Orientation
At the start of your programme you will receive a local orientation, to go alongside your predeparture handbook. This orientation will be conducted by our programme coordinator and will cover the following areas:
- Course Outline and Criteria: You will be briefed on what the course requirements are and what is expected of you at the assessment stage of each qualification.
- Byron Bay: An outline of the local amenities, places of interest and what to do in your free time.
- Safety: How to keep safe in the local area and how to ensure everyone’s safety whilst on the programme.
- After course options: Where the centre can help you find work, further training etc.
- Questions/Answers Session: An opportunity for you to ask any further questions.
Accommodation and Meals
All accommodation is included in a hostel-style lodge at the dive centre. For the first two weeks you will stay in an 8-bed Dorm room and then move into 4-bed dorms after that. The lodge has all of the necessary facilities including a kitchen, washrooms, TV room, and BBQ facilities. It is run by the dive centre and accommodates the scuba academy students only. Meals are not included in the programme.
Programme Age Limit
Minimum age 18, maximum decided on potential participant’s health Skills Requirement: See Individual Programmes for details.
Health Requirements and PADI Indemnity Forms
All students looking to participate on this programme are required to have a medical examination at the start of the programme.
This is to ensure that you meet all of the necessary criteria to be able to scuba dive for an extended period and to ensure that any pre-existing conditions (or the medications used to treat them) will not be hazardous whilst diving. We recommend that you consult your doctor in the UK before joining the programme, however, this will not exempt you from the AS4005.1 diving medical that you will have on arrival, as Australian law requires this. The cost of this medical is AUS$60 approximately and is not included in the programme.
In addition to the medical requirements, it is also necessary for you to complete several PADI indemnity forms. This stipulates that you will follow all of the necessary codes of conduct and that you accept the inherent risks of partaking in a scuba diving programme. Failure to complete these forms will prevent you from joining the course.
Project Support
Throughout your stay you will have the support and guidance of your local project coordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. In addition you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
