Start or Further Your Career

Do you want to begin a career in the hyperbaric industry?
Do you want to further your existing career?
You’ve come to the right place!

This page will give you an overview of ADAS and the services provided, along with practical information about how to begin, or further, your hyperbaric industry career.

Topics found on this page include:

What is ADAS?

ADAS stands for the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme, and is the primary provider of hyperbaric industry training and certification, including occupational diver and diving supervisor, in Australia and New Zealand.

ADAS creates training and assessment materials, issues certifications, and provides advice to a number of stakeholders regarding hyperbaric-related matters. Accredited Training Establishments (ATEs) provide training and assessment for the students to gain ADAS certification.

An important thing to remember is that ADAS is NOT a health and safety regulator and has no legislative power.  ADAS is a training and certification organisation only.

Whether you are new to the hyperbaric industry or want to further your career, there will most likely be an ADAS course suitable for you.

Train as an Occupational Diver

If you want to begin a career as an occupational diver and have not completed formal occupational diver training in the past, you may be eligible to complete diver training with an ADAS ATE.

Construction Diving
There are four main levels of ADAS diver certification, called “Parts” which have a focus on construction diving.  The levels include:

  • Part 1: SCUBA to 30m
  • Part 2: SSBA* to 30m
  • Part 3: SSBA* to 50m
  • Part 4: Closed Bell

(*SSBA stands for Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus)

Each level of training builds on the previous one which means that Part 1 must be completed first, then Part 2 before Part 3.  Each Part runs for four (4) weeks face-to-face at an ADAS ATE, and can be completed one at a time or in blocks with more than one Part combined into a longer course.

People who wish to complete Part 4 training must meet experience prerequisites before enrolling in the course, therefore this training is not suitable for someone first entering the diving industry.

Non-Construction Diving
ADAS also offers diver training for other sectors in the industry, including:

  • Aquarium diver
  • Aquaculture diver
  • Scientific diver (also known as Part 1 Restricted)

These courses usually run for two (2) to four (4) weeks and provide training in skills and knowledge catered to each specific industry.

You can find more information about each ADAS diver course on the Diver Training Courses page.

Train as a Diving Supervisor

ADAS provides certification for both onshore and offshore diving supervisors.  It’s important to note that onshore supervisors are quite different to offshore supervisors, primarily due to different legislative frameworks, and people who hold one type of certification are not automatically able to supervise at the other.

Onshore Diving Supervisor
If you hold an ADAS diver certification, or approved international equivalent, you may be eligible to enrol into an ADAS onshore diving supervisor course.

People who want to become ADAS onshore diving supervisors, must provide evidence of working as an occupational diver building up a set amount of time and experience.  They must also be supported by an employer.  Onshore diving supervisor courses are conducted face-to-face at ADAS ATEs and usually run for two (2) weeks.

More information about each level of onshore diving supervisor training can be found on the Supervisor Training Courses page.

Offshore Diving Supervisor
If you are interested in gaining an ADAS Offshore Diving Supervisor certification, you may be eligible to complete the whole process with ADAS.  You can begin by completing a Trainee Offshore Supervisor course with an ADAS school before building up your experience as a trainee supervisor working with an offshore contractor.  Once you have gained the required experience, you can then apply to ADAS to gain a full Offshore Supervisor qualification.

More information about the Offshore Supervisor process can be found on the Offshore Supervisor Certification page.

ADAS Accredited Training Establishments (ATEs)

Once you have decided which ADAS training course you want to complete, you then need to contact an ADAS Accredited Training Establishment (ATE) for enrolment information, including the training schedule/s and course fees.

Not all ATEs are accredited to deliver all ADAS courses.  It’s important for you to determine which ATE is the most suitable for your chosen career pathway.  You can find this information on the Training Courses page of the ADAS website after you select the course you’re interested in.

You can find more information about each ATE, including their location and website links, on the Training Schools page.

Training Prerequisites

Each ADAS course has prerequisites which students must meet.  The general prerequisites common to most courses include:

  • Recreational diver certificate and experience
  • Current occupational diver medical (issued in the last 12 months) – not required for onshore supervisor students
  • Current First Aid certification (issued in the last 3 years)
  • Current CPR and Oxygen administration certifications (issued in the last 12 months)
  • Ability to understand written and verbal English (unless completing a Non-English Language course)
  • Ability to understand and use mathematics relevant to diving (add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals and vulgar fractions; calculate percentages; and transpose and solve simple formulas)

Additional prerequisites for each course is shown on the Training Courses page of the ADAS website.

First Aid Requirements

Most ADAS courses require students to hold current First Aid certifications before they can enrol.  The requirement for these certifications is in line with the AS/NZS 2299.1 Standard which states that as a minimum, applicants must have:

  • Current First Aid qualification (3 yearly recertification)
  • Current CPR qualification (12 monthly recertification or demonstration)
  • Current Oxygen Administration qualification (12 monthly recertification or demonstration)

More information about First Aid, including approved First Aid courses, can be found on the First Aid page.

Diver Medicals

Most ADAS courses require students to hold current occupational diver medicals before they enrol.  Occupational medicals must be conducted in line with the requirements of AS/NZS 2299.1, and must be carried out by a doctor specifically trained in underwater medicine.

More information about occupational medicals can be found on the Medical Fitness page.

International Students

Non-Australian residents who want to attend an Australian-based ATE, must ensure they hold the correct visas and documentation to be allowed to study in Australia.

ADAS does not provide this information due to there being such a wide range of options available.  Because of this, it’s important that you contact the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs to find out what documentation you need.

Other Types of ADAS Certification

In addition to occupational diving and diving supervision, ADAS provides training and certification for other sectors of the hyperbaric industry.  These include:

  • Chamber Operator
  • Clinical Chamber Operator
  • Remotely Operated Vehicle
  • Tunnelling – Tunnel Worker
  • Tunnelling – Lock Operator
  • Assistant Life Support Technician
  • Diver Medical Technician
  • First Aid

More details about each of these courses, including prerequisites and which ATEs conduct each course, can be found on the Training Courses page.

Training Fees

The cost of each course is determined by the ADAS schools themselves, rather than by ADAS.  Because of this, it’s best for you to contact the schools or check their websites to find information about course costs.

Financial Assistance

If you are an Australian resident, you may be eligible to apply for financial assistance from Centrelink.  All ADAS courses are approved for assistance with Centrelink.  You can find out more on the Centrelink page.

Individual ADAS schools may also offer payment plans or options, and can give you relevant information when you contact them.

Please note that ADAS has no involvement in student funding or agreements.

Contact ADAS

If you have any questions and would like further guidance, please contact ADAS for assistance.

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