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ADAS, in cooperation with representatives of the South Australian and NSW Workcover Authorities, has developed a Diving Supervisor training and assessment scheme which will meet the needs of the onshore diving industry and the requirements of state and territory diving regulators. 

In developing the scheme, ADAS has been mindful of the State and Territory OH&S legislative provisions, in particular the requirements that employers must provide employees with supervision to ensure their health and safety, and ensure that such supervision is undertaken by a competent person.

In the past, establishing the competency of diving supervisors has been difficult for employers, and there has been no means for Diving Supervisors to demonstrate their competency to an employer.  There has been no formal training assessment or certificate of competency available for diving supervisors.  ADAS has moved to meet this need by providing specific competence training and assessment for diving supervisors. 

The training and assessment addresses the following areas of competence:

• diving physics and physiology and associated safety issues 
• diving illnesses and medical emergencies   
• effective communication as a dive supervisor  
• implementation and monitoring of occupational health and safety programs  
• legislation and guidance    
• supervising dive teams   
• dive equipment and procedures   
• planning dive operations    
• conducting dive operations   
• using power tools and explosives in a dive operation (Part 2 and 3 only)  
• operating compression chamber in a remote location (Part 3 only) 
• wet bell diving and emergency procedures (Part 3 only)
  

Applicants to undertake Supervisor training and assessment must be experienced ADAS divers  but a current diving medical certificate is not required.

Although a grandfather clause is now closed, divers will have two alternate avenues to achieve the Diving Supervisor qualification.  These are through:

• recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)  
• training and assessment

Recognition of Prior Learning

Divers who believe that they are competent, may apply to a Diver Training Establishment to undertake a Recognition of Prior Learning assessment.  This will entail a comprehensive theory and practical competence assessment to a prescribed format.

Training and Assessment Course

Alternatively, divers may apply to undertake a formal ADAS Diving Supervisor Training and Assessment course at an ADAS accredited Diver Training Establishment.  Applicants for such training and assessment course must have logged a minimum of 100 hours of underwater experience at the same level.  This prerequisite is intended to fulfil the requirement under AS/NZ 2299.1 that a diving supervisor be experienced in relevant diving techniques, equipment and work procedures.

VET Qualification

Accreditation as an ADAS Diving Supervisor is also recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, and a VET Certificate IV will be issued together with the ADAS Certificate of Competency.

ADAS Certificate of Competency

ADAS will issue successful applicants with a Certificate of Competency as a diving supervisor which is aligned with the existing ADAS diver accreditation framework (i.e. Diving Supervisor Part 1, 2 or 3) and for the same 5 year period of accreditation.

At the end of 5 years, diving supervisors will need to demonstrate to ADAS that they are still active in the diving industry as a diving supervisor and have maintained their knowledge and skills.

In recognition of the special status awarded to diving supervisors under legislation, a specific ADAS card will be issued to Diving Supervisors.

ADAS/IMCA Offshore Supervisors

ADAS Part 4 diving is covered under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands)(Diving Safety) Regulations 2002.  Offshore diving supervisors who are IMCA-qualified will be automatically issued ADAS accreditation on request and on completion of a self-learning Australian legislation package.

Discussion Paper - Supervisor Accreditation (PDF 108 K)

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