RGR40118 is the nationally recognised Certificate IV behind horse trainer work. It has been the current version on the national register since 2018, when it replaced RGR40108. About 100 horse trainer jobs were advertised in June 2026, down 1.3% on a year earlier.
The signals behind the Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer) are mixed, and both sides are worth weighing. Horse trainers are in national shortage and employment is projected to grow through 2035. Enrolments are falling. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.
Job ads for horse trainers are holding steady. About 100 horse trainer jobs were advertised online in June 2026, down 1.3% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months there were about 1,400 job ads, while 305 people were training in the qualification nationally (2025). Ads show the market. Enrolments show the pipeline. Neither is a job promise.
Australia's official shortage list rates horse trainers as in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Horse Trainer as in national shortage; Dog Handler or Trainer, Pet Groomer, Zookeeper, Kennel Hand, Track Rider and Animal Attendants and Trainers nec as not in shortage.
Horse trainer jobs are projected to grow. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 26,019 workers in May 2025, 27,347 by May 2030 (up 5.1%) and 28,881 by May 2035 (up 11%).
Fewer people are enrolling in the Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer) than a year ago. Across Australia, 340 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 305, down 10.3% in a year.
The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.
State funding for RGR40118 is being verified against official program lists.
Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.
The Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer) is 16 units: 7 core, plus 9 electives chosen from 32 options on the register. Prerequisites apply to Seven of them, marked below.
No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.
Browse coursesGet Course maps RGR40118 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 3611) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; register training.gov.au, synced 18 September 2026; employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.