Achievement Pathways Improvements
We are excited to introduce 5 improvements to the Achievement Pathways! These improvements are designed to make delivering the youth program easier and more impactful.
The improvements launched on 23 September, building on what works and simplifying what doesn’t. They have been shaped by extensive consultation with around 4,500 youth members and adult volunteers.
Where we’ve come from
Seven years on from the launch of Scouts Australia’s modern program, it was time to undertake a targeted review.
The Achievement Pathways review was a journey of listening, reflecting and planning together. The improvements were informed by extensive consultation in 2025, which captured the experiences of approximately 4,484 young people and volunteers across Scouts Australia.
Through locally facilitated discussions, Units and Groups shared their successes and challenges with the Achievement Pathways. Some of the key themes included:
Flexibility
Units value the flexibility and choice built into the Achievement Pathways, enabling young people to drive their own journey across sections as part of One Program.
Adventure
Outdoor Adventure Skills stand out as the most loved component of the Achievement Pathways, however accessing adventurous activities can be challenging.
Simplicity
Clearer guidance and better scaffolding are needed to simplify some elements, such as Intro to Scouting, Intro to Section and Special Interest Areas.
Support
Quality programming must be underpinned by strong support, tools and resources which make it easier to deliver the program and reduce admin.
Introducing the Improvements
Intro to Scouting and Intro to Section
Intro to Scouting and Intro to Section have been refreshed, with reduced content and more engaging resources. Intro to Scouting still covers the essentials, but Units choose how to deliver it: This could be the new Intro to Scouting video, a picture book for younger members, a short discussion, or interactive games.
Intro to Section is a checklist of activities that new members complete in their first few weeks, or as they move up from the section below. It is part of the welcome, not a test.
Milestones
Assists have been removed, and the number of leads has increased slightly so that Milestones remain an appropriate challenge.
Milestone 1: 6 participates from each Challenge Area, and 2 leads from any Challenge Area.
Milestone 2: 5 participates from each Challenge Area, and 4 leads from any Challenge Area.
Milestone 3: 4 participates from each Challenge Area, and 6 leads from any Challenge Area.
A participate is attending an activity. A lead is helping to plan, run or review an activity, at a level that suits the section. This includes what previously counted as an assist, and Units can award more than one lead for the same activity.
Special Interest Areas
Each Special Interest Area now includes defined project options, while youth members can still set their own goal. Youth members choose one of the options in their chosen area, or a “your own idea” option, and build their project around it.
The options are specific without being prescriptive, distinct from one another, and suitable for every age section.
Approval has also been clarified, so two Unit Council members can approve a proposed or completed project.
Outdoor Adventure Skills I-Statements
I-Statement wording has been updated to add context and simplify language.
The requirements have not changed. Sentences across a number of Outdoor Adventure Skills are shorter and easier to follow, and the reading level of each stage has been matched to the age of the young people who typically complete it.
The intent, outcomes and content of every I-Statement are unchanged.
Outdoor Adventure Skills needed for Peak Awards
Stages 7, 8 and 9 now each count as two Outdoor Adventure Skills progressions for peak awards.
These stages often require external experts, specialist instruction or formal training courses, so this improvement recognises the amount of time and effort required to complete the most advanced stages.
A new home for program resources
Alongside the improvements, new and enhanced resources are here to make it easier to run a great program. These resources have been designed to be more engaging, accessible, practical, and fit-for-purpose.
Our program resources site has been refreshed to be more user-friendly. Visit resources.scouts.com.au for a one-stop shop of program information and support.
More information about the Achievement Pathways Improvements can be found here too, including transition resources to help your Unit make the move.
Learn more about the Improvements
Join the National Youth Program Team for a one-hour online session explaining the changes. These will take place on the following dates – please click the relevent link below to join on the night.
Thu 24 Sep 2026
7:30pm AEST | 7:00pm ACST | 5:30pm AWST
Mon 28 Sep 2026
7:30pm AEST | 7:00pm ACST | 5:30pm AWST
Wed 30 Sep 2026
7:30pm AEST | 7:00pm ACST | 5:30pm AWST
Tue 13 Oct 2026
9:30pm AEDT | 9:00pm ACDT | 8:30pm AEST | 8:00pm ACST | 6:30pm AWST
Thu 15 Oct 2026
7:30pm AEDT | 7:00pm ACDT | 6:30pm AEST | 6:00pm ACST | 4:30pm AWST
Sun 18 Oct 2026
7:30pm AEDT | 7:00pm ACDT | 6:30pm AEST | 6:00pm ACST | 4:30pm AWST
Updates to Scouts | Terrain are coming
Updates to Scouts | Terrain to reflect the Improvements are now in development, and are on track to be rolled out by the start of Term 1, 2027. Between now and then, you may notice procedural updates as these changes roll out.
Email terrain.support@scouts.com.au with any questions.
Frequently asked questions
Why are we making changes to the program?
The Achievement Pathways improvements reflect the World Organization of the Scout Movement’s expectation that National Scout Organisations, such as Scouts Australia, regularly evaluate their programs and make adjustments. Seven years on from the launch of our current program, it was timely to undertake a targeted review.
Are there lots of changes?
No. The improvements address specific elements of the Achievement Pathways where common challenges were identified through consultation. The changes are small, but meaningful.
Who designed the Achievement Pathways improvements?
Following input from young people and volunteers across Scouts Australia, solutions were developed by the National Youth Program Team, including representatives from all Branches. They worked in partnership with the Key Move 1 working groups, which bring together Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts, volunteers in a range of Scouting roles, and staff. The National Operations Committee approved the Achievement Pathways improvements and decided the implementation plan.
Is this a new youth program?
No, this is about strengthening the current program to make it easier to deliver, clearer to understand, and more impactful for every Scout. The Achievement Pathways are the program’s personal progression framework and only one element of the Scout program. The activities your Unit does and the fundamentals of Scouting, such as the Scout Method and SPICES, haven’t changed.
Where can I find resources and support?
Supporting resources are available now at resources.scouts.com.au, including transition resources to help your Unit make the move. You can also join one of the online information sessions listed above, or contact your Branch’s program team.
Need support?
If you have any questions, please email youth.program.support@scouts.com.au. Your Branch’s program team can also assist with any queries.
We are so excited to see how these improvements make the program even more adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive!