Qualification Info
What requirements are needed to become a Stunt Person

Grading Categories

There are 6 skill categories for which Stunt Performers are eligible for grading. These include (1) Body Control, (2) Heights, (3) Vehicles, (4) Animals, (5) Water and (6) Fire.

Persons graded at the level of Stunt Actor Provisional (SAP) have competency in a minimum of four out of the first five categories, with a choice of skill within each category. It is compulsory for the individual to have competency in one of the two Body Control sub-categories and a minimum six months General Stunt Training.

Persons graded at the level of Stunt Actor have demonstrated advanced knowledge and stunt skills in a minimum of five out of the six categories. It is compulsory for the individual to have competency in Body Control.

The six categories along with their included skills and required level of training for grading are listed.

Category One – Body Control
Skill	Training Level
General Stunt Training	Competency to be evidenced in a range of basic stunt body control skills including, but not limited to falls, rolls, fights, mini tramp and rigs.

Sub-Category A – Physical
Skill	Training Level
Gymnastics	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Trampoline	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
High Diving	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Dancing	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Snow Skiing / Boarding	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Parkour / Free Running	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.

Sub-Category B – Fighting
Skill	Training Level
Martial Arts	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Boxing	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Wrestling	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Fencing / Theatrical Fighting	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.

Category Two – Heights
Skill	Training Level
Rock / Tree Climbing	A minimum of 6 months active involvement and / or certificate of basic proficiency i.e., completion of a recognised course and / or a reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Abseiling	A minimum of 6 months active involvement and / or certificate of basic proficiency i.e., completion of a recognised course and / or a reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Aerial Artistry	4m and above / A minimum of 6 months active involvement and / or certificate of basic proficiency i.e., completion of a recognised course and / or a reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Wire Work	Including Decel and rigging/operating (4 meters and above) / A minimum of 6 months active involvement and / or certificate of basic proficiency i.e., completion of a recognised course and / or a reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Falls	6 metres minimum into a fall arrest device supervised and witnessed by a Stunt Coordinator.
High Diving	(10 metres) / A minimum of 6 months active involvement and / or certificate of basic proficiency i.e., completion of a recognised course and / or a reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Parachuting	Qualification in free fall parachuting involving completion of a basic course consisting of theory, landings, ground work, static jumps and free fall.
Hang Gliding	Basic (2nd level) licence involving completion of a recognised course.
Paragliding	Licence involving completion of a recognised course.

Category Three – Vehicles
Skill	Training Level
Driving	One nationally recognised manual vehicle licence AND Successful completion of a Road Transport Authority (RTA) or National Stunt Committee recognised advanced driving course(s).

Category Four – Animals
Skill	Training Level
Horses Bulls Camels	A minimum of one year active involvement and / or evidence of competition. This can be any area - dressage, jumping, eventing, western pleasure, cutting, rodeo, carriage driving - provided the applicant has full knowledge of saddlery and tack.

Category Five – Water
Skill	Training Level
Swimming	Bronze Cross / Medallion or equivalent in Life Saving.
SCUBA Diving	Open Water Certificate with minimum of ten logged dives undertaken within the last twelve months.
Free Diving	Level 1 Certificate / A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Water Skiing	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Wind Surfing	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.
Surf Boarding	A minimum of one-year active involvement with evidence of competition and / or reference from a recognised instructor / coach in the field.

Category Six – Fire
Skill	Training Level
Fire	The individual has full knowledge of the preparation (including choreography) for burns and / or torches, as well as a clear understanding of the safety aspects of working with fire. They have acted as a stunt assistant on a minimum of five burns and / or torches in addition to participating in a minimum of one partial three quarter burn (two arms, two legs & back).

This is a brief summary of the stunt skill categories as outlined by the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance - National Stunt Committee. What has been highlighted is the immense training and skill level that is required to work as a stunt performer within the Australian Film and Television Industry.

For full details of the stunt grading procedure go to www.meaa.org