natural light, soft music, and the energy of future instructors just like you. Our course is immersive and fully in-person, giving you real-time feedback, mentorship, and teaching experience with our expert Villa instructors.
You’ll learn everything from anatomy and posture analysis to how to lead inspiring mat and reformer classes, use props, and design thoughtful sequences — all with the personal touch that makes Villa, Villa.
Why FONV?
At Villa Pilates, our instructor training is from the FONV Association — a globally respected Pilates education body originating from Korea.
FONV is known throughout Asia for its depth, rigour, and emphasis on real anatomical understanding. This isn’t surface-level learning. FONV’s approach trains instructors to teach with purpose — cueing effectively, programming intentionally, and adjusting students with both confidence and care.
What makes FONV different?
In-depth curriculum focused on practical anatomy, posture analysis, and real-world teaching techniques
Global recognition — highly regarded across Asia’s most competitive Pilates markets including Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai and Singapore
Ongoing network — FONV is more than a course. It’s a growing community of instructors, studio owners and mentors offering continuous workshops, teaching opportunities and collaboration
Career-focused — You won’t just graduate. You’ll be career-ready and globally competitive
See it in action — All of Villa’s current instructors are FONV-trained, so when you attend classes at our studios, you’re learning from experts who once stood where you are
Whether your dream is to teach locally, travel with your practice, or eventually open your own studio — FONV gives you the skills, credibility and support to take Pilates anywhere.
What you’ll receive
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Over 80 hours of in-person training led by Villa's experienced Course Educator who are certified course-trainers by the FONV Pilates Association. Each Course Educator has undergone 150+ hours of training for the course.
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FONV Association Certification, recognised internationally and eligible for instructor insurance. This allows you to work internationally.
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Full coverage of mat, reformer, and prop-based Pilates instruction. You will also learn Posture Analysis, which allows you to determine physical needs of individual clients, allowing you to tailor classes to specific body types.
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Hands-on learning with real-time teaching practice, cueing, corrections, and feedback.
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Opportunity to assist and observe in real Villa classes across our two studios. There is a requirement of 10 hours of teaching a group class/private clients within our studios. We are one of few Pilates Instructor courses which allow you direct access to a studio for practice teaching.
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Structured mini-tests, practical teaching hours, and a final examination. Throughout the course, you have access to our exclusive student community, ongoing support, and post-course guidance to support your instructor journey.
Hear it from our students and graduates.
September Intake Dates
FAQs
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The Pilates Essential Course comprises 28 hours of theory, 20 hours of practice, and 76 hours of training. These sessions are conducted through a blend of online classes and in-person training. Our in-person sessions provide the optimal environment for receiving personalized feedback from instructors, fostering confidence as an instructor.
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What Are the Main Pilates Instructor Qualifications in Australia/NZ?
There are three main qualification pathways:
Pilates Certificate Course
Certificate IV in Pilates (nationally recognised)
Diploma of Pilates
These are all valid and accepted across studios in Australia & New Zealand — each varies in cost, duration, depth, and career pathway. Some advanced programs may offer an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor degree in Pilates, but they’re not essential for starting your journey.
You can become a Pilates Instructor from studying our course, which is accredited by Korean Fitness standards. By completing the course, you can apply for national Pilates Instructor insurance which then allows you to teach at a Pilates studio.
The only benefit of studying at a Certificate IV/III is if you’re looking to work as a Pilates Instructor in an Australian gymnasium, which usually requires this particular certification.
Most boutique studios, wellness centres, and clinics accept certificate-trained instructors — especially if they’ve trained with reputable programs like FONV Academy.
You only need a Certificate III/IV in Fitness if you plan to work at commercial gyms like Fitness First or Goodlife. These chains often have internal policies that require fitness qualifications for insurance purposes.
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Our comprehensive curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including Pilates fundamentals, teaching of the reformer, mat, and props, as well as anatomy. The anatomy component is led by experienced instructors, ensuring a deep understanding of the body's mechanics and enhancing your ability to teach Pilates effectively and safely. Additionally, the course includes specialized instruction in addressing medical conditions and prenatal Pilates, providing you with a diverse skill set for a successful career in Pilates instruction.
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With our course certification, you can pursue various career paths in the Pilates industry. You can work as a group Pilates instructor for mat or reformer classes, offering both group sessions and private lessons to clients. Additionally, the certification may open doors to opportunities where you can train and mentor aspiring Pilates instructors, shaping the next generation of professionals in the field. Our certification also allows you to work as an instructor in studios globally, providing flexibility and opportunities for international experience. The Pilates teachers' community is known for its supportive and encouraging atmosphere, offering flexible work hours and locations. Whether you have kids or other commitments, you can choose the hours you want to work, and the compensation is fair and competitive.
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The course spans over a 2-month period and includes workshops and seminars. Following the educational component, there is a 2-month gap before the exam. During this time, students transition into apprenticeship roles, shadowing instructors to gain hands-on knowledge and real-life application. At Villa Pilates, we ensure guaranteed shadowing positions and offer opportunities for hands-on learning and practical application of education, enhancing the overall learning experience.
In conclusion, the course spans 2 months of weekend learning sessions and occasional weeknight seminars. Following this educational phase, there is a 1-month apprenticeship to facilitate exam revision and hands-on training. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, students sit for the exam.
By undertaking this comprehensive program, participants emerge as globally accredited and highly competitive Pilates instructors equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel in this dynamic field.
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The FONV Level 1 course is $6500 AUD.
There are payment options available for the course.
The payment options are below:
$1500 non-refundable deposit upon successful application. Then remainder full payment $5000 by 1st September 2025.
$1500 non-refundable deposit upon successful application. Then $1000 weekly instalments starting 10th August 2025.
There is no interest charged for the above payment plans.
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As we have a close knit team and small intake, we can only allow two sessions missed within the fees of the $5500 course.
We will offer make-up sessions during apprenticeship month.
If more than 2 sessions are missed then any subsequent make up sessions will incur a $150 lesson fee.
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The next Level One exam will be held in Melbourne in April 2026 (TBC).
However, you may attend the examinations at other FONV association studios in other countries if they have one at a more suitable time for you.
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With your certificate you may apply for positions at Pilates Studios of your choice. Villa Pilates requires all graduates to interview at the studio alike other applicants.
As Villa Pilates is the official FONV education centre in Melbourne, there are career opportunities to become a FONV educator in Melbourne.
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Students of the FONV academy have the opportunity to undertake placement and observation hours at Villa Pilates studio.
However, students are welcome to organise these at any studio of their choice.
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Who Is This Course Ideal For?
Aspiring Pilates instructors (no fitness background needed)
Allied Health professionals (Physiotherapists, Osteos, etc.)
Certified instructors wanting deeper hands-on training
International students looking to study with a respected studio brand in Australia
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In-depth pre-course materials (textbooks)
Face-to-face sessions at Villa Pilates Melbourne
Supervised practice teaching hours
Small group mentoring
Ongoing support + connection to an international network
No hidden costs except optional Pilates Instructor insurance upon completion
Studio use for self-practice at Villa Pilates (after-hours)
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Our course is popular with international students as the FONV course is highly recognised in Korea, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and China.
FONV Melbourne’s course is ideal for those on working holidays, tourist visas, or already residing in Australia.
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No problem. FONV includes full anatomy and physiology education, so you’ll graduate feeling confident in cueing, correcting, and delivering exceptional classes.
Begin your journey!
Apply now — all applications are carefully reviewed to ensure alignment with our program values and community standards. Please complete the form thoroughly, as we select students who demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and a genuine passion for Pilates education and practice.