Code of Practice

Overview

This Code of Practice is designed to provide information to prospective training and assessment participants.  This document applies to all competency-based training and assessment services supplied by ADAS.

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), code 88104, ADAS has an obligation to operate within the Principles and Standards of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Please note that, with some limited exceptions when courses are delivered directly by ADAS personnel, ADAS training and assessment courses are delivered through Accredited Training Establishments (ATEs).  ADAS places responsibility on these ATEs and their training staff for providing students with relevant and appropriate information on course administration and training information in these instances.

The Organisation

ADAS (the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme) is the Australian national occupational diver training and certification scheme.  It was developed by the Australian Commonwealth Government in 1988 to promote safe occupational diving operations through accredited training and assessment and diver certification/licensing.  It is administered by the ADAS Board of Directors through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and operates on a cost recovery (not-for-profit) basis.

ADAS provides occupational diver training and assessment to Australia, New Zealand and to South East Asia, Asia and the Middle East.  It comprises commercial, scientific, military, and police Accredited Training Establishments (ATEs).  This document applies to all competency-based training and assessment services supplied by ADAS.

ADAS provides training and assessment services within our scope of registration as an RTO which may be viewed on the training.gov.au website.

Training Programs and Standards

Each ADAS diver and diving supervisor training and assessment course is based on the requirements of the relevant components of the Australian and New Zealand Standards 2299.1 Occupational Diving Operations, 2299.2 Occupational Diving Operations (Scientific Diving), and the Australian Standard 2815 series.

Diver and diving supervisor training and assessment available through ADAS includes:

• Scientific SCUBA diving to 30m
• SCUBA diving to 30m
• SSBA diving to 30m
• SSBA diving to 50m
• Bell diving
• Onshore Supervisor

Students who successfully complete the training courses specified above (as extended by ADAS) are eligible for full (commercial) diver certification under ADAS.

AS2815 Standards

AS 2815 Standards were developed by the SF/17 Diving Committee of Standards Australia in conjunction with ADAS and overseas diver training authorities. They define the minimum acceptable competency standards for the various levels of occupational divers.

AS 2815 training and certification of occupational divers, is published in six parts:

• Part 1: SCUBA diving to 30m (AS 2815.1)
• Part 2: SSBA diving to 30m (AS 2815.2)
• Part 3: SSBA diving to 50m (AS 2815.3)
• Part 4: Bell diving (AS 2815.4)
• Part 5: Onshore diving supervisor (AS/NZS 2815.5)
• Part 6: Scientific SCUBA diving to 30m (AS/NZS 2815.6)

Non-Diving Standards

Non-diving related ADAS courses, such as Hyperbaric Tunnel Worker or Chamber Operator, have also been developed in accordance with relevant Standards.

ADAS Certification

ADAS provides a licence to those who can establish that they have been assessed by an Accredited Training Establishment (ATE) as successfully meeting the competency requirements of the relevant Australian/New Zealand Standards. Once a student has successfully demonstrated competency to the required standard/s, the ATE will recommend them to be certified at the appropriate level under the ADAS scheme.

An ADAS licence is only valid while certificate holders undertake their work in accordance with appropriate legislation and operational standards.

Recruitment

All applicants for ADAS diver training must comply with the general prerequisites listed below and any course-specific prerequisites as listed in the course information before starting training.

Diving Candidates

Occupational diving is a high risk occupation that requires candidates and certified divers to be exposed to the hazards of hyperbaric and aquatic environments.

It can involve strenuous activity in and under the water and the performance of tasks that require the candidate to have reasonable degrees of fitness, mobility, agility, dexterity and strength. Candidates will be required to enter and exit the water from boats, piers and jetties and to assist other team members to do so.  They will need to don and doff relatively heavy items such as weight belts and scuba tanks, to load and unload equipment from vehicles and to rescue and recover their team mates from the water in simulated (and perhaps real) emergencies.

Candidates must be able to communicate clearly and accurately with team mates and supervisors, to relay instructions to and from divers underwater, to write accurate, clear, concise and legible reports on inspections and underwater work and to carry out reasonably complex mathematical calculations involving pressure, time, depth, changes in buoyancy, decompression etc.

In the interests of personal and team safety, no allowances can be made for any disability which affects the capacity of a candidate to operate as a fully functioning dive team member.

Prerequisites for ADAS Training

Medical Fitness of Candidates

Divers, and anyone who is subjected to substantial changes in pressures as they descent and ascent and operate at depth, are exposed to a range of physical, physiological and medical effects that can increase the level of risk.  Additionally, the existence of certain physical, physiological and medical conditions are also well known to substantially increase risk factors.

Also, occupational divers are required to undertake strenuous underwater activities that increase the level of physical and physiological stress.

These effects are well known and understood, and modern diving medical and fitness standards, as well as diving practices and procedures, are designed to control those risks within acceptable limits.  The Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2299.1 Occupational Diving Operations prescribes medical fitness levels for occupational divers and hyperbaric workers (eg: Chamber technicians), and details the medical examination and tests to be carried out by a medico specially trained in underwater medicine in order for an occupational diver/hyperbaric worker to be certified as medically fit to undertake occupational diving.

All ADAS trainees undergoing initial occupational diver/hyperbaric worker training must, before commencing practical diving, be in possession of a valid medical certificate of medical fitness to dive issued within 90 days of the start of the course.

If for any reason the medical certificate is older than 90 days, the medical history of the candidate during the intervening period must be checked to identify if there are any obvious occurrences that would require the candidate to be re-assessed by a medical doctor.

> Also see Medical Fitness

Age of Candidates

The Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2299.1 Occupational Diving Operations requires that candidates for occupational diver training be a minimum of 18 years of age. This is due to a combination of factors:

• Bone growth continues in humans until late teens and can continue in individuals into the early twenties.  There is some evidence that bone growth can be inhibited or impaired by exposure to the some of the conditions experienced in diving.
• Occupational divers are required to be able to undertake reasonably strenuous work including potential involvement in the rescue and recovery of team mates.  This requires a degree of size and strength that is generally directly related to the physical maturity generally occurring in the late teens.
• Occupational divers are often required to make decisions based on understanding and judgment that generally comes with age and increased experience.

> Also see Age Requirements

Fitness Levels and Water Skills of Candidates

Diver candidates are required to undertake reasonably arduous underwater activities involving manual handling, lifting and carrying, and extended times in and underwater.  Candidates need to be reasonably fit and to have good swimming skills. They must be able to to competently swim a minimum of 200 metres in good form without stopping.

ADAS courses are normally based on intensive and active 10-12 hour days for 5 days a week.

The diver courses do not include basic SCUBA diving training and all candidates must hold a recognised certificate of recreational diving competence (e.g. a sports diver qualification from a recognised SCUBA training organisation, or a certificate as a military diver).

> Also see Medical Fitness

Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements (LLN)

Most training Standards have clear minimum requirements in regard to language, literacy and numeracy as explained below.

ADAS courses are designed to take account of this and all ADAS trainers and assessors provide:

• Materials, resources, assessment tools and tasks that do not require clients to have LLN skills more complex than those used in the workplace for the competencies being taught/assessed.
• Clear models of the language/literacy/numeracy task.
• Opportunities for repeated and supported practice.
• Opportunities for independent practice.

All students have the option to be assessed in order to ascertain if their LLN skills are sufficient to successfully undertake the training program.  This is usually via the ADAS LLN online test, by face-to-face interview/s with the ADAS trainers, or by completion of exercises contained in the proposed training program.

Where clients require additional practice and training ADAS can provide some LLN support.

Language
Effective communication is a fundamental aspect of safety in occupational hyperbaric industries.  Instructions and changes in situations and conditions must be able to be communicated clearly, concisely and accurately between supervisors, attendants and divers/hyperbaric workers.  This is especially important under conditions of increased stress as may be experienced in an emergency and/or when communication is inhibited by adverse environmental conditions and/or substandard radio or telephone equipment.  All team members must be able to communicate effectively in a common language.

Additionally, occupational divers are often required to report on specific aspects of seabed, equipment or work site conditions to other divers or client representatives on the surface.

Candidates must be able to understand written and verbal communication in English, and be able to communicate accurately in English with other people (this is of particular importance where trainees or instructors are of differing nationalities).  The exceptions to this requirement are ADAS courses specifically conducted in a foreign language.

It must also be remembered that an ADAS certificate entitles the holder to dive in Australian, UK, Canadian, French, South African, Norwegian or Dutch waters where fluent communication in English is a key factor in safe diving.

Literacy
Occupational divers, as part of their job, are often required to undertake underwater surveys and inspections and must be able to write accurate, clear, concise and legible reports on inspections and underwater work displaying acceptable standards of spelling, grammar and syntax.

Numeracy
Occupational divers/hyperbaric workers are often required to carry out mathematical calculations involving pressure, time, depth, changes in buoyancy, decompression etc.  Some of these are fundamental to effective dive planning and diver safety and others are required to fulfil the requirements of the job.

All ADAS candidates must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals and fractions; calculate percentages (non-programmable calculators may be used); and transpose and solve simple formulae to demonstrate understanding of, for example, the gas laws.

These mathematical requirements will be revised during ADAS courses but candidates must commence the course with reasonable standards of numeracy in order to be able to cope with these demands.

LLN Test
ADAS has developed an online LLN test which is available to all potential students.  This test is designed to assess the literacy and numeracy skills of applicants and provides ATEs with an indication of not only mathematical ability, but also language comprehension, composition, and grammar.

The LLN test is an ideal way for ATEs to evaluate the capabilities of student before they begin the training course and will provide guidance for the anticipated support required for each student.

While the test is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to all students as a way to pinpoint any areas of support that are needed, for both the student and the trainers.

Students completing a non-English language ADAS course are also encouraged to undertake the LLN test as it will indicate numeracy ability to students and trainers.  There is a translate option available on the test to assist students who do not speak English.

You can find the ADAS LLN test on the ADAS Online Learning site.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

New or continuing students who are planning to complete an ADAS course with an Australian based training establishment are required to gain a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before they begin their training.

The USI system is regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and allows students to access a complete record of their past Vocational Education and Training (VET) training outcomes.

Students enrolling in a training course must create a USI by completing an online application form via the USI website.  Once the USI has been created, that unique code will be affiliated to that individual for the remainder of their training career and can be used for any future training.

Every Australian based Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is required to verify the authenticity of each applicant’s USI before any VET related testamurs can be issued to that person.

The USI process for potential ADAS students involves:

• Student goes to usi.gov.au to create a USI (this requires a valid form of identification such as Australian drivers licence or passport)
• Student provides their USI code to the ATE they’re enrolling with
• The ATE submits the USI code to ADAS for verification
• ADAS verifies the USI and gives approval (or otherwise) to the ATE for that particular student to be issued with VET documentation if they are competent in all other requirements.

NOTE: If a student who is studying in Australia does not hold a USI the ARE NOT eligible to receive a VET qualification or testamur.

International Students and/or Training
Students who intend to train in Australia but reside out of Australia are also required to gain a USI.  In these cases, students can use their Australian Visa in the place of a drivers licence or passport.

Students who intend to train outside of Australia are not required to obtain a USI.  This also means that transcripts will not be available for those students in the future.

More information about the USI system can be found on the USI website or by contacting ADAS or an ADAS ATE.

Specific Training Pre-requisites

Details of further pre-requisites specific to each level of ADAS training can be found in the Training Courses pages on this website.

Participant Information, Enrolment and Orientation

ADAS and its ATEs will provide accurate, relevant and up-to-date information to participants prior to enrolment regarding their training and assessment program and options.  This includes as a minimum:

• Course outcomes and pathways
• Prerequisites
• Training and assessment arrangements, including Recognition of Prior Learning
• Fees and charges, including refunds
• Selection and enrolment of learners
• Support for students
• Complaints and appeals procedures
• Qualifications to be issued on completion or part completion of courses
• Competencies to be achieved during training

Information for each training program is available to all participants from ADAS and ATEs.

Information on individual Units of Competency trom Training Package qualifications can be accessed via the Training.gov.au website.  ADAS accredited course competencies are available from ADAS on request.

Student Induction

All students will undertake an induction process at the commencement of the training program.  This induction will cover not only ADAS’ policies and procedures, but will also provide details of the ATEs own policies and procedures.

Students will be briefed on all relevant training and assessment issues including, but not limited to:

• Course program
• Timetable and assessment details
• Occupational Health and Safety standards
• Required trainee behaviour and discipline issues
• Appeal arrangements
• Performance expectations.

Training Material

During the student induction process, the ATE will provide all students with relevant training material. This material includes, but is not limited to:

• Course program
• Course texts and workbooks
• Assessment information package
• Training Record Book
• Access to online learning material

Training Record Books (TRBs)

ADAS Training Record Books (TRBs) act as a central depository for all training related documentation such as diver medicals, First Aid certifications, and assessment tools.  They also provide a summary of the required units of competency relevant to each course.

Both the student and the training manager are to sign declarations within the TRBs confirming the authenticity of the material contained within the book.

Student Privacy

ADAS is committed to supporting the National Privacy Principles which set clear standards for the collection, access, storage and use of personal information which ADAS obtains as part of its business operations.

Respect for ADAS customers’ right to privacy of their personal information is paramount.  Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that all personal information, no matter how or where it is obtained, is handled sensitively, securely, and in accordance with the National Privacy Principles.

Training Records

Trainee records and personal information are kept secure and confidential at all times.  This material is available on request, by the candidate, by giving 48 hours written notice to the ATE or ADAS.

All training and assessment material will be held on file by the training establishment for a minimum of seven (7) years.

Student Support

Each ADAS ATE is required to have systems in place to offer support to students if required.  Support can be in the form of academic or personal support with the type and level of support being assessed on a case-by-case basis by ATE staff.

Examples of support available can include: additional tutoring; provision of additional time to undertake practical assessments if a student was unfit to dive during the course; or language support.

Please note that student support provided may incur a cost in addition to the training fees.

 

Training Delivery

ADAS ensures that training resources meet the requirements of the relevant training package(s) and/or accredited course(s), for the delivery, assessment and issuance of qualifications.

ADAS affirms that it has in place and applies the following resources:

• Diver Trainers and ADAS Training and Assessment Managers (ATAMs) with appropriate training qualifications and experience as identified in the relevant accredited course and Training Package, and industry experience that is current and relevant to the particular course or modules they are assessing.
• Training delivery material and assessment tools and methods appropriate to the course or modules being conducted.
• Relevant Training Package and/or accredited course documents and support materials, with necessary copyright authorisations.

Delivery strategies utilised by ADAS are always selected to best achieve the required outcomes from the elements of competence while giving due consideration to the learning style of the participant.

Delivery modes may include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrations
• Group participation
• Individual projects
• Learning support works
• Audio/visual presentations
• Computer managed learning
• Site visits
• Internet access

ADAS theory training is normally conducted indoors using a variety of training aids and methods.  Skills-based training is delivered in controlled, realistic environments using equipment and procedures similar to those used in the workplace.

Occupational diving is a potentially high risk activity and in recognition of this, no on-the-job diver training in uncontrolled dive sites is undertaken during ADAS diver training courses.

All relevant training materials are provided by the ATEs.

Accredited Training Establishment (ATE) Compliance

ADAS is committed to maintaining high standards of diver training and assessment.  Accordingly, ADAS actively monitors Accredited Training Establishment (ATE) compliance with Standards and ADAS requirements. This takes many forms including:

• Annual audits of all ATEs;
• Random audits of individual diver trainee records;
• Investigating any and all ATE trainee diver incidents and complaints.

Student Surveys

Once training program is completed, students will be asked to undertake a student survey.  This survey will provide ADAS valuable feedback in relation to course delivery, assessment procedures, training faciltities, and course instructors.

Student survey responses are also valuable to assist ADAS in reviewing existing programs, and in developing future training and assessment activities.  They also provide a means to ensure ATE compliance with ADAS requirements.

ADAS staff member may also contact students by phone or email after the course completion to discuss their ongoing thoughts and opinions about the course, the ATE, and ADAS as a whole.

Assessment

All ADAS competency assessments are undertaken by qualified assessors who are skilled in the competencies they assess.  Evidence of competence is collected using a variety of assessment tools.

To accommodate the needs of individuals, ADAS offers various assessment methods including skills recognition, simulations, and written and verbal assessments.  All assessments are conducted using an open, supportive process, which ensures participants are aware of the precise requirements of their assessment.

All practical assessments are undertaken in a controlled environment providing realistic scenarios for participants to demonstrate their skills.  Participants are deemed ‘competent’ when they can consistently demonstrate their skills and knowledge against all performance criteria to the standards required in the workplace.

All assessment outcomes are recorded in ADAS Training Record Books.  All training and assessment records are held in the strictest confidence ensuring confidentiality and privacy of individuals.  ATEs provide feedback to applicants about the outcomes of assessments and guidance on future options.

If students wish to appeal an assessment outcome, they can do so by following the ADAS Complaints and Appeals process (below), or the ATEs own processes.

Assessment Principles

ADAS ensures that all assessment conducted within the organisation is valid, reliable, fair and flexible.

• Valid – Assessment activities will always meet the requirements as specified in the unit of competence/module.  Sufficient evidence will always be collected, and will be relevant to the standard/module being assessed.
• Reliable – All assessment methods and procedures will ensure that competency standards/modules are applied consistently and that there is always consistency in the interpretation of evidence.
• Fair – Assessment methods and procedures will not, under any circumstance, disadvantage any client.
• Flexible – Assessment will be offered in the training environment (off-the-job) or via recognition of prior learning/recognition of current competence.  ADAS will ensure that all assessment methods and practices allow for diversity with regard to how, where and when competence has been/will be acquired.

Assessment Pathways

ADAS offers clients a number of assessment pathways appropriate to the qualification outcome.

Assessment conducted for the purposes of Vocational Education and Training (VET) national recognition will lead to a part or a full qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The main assessment pathways to a qualification utilised by ADAS can be listed as follows:

• Off-the-job training and assessment
• Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Formal Training
• Credit transfer.

More details on assessment notification, requirements, and conditions will be provided by ATEs during the student induction process.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the acknowledgment of competencies obtained through formal training, work experience and life experience.  RPL processes are available to all potential applicants and will be conducted in a manner fair to all parties involved.  Through these processes we will determine whether a person has already developed any of the skills and knowledge which would normally be acquired in a program of training.  This allows the candidate to gain qualifications without the duplication of training and assessment.

Applicants for ADAS diver training who can demonstrate comprehensive relevant theoretical knowledge and occupational diving experience gained in on-the-job situations and who have formal logbook evidence of such experience may claim up to a maximum of two weeks’ credit towards the standard training programs.

This maximum period of credit is based on the presumption that divers who have not undertaken formal diving training will not have been exposed to the required standard of training in safety-critical activities.  Such activities include diver and surface emergency procedures, diver rescues and risk assessment, and to the professional standard of teamwork expected of ADAS certified divers.  These aspects cannot be adequately assessed in the limited time and opportunity available by an assessment-only procedure.

Applicants for ADAS non-diver courses who consider they already possess the competencies identified in all or part of any course/qualification offered by ADAS can seek formal Recognition.

Credit Transfer

Credit transfer is a form of RPL and is the acceptance, on an individual basis, of the competencies obtained by a student through previous formal training.

Applicants who have gained nationally recognised units of competency through previous formal training may be eligible to gain credit of those same units if they are contained within an ADAS training and assessment course.

Credit transfer is potentially available for any unit of competency gained within the previous five (5) years of the ADAS training.

Recognition Process

It is the candidate’s responsibility to gather sufficient evidence to support their application for recognition. This evidence may include:

• Obtaining a copy of the relevant units of competency from ADAS.
• Aligning the competencies for the qualification with the competencies associated with previous education, training or workplace experience.
• Collecting any documentation, references and relevant examples to support the application.
• Providing proof of ownership of any examples of work.
• Submitting certified copies of qualifications.

More details relating to RPL/RFT can be found on the Recognition of Prior Learning page of this website.

Fees, Charges and Refunds

The fees payable for each ADAS nationally accredited course are shown in the relevant information package provided by ADAS ATEs.  These fees, unless otherwise specified, are a once-only payment and no further fees will be charged in respects of that course or training program for the issue of qualifications.  Unless other specified, all training and assessment materials are included in the cost.

In general, fees are to be paid before the completion of the course.  If for any reason any monies are owed or outstanding at the end of the course, certification will not be issued until accounts are settled.

Each ADAS ATE has an approved Student Fee Protection system in place which ensures that no student is unduly financially disadvantaged.

Refund Policy

ADAS realises that cancellation or deferment of a course registration is sometimes unavoidable.  Refunds are potentially available for training undertaken at both government and non-government training organisations.

Each ATE is required to have a Fees Refund policy in place and to clearly articulate that policy to candidates during the student induction process.

In relation to government funded courses, refunds will be made in accordance with the requirements and conditions imposed by the government body funding the course.  Any administration fee paid is generally not refundable if a participant withdraws from the course or training program.

Government Funding

While full payment is required before the completion of all ADAS training, some students may be eligible to gain access to stage or federal government funding to assist with all or part of the training costs.  ATEs will provide details of potential government funding options available.

State Funding
Occasionally there are state funding schemes available for ADAS training which is being conducted in that particular state.  Students are encouraged to contact ATEs in each state to determine if there are any funding schemes available at that time.

Centrelink
ADAS has gained approval for its training courses to be funded by Centrelink. This means some students may be eligible to gain Centrelink assistance for the duration of their training, which can be in the form of Austudy, Abstudy, or other related education assistance schemes available.

Note: Any government funding received and payment due are external to ADAS are the responsibility of the student.

Behaviour and Disclipline

All hyperbaric teams, such as dive teams, need to be close-knit as every member knows that he/she is relying on others as well as being relied on in return.  Assessment of competency as an occupational diver/hyperbaric worker includes consideration of a trainee’s ability to function effectively as part of the team.  This includes the trainee’s ability to interact positively with other members of the team and to behave responsibly, appropriately and considerately during all facets of training.

Trainees will be counselled whenever their performance is unsatisfactory or when their behaviour is considered inappropriate.  This includes behaviour which impacts adversely on the safety, performance or functioning of the team.

Counselling may informal or formal, with all formal counselling being recorded.  The outcome of initial counselling may include a caution.

Further behaviour and discipline policy details will be provided by ATEs during the student induction process.

Access & Equity

ADAS will ensure that all participants have equitable access to the training and assessment programs irrespective of their gender, age, race, religion, culture, linguistic background, marital status, location, socio-economic background, disability, sexual preference, family responsibility or political conviction.

ADAS and its staff are committed to ensuring that all training and assessment policies and procedures, including nominations and enrolments into training courses, incorporate access and equity principles.  ADAS ensures that all people involved act in an ethical and responsible manner, ensuring fairness and compliance with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation.

Legislative Requirements

ADAS is committed to meeting all legislative requirements of State and Federal Government.  In particular, Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Relations and Vocational Placement Standards will be met at all times.

In addition to the above, ADAS also ensures that all requirements of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 are met.  This is undertaken through regular self-audits and quality assurance.

> Also see Legislation, Regulations & Standards

Complaints / Grievances and Appeals

The purpose of the ADAS Complaints and Appeals policy is to provide current and prospective students who have a grievance in relation to academic and non-academic matters with a clear process for making their grievance and receiving fair treatment.  The procedures related to this policy may be used by students regardless of which ATE they trained with; or the student’s place of residence.

Non-academic matters may include (but are not limited to) operational, administrative, discrimination and harassment issues.  Examples of these include sexual harassment, racial or sexual discrimination, physical or verbal abuse.

Academic grievances relate to training or assessment issues, for example, disagreements over assessment outcomes.

This policy does not replace or modify policies or any other responsibilities which may arise under other vocational education provider policies or under statute or any other law.  Also the dispute resolution procedures outlined below do not reduce, replace or limit an individual’s right to pursue other legal remedies.

A student who has ceased their enrolment in their studies at ADAS or at an ADAS ATE will be considered under this policy for a period of up to twelve (12) months after their enrolment has ceased.

Procedures

During all stages of the grievance procedure, ADAS will take steps to ensure that the complaintant and respondent will not be victimised or discriminated against.

An explanation in writing for decisions and actions taken at any stage of the process will be provided.

Feedback from students about ADAS courses, trainers, staff and services is encouraged and will not be viewed as a grievance unless specific action is requested.  In some cases, however, students/staff may feel that they have experienced unreasonable treatment, disadvantage or distress which they wish to complain about.

Informal Grievance

Students are encouraged to initially resolve the grievance informally (informal grievance) by:

• Communicating directly with the person concerned to resolve the problem.
• Communicating with management of the ADAS-accredited training establishment where the training is taking place.
• Seeking the assistance of the Executive Director ADAS.

Formal Grievance

If the grievance is not resolved through informal procedures, students may utilise the ADAS grievance procedure.  There is no cost for utilising this grievance process.

The formal grievance procedure begins when a past, current, or prospective student submits to the Executive Director ADAS a  Formal Non-academic Grievance form or a Formal Academic Grievance form.

A written confirmation from the Executive Director ADAS will be sent to the complainant within five (5) working days informing them of receipt of their grievance. The notice will:

• Advise the complainant of the process that will be followed, the timeframes that will be required and the steps the complainant should take for this stage of the particular grievance.
• Advise the complainant of their rights to appeal.

The grievance resolution process will commence within ten (10) working days and all reasonable measures will be taken to finalise the process as soon as practicable.  The Executive Director ADAS (or delegated nominee) will investigate the grievance and interview anyone associated with the grievance to gain a full understanding of the issues in order to make a considered decision.  Both the complainant and/or respondent(s) may be accompanied by a third a party, if desired, during these interviews.

The Executive Director ADAS (or delegated nominee) will provide a written decision to the complainant within 15 working days, outlining the reasons for the decision; the complainant’s right to appeal the decision; and the name and contact details of the person they can appeal to, if they are not satisfied with the decision.

Appeals

If the complainant wishes to appeal the original decision they must do so in writing within 20 working days of being informed of the decision.  The appeal is to be addressed to the Appeals Committee of the ADAS Board and must detail the reasons for the appeal.

If the student chooses to appeal the original decision, the ATE will maintain the student’s enrolment while the appeal process is ongoing.

The Appeals Committee of the ADAS Board, which is senior to and independent from the original decision maker, will acknowledge receipt of the request in writing within 5 days of receiving the complaint.  The complainant will be advised of any likely delays.

The Appeals Committee will convene as soon as possible to review the original decision and interview anyone related to the grievance.  Both the complainant and/or respondent(s) may be accompanied and assisted by a third party if so desired during these interviews.

The decision of the Complaints and Appeals Sub-Committee will be provided to the complainant in writing, outlining the reasons for the decision, within 28 days of receipt of the appeal.

If the original decision is overturned, then the grievance is taken to be proved true and further actions required to address the issues will be identified and implemented.

If the appeal is rejected by the Appeals Committee the complainant will be advised of referral options.  These may include external agencies such as the Anti-discrimination Board or the Office of Fair Trading.  Students currently or previously enrolled in an ADAS accredited course may decide to refer to the matter to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

Continuous Improvement

ADAS reviews its procedures for handling complaints and appeals regularly and improvements are made where necessary.  All formal complaints are reported to the ADAS Board for review as part of ADAS’ continuous improvement process.

Quality Management & Administration

ADAS has policies and management strategies in place to ensure sound financial and administrative practices. Some of the more pertinent polices and strategies are summarised below.

Student Fees

ADAS guarantees the organisation’s sound financial position and safeguards the fees paid by trainees.  Both ADAS and ATEs  have refund policies which are fair and equitable, and each ATE has a form of Student Fee Protection in place.

Insurance

ADAS and individual ATEs have adequate insurance policies in place which include Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Workers Compensation.

Continuous Improvement

ADAS has a strong commitment to providing a quality service with a focus on continuous improvement.  The organisation values feedback from students, tutors, and industry representatives.

Quality Assurance

Under the provisions of the Australian Quality Training Framework, ADAS is required to develop and use quality assurance mechanisms to ensure the assessment of units of competency and qualifications against approved training packages are in line with registration requirements.

ADAS is committed to:

• Providing support to training staff to assist in the delivery of the program and to ensuring that all necessary materials and equipment are available to the trainers and trainees and that all administrative matters are handled efficiently.
• Implementing clearly documented procedures for managing, monitoring and evaluating all training and assessment and for reviewing student/client satisfaction.
• Implementing and refining procedures for selecting and developing trainers and assessors and ensuring that they are kept abreast of best practices in vocational education and training.
• Recording, monitoring and reviewing the assessment process.
• Developing a comprehensive bank of resources for students and assessors.

ADAS seeks formal and informal feedback for quality assurance, performance and standard measures from all staff and students.  This will enhance the quality of services provided, by promoting and establishing a comprehensive team approach between all departments, employees and students of ADAS.

The Executive Director of ADAS is responsible for the overall implementation of the policies detailed in this document, monitoring compliance with the policies and addressing any complaints or suggested improvements.  The effectiveness of these policies will be monitored through self-assessment and internal audit.  Should a breach of any policy be identified, an improvement initiative will be instigated for immediate action.

Marketing

The marketing of ADAS courses will always be carried out with integrity and professionalism and will remain within the guidelines set down by industry and government bodies.  ADAS will take every care to avoid vague and/or ambiguous statements.  In the provision of information, no false or misleading comparisons are drawn with any other training organisation or training product.

Care will be taken to ensure that ADAS will market its services consistently with the educational, cultural and regulatory systems of countries in which it seeks to market and will not detract from the reputation and interests of other Australian institutions.

Written permission will be sought from any facilitators, trainees, clients or other organisation referred to in ADAS marketing or advertising material.

All advertising for ADAS courses, whether delivered by ADAS or ATEs, must first be authorised by the Executive Director, ADAS.

VET Certificates and Statements of Attainment

ADAS will issue Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) testamurs to all trainees who satisfactorily complete the requirements of the accredited qualifications on the ADAS scope of registration with ASQA, and who have completed their training with an ATE which is accredited to issue VET qualifications.

Statements of Attainment will be issued for the successful completion of individual units of competency, while AQF wall certificates will be issued to students who successfully complete all aspects of the qualification.

Certificates and Statements of Attainment will include the ADAS name and RTO code (88104), the name of the person receiving the certificate, the name and code of the accredited qualification, the date issued, and the signature of the Executive Director of ADAS.

Individual competencies completed will be identified by an individually numbered code and title.

ADAS aims to issue Certificates and Statements of Attainment to trainees at graduation or within then (10) working days after receiving evidence of the assessment.  This will be monitored as part of ADAS’ quality assurance audit process.

All certificates and Statements of Attainment comply with the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Please note that not all ADAS ATEs are accredited to issue VET qualifications and the related documentation.  Please contact ADAS if you require further clarification.

Duplicate Certificates

A fee will be charged by ADAS in the event that a candidate requires a copy (either duplicate or replacement) of their VET certificate/Statement of Attainment.  This fee is to cover the costs of reproducing the document and associated handling and administration.

To arrange for the replacement of your AQF Certificate click here 

ADAS Certification

Once students successfully complete the ADAS training and assessment course, they will be issued with an ADAS certification and a personal records file will be created for them on the ADAS database.

Students will also be issued with an ADAS licence which will show their:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Unique ADAS number
• The certification gained
• Certification details (on the back of the card).

Both the ADAS certification and the licence are valid for a set period of time.  This timeframe is five (5) years for most types of certification such as diver, diving supervisor, tunnel worker, and lock operator, but is two (2) years for Diver Medical Technician (DMT) certifications.

ADAS certificate holders are accredited on the basis that they must operate in compliance with relevant legislation and/or standards.  Certification may be suspended or cancelled if they are found to be non-compliant.

ADAS licences are only valid for diving if divers are certified as “medically fit to dive” in accordance with, as a minimum, the requirements of AS/NZS 2299.1 and they are in possession of an Occupational Diving Medical Certificate issued by an approved medical practitioner.  Approved practitioners are those who are:

• Trained and experienced in underwater medicine and accredited by the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS), the UK HSE; or
• Formally trained at an appropriate course of underwater medicine by the Royal Australian Navy or the Royal Adelaide Hospital; or
• Otherwise trained and experienced in underwater medicine and approved by ADAS.

See the ADAS Certification Conditions page on this website for more details about requirements for maintaining certifications.