How to become a Tour Guide

Tour guides accompany visitors on local tours and guide tourists within a specific country, region, area, city or site. They provide special information on history, archaeology, monuments and works of art, the environment, culture, natural and built attractions, places of interest, and any general matters of interest to the visitor.

Personal requirements for a Tour Guide

Mature
Able to accept responsibility
Patient and tactful
Understanding and acceptance of different cultures
Good organisational skills
Excellent general knowledge of Australia and regional touring areas
Problem-solving skills and ability to think logically
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job

Education & Training for a Tour Guide

You can work as a tour guide without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications and you may like to consider a VET course. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.You can also become a tour guide through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10. Entry to this occupation may also be improved if you have relevant experience in the hospitality or tourism industries.

Additional information

Companies that specialise in ecotourism or nature-based tourism may require tour guides to hold a diploma or degree in science, ecotourism or a similar subject. First aid qualifications are generally required by employers. Age limits may also apply.

Duties & Tasks of a Tour Guide

Tour guides:

Meet members of a tour on arrival and make introductions
Coordinate pre-arranged accommodation and transport and make sure that tour members are comfortable
Lead tour groups, drive coaches or limousines, advise tour members of local interest points, and prepare and present tour commentaries
Coordinate pre-arranged tour activities such as visits to local attractions, restaurants or shops, train rides, cruises, extended tours, white water rafting, bushwalking and mountaineering
Research and share general information on Australian Indigenous cultures
Attend to operational problems such as booking errors and amendments, lost luggage or illness
Provide first aid if needed
Keep in touch with transportation companies
Maintain written reports of daily activities and carry out other administrative work.

Tasks

Arranges entry to places of interest.
Plans, organises and conducts tours.
Arranges transportation and accommodation for visitors following planned itineraries.
May assist with installing and dismantling exhibits.
Meets and greets visitors.
Answers questions, provides commentaries, issues brochures and tour literature, shows audio-visual presentations, and explains components and procedures at tour sites.
Plans and rearranges schedules and itineraries.
Controls visitors' access to exhibits.

Working conditions for a Tour Guide

Being a tour guide is often physically demanding. During a tour, guides must be available at all times to answer questions and sort out problems. Manual work such as loading or unloading baggage or other equipment may be required.Tour guides are often required to spend time away from home, especially those fulfilling the role of tour manager.

Employment Opportunities for a Tour Guide

Most tour guides work casually on a contract or part-time basis, as employment tends to be seasonal. There are some opportunities for self-employment as a tour operator, tour manager or tour guide supervisor who trains tour guides. Some tour guides work at specific attractions such as museums, cultural centres, theme parks and sporting facilities.Fluency in languages other than English is highly desirable. There is often demand for tour guides who can speak Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, French and Italian.

Specializations

Tour Guide

Average age
44
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
48% female
Average full-time
46 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
41%
Employment Size
2,900
Employment by state
ACT: 2.3%
NSW: 28.0%
NT: 5.6%
QLD: 25.2%
SA: 5.7%
TAS: 5.4%
VIC: 18.2%
WA: 9.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 2.4%
20-24: 8.4%
25-34: 22.7%
35-44: 18.2%
45-54: 21.9%
55-59: 10.6%
60-64: 7.4%
65 and Over: 8.5%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 13.9%
Bachelor degree: 27.1%
Certificate III/IV: 16.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 10.3%
Year 10 and below: 8.2%
Year 11: 3.6%
Year 12: 20.8%