Getting Started

Becoming a commercial diver is a big step in anyone's life! Knowing what the industry is like and what your chances of employment are at the end of your course are important factors in determining whether you undertake the necessary training to become an occupational diver.

Commercial or occupational diving is defined as diving performed in the course of employment, irrespective of whether diving is the principle function of employment or merely an adjunct to it. Commercial diving comprises all diving carried out as part of a business, a service, for research, or for profit.

Types of commercial diving include fish farming, abalone and pearl diving, scientific diving, commercial construction diving and recreational diving instruction. For information on the legislative requirements for commercial diving click here.

For information on employment opportunities as a commercial diver click here.

The Underwater Centre can help you gain employment. To find out what we can do to assist you to find employment click here.

Finally, what you may get paid will also assist you to make the decision to become a diver. To find out some base rates for diver's pay click here.

 Employment

As in all commercial ventures, gaining employment depends to a large extent on the individual's ability to attract a prospective employer's interest through the skill and experience he or she has to offer, plus their adaptability and availability to carry out the job, particularly at short notice. Maintaining employment depends upon proving these attributes and becoming a dependable member of the dive team with a professional attitude to all aspects of the job.

Employment as an occupational diver is, by and large, on a casual contract basis. Availability of contracts is dependent on the onshore (or civil) and offshore construction or maintenance work available for a given period. Currently, work for ADAS certified divers is available, though it must be stressed that this is at the moment. Seasonal variations, offshore construction tasks and acts of God (cyclones!) do influence the availability (or otherwise) of work. Additionally, work in the construction industry is very much dependent upon a diver’s ability to do a "task" underwater. Divers with trade or practical work backgrounds will gain employment more readily than those without, having already demonstrated the type of skills needed for the sub-surface work being undertaken.

Employment within the recreational diving industry is seasonal, with good job prospects available in summer. Employment in scientific disciplines and aquaculture industries depends on the skills and/or tertiary qualifications you bring to those jobs.

 Help with Employment

The Underwater Centre Fremantle is the only ADAS diver training establishment in WA and we have attained a worldwide reputation for our standard of training.

We are constantly monitoring the employment situation and will help new graduates wherever we can to find work. Students can be provided with

•  An up-to-date list of diving companies to whom you may apply on a more personal     level.

•  Assistance to compile or update your own personal CV to further increase your     chances of success in the job market. We maintain your CV on our database and will     continue to upgrade copies for you for life. Once you start your career with TUCF our     commitment is ongoing.

•  The maintenance of your personal contact details on our database. Diving contractors     looking for potential employees regularly approach The Underwater Centre Fremantle.     Your details can be passed on to these contractors if you are looking for work.

 Income

Pay and conditions for the employment of divers in Australia is covered by the "Professional Divers' - Maritime Union of Australia Award 1992". Onshore casual pay rates start at around AUD$250.00 per day plus allowances. Offshore rates and allowances are considerably higher than this at almost AUD$1,300.00 per day. Work overseas is generally paid under individual contracts negotiated with employers. Daily pay rates start around US$500.00.