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Diving Legislation

Current Regulations

Australian Standard AS/NZS2299.1:1999 and the Petroleum Sub-merged Lands Acts (Part VIII Diving) make it mandatory that all working divers be qualified to the appropriate standard for the type of diving operations which they will be undertaking.

Workplace health and safety legislation throughout Australia places a duty of care on employers and employees to maintain safe places of work. Regardless of the type of diving undertaken, occupational divers must be able demonstrate their diving competency as a start point to the development of a safe workplace. This has been achieved via a standardized, competency based, occupational diver training and certification program.

Australian Standard AS2815 Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 detail the specifics of the training required for the various types of occupational diving, except recreational diving instruction which is covered by AS4005. The Commonwealth Government’s Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) was developed to administer diver certification in accordance with AS2815 and to supervise the accreditation and operations of diver training establishments.

Background Overview

Corporate Structure

Diving Legislation

Staff at TUCF

ADAS Level	Description	Area
AS2815 Part 1	Occupational Scuba Diving to 30 metres	Onshore
AS2815 Part 2	Air Diving to 30 metres (Surface Supplied)	Onshore
AS2815 Part 3	Air Diving to 50 metres (Surface Supplied)	Offshore
AS2815 Part 4	Bell Diving (Saturation and Mixed Gas)	Offshore

Click here for more information on each of the diving qualifications outlined above.

The Underwater Centre is an accredited ADAS Diver Training Establishment (Certification Number 008) and was last audited by the Commonwealth in May 2002.

To work as a commercial construction diver (onshore or what is sometimes referred to as "Civils") the minimum qualifications required are ADAS Part 1 & 2 (AS2815.1 & 2). To work as a commercial construction diver (offshore) the qualifications required are ADAS Part 1, 2 & 3 (AS2815.1, 2 & 3).

Work in the aquaculture industries (fish farming) and scientific diving communities generally require as a minimum ADAS Part 1. Though in some circumstances ADAS Part 2 (Restricted) certification may be required.

All ADAS qualifications are recognised by the UK Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE). [Notification 1 April 1998]