Diving

Scuba diving for research in Australia is classified as occupational diving and has minimum qualifications.

UQ has implemented 5 diver categories. All diver categories comply with General Diving Work, as defined by the Queensland Work Health and Safety Regulation.​ ​

The 5 diver categories include:

• Scientific Diver (Unrestricted)
• Scientific Diver (Restricted)
• Incidental Diver
• Visiting Scientific Diver
• Limited Scientific Diver​​

A person may apply to be registered as one (or more) of the diver categories if they have documented evidence of the required certifications and experience for each category.

To apply to be registered as a diver at UQ, a person must submit a UQ Diver Registration form to a UQ Diving Officer. The diver must also satisfy an In-Water diver competency assessment.

Scientific Diver (Unrestricted)​

A person may apply to be registered as a Scientific Diver (Unrestricted) if they have documented evidence of at least 15 hours of diving work that is relevant to the proposed underwater tasks to be performed and hold one (or more) of the following qualifications:

• a Statement of Attainment issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), that is relevant to the diving work to be carried out by the person. Examples include:
  • Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) Occupational Diver
  • Perform Diver Rescues (course code: SISOSCB006)
  • Perform Restricted Diving for Scientific Purposes, aka Scientific Diver (course code: AHCLPW307)​
• A certificate for diving, issued by a recognised diver-training organisation (e.g. PADI, SSI etc.), that mentions the subject areas covered in either:
  • ISO 24801-3 Dive leader (e.g. Dive Master)
  • ISO 24802 series (e.g. Dive Instructor)

Scientific Diver (Restricted)​

A person may apply to be registered as a Scientific Diver (Restricted) if they hold one (or more) of the qualifications listed as per the requirements for a Scientific Diver (Unrestricted), but do not yet have documented evidence of at least 15 hours of diving work that is relevant to the proposed underwater tasks to be performed.​

A Restricted Scientific Diver shall:

• be supervised by a Scientific Diver who is authorised by an UQ Diving Officer to supervise Restricted Scientific Divers
• not dive deeper than 18 metres depth
• only dive when conditions are suitable for untethered SCUBA mode
• not act as a dive coordinator or a dive leader
• not use powered tools or lift bags
• be at least 18 years of age
• have at least 15 hours of underwater diving experience after certification
• not dive as a restricted diver other than for a single initial period of up to 12 months​

Incidental Diver​

A person wishing to undertake diving work that is incidental to the conduct of their usual business or undertakings* may apply to be registered as an Incidental Diver. ​

*This means the person does not usually perform diving work and proposes to undertake diving work on a 'one-off' basis.

An Incidental Diver must:

• hold a diver certification compliant with the requirements detailed within ISO 24801.2 (Open Water Diver) issued by a recognised diver training organisation
• have verified relevant experience of at least 15 hours of non-training logged diving activity

An Incidental Diver must be accompanied and supervised by a Scientific Diver who is authorised by a UQ Dive Officer to supervise Incidental Scientific Divers.

An Incidental Diver will:

• not dive deeper than 18 metres depth
• only dive when conditions are suitable for untethered SCUBA mode
• not act as a dive coordinator or a dive leader
• not use powered tools or lift bags
• be at least 18 years of age

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Visiting Scientific Diver

A person who is not a permanent resident in Australia and wishes to undertake scientific diving works under the auspices of their ‘home’ organisation, may apply to be registered as a Visiting Scientific Diver.

A Visiting Scientific Diver applicant will:

• not be a resident in Australia
• provide a letter from the diver's employer verifying competency as a Scientific Diver to at least the level required in the diver's current country of residence
• hold, as a minimum, a diver certification compliant with the requirements detailed within ISO 24801.2 (Open Water Diver), issued by a recognised diver training organisation
• have verified relevant experience of at least 60 hours of scientific diving, using the breathing apparatus to be used, of which 500 minutes were spent within 10 metres of the working depth, or deeper.

Limited Scientific Diver

A person who is not a permanent resident in Australia, and is not a Visiting Scientific Diver, may apply to be registered as a Limited Scientific Diver.

A Limited Scientific Diver applicant must hold the following qualifications:

• Rescue Diver certification (or equivalent) from a recognised diver training organisation
• verified relevant experience of at least 60 hours of diving using the breathing apparatus to be used of which 500 minutes were spent within 10 metres of the proposed working depth or deeper

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Using your own equipment?

If you're using your own dive equipment on a UQ dive, you must provide us with:

• service records for your BCD and regulators (as per manufacturer’s recommendations – typically a minimum of a yearly inspection)
• proof that your depth and pressure gauge accuracy has been tested in the past 6 months