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Conditions of ADAS Diver Accreditation

ADAS diver accreditation is awarded to divers who demonstrate that they meet the competencies detailed in the ADAS Competence Standard.ADAS accreditation brings with it a number of responsibilities. The following provisions are based on the recognition that ADAS accreditation is conditional upon the accredited person operating safely and sensibly within the law at all times, or where there is no specific legislation, in compliance with recognised standards and/or codes of practice. These measures are designed to ensure that the present high level of professional standing of ADAS and ADAS divers is maintained.

Basis of Accreditation

ADAS divers are accredited on the basis that they must operate in compliance with relevant legislation and /or standards. Accreditation may be suspended or cancelled if divers are proved to be operating unsafely or illegally.

ADAS Certificates of Competency are only valid for diving if divers are certified “medically fit to dive” in accordance with AS/NZS 2299.1 (1999) or approved international equivalent and are in possession of an Occupational Diving Medical Certificate issued by a medical practitioner trained in underwater medicine by an organisation acceptable to ADAS. This condition does not apply to ADAS accreditation for Diving Supervisors, Life Support Technicians, etc, when those persons are not required to dive.

Accreditation is for five years from date of issue.

Accreditation will be renewed on the basis of the diver certifying that he/she has retained their diving competency over the previous period of accreditation.

Renewing divers must be able to establish on request by ADAS (eg, by log book and/or similar evidence demonstrating current practice in diving and/or other relevant activities) how the relevant skills and knowledge identified by ADAS in the relevant ADAS Diver Competence standard have been maintained.  ADAS will conduct random audits of renewing divers requiring such verification.

An inability to satisfactorily certify and/or demonstrate such competency will result in the diver being required to undertake an approved form of currency updating or, failing this, to surrender his/her Certificate of Competency (see below).

Suspension or Cancellation of a Diver’s Certificate of Competency

ADAS may suspend or cancel a diver’s Certificate of Competency if it is satisfied that the holder of the certificate:

a) obtained the certificate on the basis of false or misleading information or a failure to disclose or provide required information;

b) has operated in a manner which endangers the health or safety of the holder or any other person.is no longer capable of performing to the level of competency specified by the certificate;

c) has failed to operate in compliance with relevant legislation, Codes and /or standards;

d) is no longer capable of performing to the level of competency specified by the certificate.

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Appeal against Suspension or Cancellation of Certificate of Competency

Before suspending or cancelling a Certificate of Competency, ADAS will:

• notify the holder of the certificate in writing by registered mail, to the last known address of the accredited diver, of the proposed suspension or cancellation; and
• give the holder of the Certificate 14 days, from the time of service by registered mail to the last known address of the accredited diver, to make representations in writing to ADAS in relation to the proposed suspension or cancellation; and
• through the ADAS Appeal Board, take reasonable regard of the representations made by the holder of the Certificate [the ADAS Appeals Board is composed of representatives of the relevant diving industry and union, the State/Territory regulators and the Commonwealth government (excluding representatives of a diving regulator involved in the matter in question)].

Appellants who are unsuccessful may further apply to the Commonwealth Ombudsman or to the Federal Court for a hearing of the matter.

Notification of Suspension or Cancellation of Certificate of Competency

If, after having regard to any representations made by the holder of the Certificate, ADAS decides to proceed with the proposed suspension or cancellation, ADAS will inform the holder of the Certificate in writing by registered mail to the last known address of the accredited diver:

• stating that the Certificate is suspended or cancelled; and
• in the case of a suspension, stating the period for which the Certificate is suspended; and
• giving the reasons for the suspension or cancellation.

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Date of Effect of Suspension or Cancellation of Certificate of Competency

The suspension or cancellation takes effect on the date on which notice of the suspension or cancellation is served on the holder of the Certificate by registered mail at their last known address, or on any other later date which is specified in the notice.

Notify Others of Suspension or Cancellation of Certificate of Competency

ADAS may inform others (the diver’s employer, other contractors, State/Territory regulators, etc) of certificates that are cancelled or suspended.

Surrender of Cancelled Certificates of Competency

The holder of an ADAS Certificate of Competency that is cancelled must return the Certificate to ADAS within the period specified in the notice of cancellation.

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