Occupational diver competency
An occupational diver must provide appropriate proof of competency before performing diving work. For the purposes of 'proof of competencies' occupational diving has two categories:-
Construction diving
A competent person for construction diving must hold an Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (non-Queensland Government link) (ADAS) Diving Certificate which is relevant to the work being carried out
Other occupational diving
These competency requirements are relevant to occupational dive workers in areas including:
- Marine harvesting
- Scientific research
- Resource management
- Photographic and media work
A competent person for other underwater diving work must hold any of the following:
- an ADAS Certificate relevant to the work being carried out
- a AQF Statement of Attainment from a registered training organisation (RTO) that is relevant to the work being carried out
- a AQF Statement of Attainment from an RTO for performing diver rescues and through training, qualifications or experience, the person has gained knowledge and skills in the elements of competency and performance criteria in AS2815 Training and certification of occupational divers Parts 1-4 relevant to the work being done
- a certificate from a recreational scuba training organisation proving that the person has successfully completed training in the areas mentioned in AS 4005.2 Training and certification of recreational divers - Recreational SCUBA dive supervisor (non-Queensland Government link) and through training, qualifications or experience, the person has gained knowledge and skills in the elements of competency and performance criteria in AS2815 Parts 1-4 (relevant to the work being done)
- at least 15 hours’ experience in underwater diving and training, qualifications or experience that show that the person has the knowledge and skills to do the work in a safe way (including knowledge of physics, equipment, decompression, communications, work systems, inspection and maintenance, physiology, first aid, legislation and standards)
Note: This option is limited to a person who will do no more than 28 days diving in a period of six months and who is to be personally supervised in the water - at least 15 hours’ experience doing the same type of underwater diving work that is to be carried out and training, qualifications or experience that show that the person has the knowledge and skills to do the work in a safe way (including knowledge of physics, equipment, decompression, communications, work systems, inspection and maintenance, physiology, first aid, legislation and standards)
On 31 October 2008, option 6 for proof of competency in occupational diving work will expire and only five options will be recognised. All divers who currently rely on the expiring competency option will need to move to one of the other five proof of competency options by 31 October 2008.
The employer, self-employed person or person conducting a business or undertaking can accept any of the following as proof of a person’s competency:
- certificates
- certification cards
- dive safety logs
- diver’s log books
- statutory declarations
Keep the proof of competency for one year after the work is completed.
For more information, read sections 81 to 86AA of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008. They define different ways in which competency must be demonstrated and explain how to undertake the risk assessment process.
View the example of 'proof of competence' for the occupational dive industry (PDF, 162 KB).
Last updated 21 August 2008