skip to Main Content

International Equivalents

Please read the ADAS Mutual Recognition table before completing a crossover application.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • If you wish to gain an ADAS Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus (SSBA) certification (ie: Part 2 or Part 3), you MUST also have been trained and assessed as being competent in SCUBA to 30m.
  • ADAS currently only accepts South African qualifications gained prior to 30th June 2010.

ADAS currently has agreements in place with numerous international diving bodies allowing ADAS certificate holders to work overseas, and for international certificate holders to gain employment in Australia.

Certifications issued by countries belonging to the International Diving Regulators and Certification Forum (IDRCF) are recognised by ADAS, including those from:

ADAS also recognises diver certifications issued by The Netherlands (NDCCI / Hobeon), and Offshore Supervisor certifications issued by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).

Divers and supervisors who hold valid certifications from one of the issuing bodies above may be eligible to ‘crossover’ to gain an ADAS certification. The crossover process involves submitting a ‘crossover application form’ to ADAS and providing all required documentation. Details of the crossover process are shown below.

Not all certifications issued by the above organisations are automatically accepted by ADAS. Some certifications may require additional information to be provided upon crossover application to ADAS. Please read the ADAS Mutual Recognition Policy to find out more about mutual recognition, and to determine if your certification is one which needs more information.

The ADAS Mutual Recognition table provides a list of mutually recognised qualifications. These are certifications issued by the countries listed above and are eligible for the crossover process.

Closed Bell Crossover Applications
ADAS reserves the right to undertake logbook checks on Part 4 (Closed Bell) applications to ensure that the training received is compliant with the IDRCF Standards, which includes the following requirements:

  • 29 bell lockouts as a diver including one to 55 metres, one to 70 metres and one deeper than 80 metres.
  • Act as a diver from a storage depth deeper than 50 metres on two bell runs. The lockout for these bell runs should be at least 15 minutes for each dive on each occasion.
  • 29 bell lockouts acting as a bell-man (standby diver).
  • 14 complete bell runs including transfer under pressure.
  • Decompression from a living depth deeper than 50 metres.

Applicants who cannot show evidence of having completed the above will be required to demonstrate competency in the missing components. This can be achieved via a top-up training program, an RPL process or other evidence as approved by the ADAS. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by ADAS.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Qualifications

People who gain an ADAS certification via the crossover process will NOT be assessed to gain an Australian VET qualification (eg: Certificate IV or Diploma) as part of the crossover process.  Those applicants wishing to be considered for VET qualification should contact ADAS and receive further information about having their past experience recognised through a Recognition of Prior Learning process which can be conducted by an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

If you need to gain an Australian Certificate IV or Diploma for immigration purposes, please contact ADAS to discuss the best options available to you.

Non-IDRCF Training

If your commercial diving ticket is not from one of the countries listed above, you may still be able to gain an ADAS certification by undertaking further training with an ADAS training establishment.

Because you have already trained as a commercial diver, you may not have to do a full course, rather you may be able to do a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Formal Training (RFT) training and assessment course which is shorter than a full course.  Both these courses will take your previous training and experience into consideration.

Please see the Recognition of Prior Learning page for more information about RPL and RFT training.

Offshore Supervisor Qualifications

If you hold a valid Offshore Supervisor qualification issued by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), you may be eligible to apply for an ADAS Offshore Supervisor certification via the crossover process.  This is available for both Offshore Air, and Offshore Air & Bell Supervisors.

Please be aware that all crossover applicants will have to sit an Australian Legislation exam before an offshore supervisor certification is issued. Details will be provided by ADAS to each applicant.

Offshore supervisor applicants may also be eligible to apply for an ADAS onshore supervisor certification in conjunction with the offshore supervisor application.  This process involves applicants sitting the ADAS onshore supervisor exam online – more details will be provided directly to applicants on a case-by-case basis.

Details about the crossover process can be found on the crossover application information page.

Diver Medical Technician (DMT) Qualfications

If you hold a Diver Medical Technician qualification issued by an IDRCF member or IMCA, you may be eligible to gain an ADAS DMT certification via the crossover process.  This is available for both ADAS Offshore DMT, and ADAS Onshore DMT certifications.

Details about the crossover process can be found on the crossover application information page.

Military Equivalents

ADAS also accepts crossover applications from Australian and New Zealand military organisations including:

  • Royal Australian Navy
  • Australian Army
  • Royal New Zealand Navy

Not all military certifications are automatically accepted by ADAS.  Please read the ADAS Mutual Recognition table to ensure your qualification is accepted by ADAS.

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to a change in ADAS policy, the crossover process for Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Australian Army applicants has been modified.

Royal Australian Navy Applicants

The current crossover process continues to be available for RAN applicants whose certification was issued before 1st March 2012.  RAN members who trained after this date will be eligible to apply for an ADAS certification through the Recognition of Formal Training (RFT) process through an ADAS Accredited Training Establishment (ATE).

Australian Army Applicants

The current crossover process continues to be available for Australian Army applicants whose certification was issued before 1st August 2017.  Army personnel who trained after this date will be eligible to apply for an ADAS certification through the Recognition of Formal Training (RFT) process through an ADAS Accredited Training Establishment (ATE).

Read below for more information about the crossover process, or contact an ADAS ATE for more information if your RAN or Army certification was issued after the dates shown above.

ADAS “Parts” Explained

The ADAS terminology for different certification levels is similar to that used by international diving organisations.  There may some small differences and the table below has been developed to help you determine which ADAS certification level suits you best.

Please note: If you wish to gain an ADAS Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus (SSBA) certification (ie: Part 2 or Part 3) certification, you MUST also have been trained and assessed as being competent in SCUBA to 30m.

ADAS PartExplanation
Part 1R / ScientificRestricted SCUBA to 30m
Part 1SCUBA to 30m
Part 2RRestricted SSBA to 30m
Part 2SSBA to 30m
Part 3RRestricted SSBA to 50m
Part 3SSBA to 50m
Part 4Closed Bell
Onshore Supervisor Part 1SCUBA to 30m supervisor
Onshore Supervisor Part 2SSBA to 30m supervisor
Onshore Supervisor Part 3SSBA to 50m supervisor
Offshore Air SupervisorAir Diving Supervisor
Offshore Air & Bell SupervisorBell Diving Supervisor

Crossover Process

In order to crossover to ADAS using an international or military certification please complete the online application form.

Along with the form, also submit:

  • a copy of your international or military certification
  • proof of competency evidence
  • a completed ‘Workbook of Understanding’ – not relevant for Offshore Crossover applications
  • a copy of your current medical fitness certification (for diver applications only)
  • a copy of your passport
  • a colour photo – taken within the last twelse (12) months
  • your payment method – see fee structure

Once your application form arrives at the ADAS office, the issuing body is contacted for verification of the original certificate. As soon as the original certificate is confirmed the application is processed.

Offshore supervisor applicants also have to undergo an additional Australian Legislation exam. The processing officer will contact you about this exam once verification of the original certification is received.  Offshore supervisor applicants who wish to apply for an ADAS onshore supervisor certification will also be provided further detail about the onshore exam once the processing of the application has begun.

If everything is in order and there are no processing issues, the application is usually processed within 10 working days.

Please contact ADAS if you have any questions about international or military equivalents, or the crossover process in general.

Back To Top