Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies to become a scuba diving instructor, your PADI IDC in Sydney will only need one week away from work.

The PADI Scuba Diving Instructor Course (IDC)

Abyss Scuba Diving is one of five PADI Five Star Career Development Centers in Australia. The CDC classification is assigned to PADI Five Star Instructor Development Centres that dedicate their organization to the professional development of diving instructors.

Availability: Contact us for booking information

Description
Additional Information

Abyss Diving is proud to have three PADI Course Directors on staff, including a female Course Director and a Chinese-speaking Course Director. While most PADI 5-Star IDCs typically employ only one Course Director, we believe our team-based approach to PADI Diving Instructor training offers a more enriching and effective experience. By learning from a diverse team with varying expertise, teaching styles, and personalities, candidates gain a well-rounded education during their IDC.

Many PADI Instructor Courses require candidates to dedicate at least two weeks to prepare for the PADI Instructor Exam, which can be challenging for those with work commitments. Abyss Scuba Diving in Sydney has redefined this process by offering an IDC that requires just one week away from work to become a certified PADI Diving Instructor.

Why Choose Abyss Diving?

Three full-time PADI Course Directors for comprehensive guidance
Recognised as Australia’s leading PADI Career Development Dive Centre
Additional tuition is available for candidates needing extra support
Sydney’s largest employer of Diving Instructors
Includes PADI Dive Against Debris Instructor Training in your IDC
Learn at Sydney’s biggest PADI dive shop

Join us in Sydney and take the first step toward an exciting career as a PADI Diving Instructor with world-class training and unmatched support.

After the successful completion of your IDC with Abyss Scuba Diving and then passing PADI Instructors Exam, you will be qualified to teach:

PADI Discover Scuba Diving
PADI Scuba Diver Course
PADI Open Water Course
PADI Adventures in Diving Course
PADI Advanced Open Water Course
PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course
PADI Rescue Diver Course
PADI Divemaster Course
EFR Emergency First Response
Project AWARE Specialty
AWARE Coral Reef Conservation specialty
PADI Bubblemaker and Seal Team

The Cost of Becoming a PADI Diving Instructor - $3495 Plus PADI Fees

To become a PADI Diving Instructor, you must complete both the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) and the Emergency First Aid Instructor certification. When evaluating any IDC program, it’s essential to consider the full cost of becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, accounting for all associated expenses.

PADI IDC & EFRI

REQUIRED PADI MATERIAL

PADI FEES - IDC + IE + EFRI
$1,734.90 (Paid to PADI at the IE)

What You Learn in PADI Dive Instructor Courses

During the course, you’ll master the PADI System of Education by delivering:

Two confined water teaching presentations
Two knowledge development presentations
One open-water teaching presentation that integrates two skills

The IDC prepares you to teach all PADI core courses, covering key topics such as:

PADI Standards and Procedures for courses, including hands-on water workshops
Learning techniques, instructional strategies, and the PADI System of Education
Risk management and diver safety protocols
The business aspects of diving and your role as an instructor
Marketing diving and effective sales counselling

You’ll also demonstrate proficiency in:

Performing all 20 dive skills included in the Skill Evaluation
Completing a 400-metre nonstop swim and a 10-minute treading water exercise

Additionally, you’ll need to showcase your understanding of dive theory by passing a five-part exam, achieving at least a 75% score on each section.

Required Scuba Gear

To complete the course, you must have standard scuba diving equipment, along with two signalling devices—one audible and one visual.

Prerequisites

To qualify for training as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you must meet the following requirements:

Hold certification as a PADI Divemaster, PADI Assistant Instructor, or be an instructor in good standing with another recognized training organization for at least six months. (If you're unsure whether your credentials meet the requirements, consult a PADI Course Director or contact us for guidance.)
Be a certified Emergency First Response Instructor.
Be at least 18 years old.
Have been a certified diver for a minimum of six months.
Log at least 60 dives, including experience in night, deep, and navigation diving, to participate in the Instructor Development Course. To take the Instructor Exam, you’ll need a total of 100 logged dives.
Provide proof of CPR and First Aid training completed within the last 24 months. (The Emergency First Response course fulfils this requirement.)
Be physically fit for diving and submit a Medical Statement (PDF) signed by a physician within the past 12 months.

By meeting these criteria, you’ll be ready to embark on the rewarding journey of becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

PADI Instructor Development Course (7 Days)

Sydney is the perfect destination to kickstart your journey toward becoming a certified PADI Instructor. With our state-of-the-art training facility and a team of highly experienced IDC Staff, we offer industry-leading instruction designed to prepare you for the real-world demands of the diving industry. Our hands-on, practical training approach ensures you develop into a confident and skilled instructor.

Our Instructor Development Course (IDC) team brings over 20 years of expertise in diver education. They’ve pioneered innovative training methods and created specialized workshops tailored to help you succeed on the PADI Instructor Examination and beyond.

What’s Included in Your Instructor Program:

FREE scuba tank hire and air fills throughout your training.
FREE exclusive workshops focusing on rescue techniques and core diving skills.
Job placement assistance and career counseling, both during and after the program.
Access to the largest PADI professional support team in the state.
Guidance from three full-time Course Directors, along with Master Instructors and IDC Staff Instructors.
A wide range of instructor-level continuing education programs.
Complimentary support materials designed to enhance your professional growth.

We are committed to delivering top-quality training in a fun, supportive, and professional environment. Our team is here to guide you not just during the course but throughout your career. With our extensive global network of dive professionals, we can assist you in finding exciting job opportunities or advancing your career in the diving industry.

Dive into a rewarding future with us—your success starts here!

Emergency First Response (First Aid) Instructor Training

One of the requirements to becoming a PADI Instructor is being certified as an Emergency First Response Instructor. This training, which takes one day, occurs during the IDC before your final Instructor Exam.

Master Scuba Diver Trainer Prep Program

A Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) is a highly experienced Open Water Scuba Instructor who can teach a broader range of PADI specialty diver courses. By earning the title of Master Scuba Diver Trainer, you'll add more teaching certifications and experience to your PAD I instructional wallet, allowing you to offer greater variety in your lessons for both yourself and your students!

This is possible via the Master Scuba Diver Trainer Preparation Course, which teaches you how to run a variety of PADI specialty diver courses. Your MSDT Prep Course lasts for 5 days after you've completed the IDC and will allow you to award 5 more Specialty Instructor certifications as well as teach a range of distinct courses.

Before you can apply to PADI for an MSDT certification, you'll need five Specialty Instructor ratings (which you can achieve during the MSDT Prep) and twenty-five student certifications.

If you select the MSDT Prep course, by the end of your program, you'll be trained on how to teach the following:

PADI Deep Diver Specialty Instructor Course
PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty Instructor Course
PADI Underwater Navigation Specialty Instructor Course
PADI Shark AWARE Specialty Instructor Course
PADI Oxygen Providers Specialty Instructor Course

Exclusions

To achieve certification as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT), you’ll first need to apply through PADI. The associated application fees are paid directly to PADI after you’ve obtained your instructor certification. These fees include:

PADI Specialty Course Instructor Application Fees: These are optional and only required if you choose to apply for specialty instructor ratings.
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Application Fee: To qualify for your MSDT rating, you must first earn five additional Specialty Instructor ratings (as mentioned above) and certify at least 25 student divers.

By meeting these requirements, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your MSDT certification.

Accommodation

We offer a variety of accommodation options near our dive center, ranging from budget-friendly backpacker lodgings to cozy Airbnb rentals. Simply let us know your preferences, and we’ll assist you in finding the perfect accommodation to suit your needs.

Deposit

It is possible to pay off the IDC between now and the beginning of the course. All you need to hold your position is to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500.

Why Choose a PADI IDC?

1. PADI is the world's leading scuba diving organization

PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and is the world's leading scuba diving organization. With over 6,000 dive centres and resorts worldwide and more than 135,000 instructors, PADI courses are available just about anywhere you want to dive.

2. PADI uses work-leading technology to train IDC candidates

PADI Instructor development courses are taught using cutting-edge technologies. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, your PADI instructor development course can now be completed with one week off from work.

3. You'll be taught by experienced PADI Course Directors

All PADI instructor development courses are taught by experienced PADI Course Directors who have been specifically chosen for their knowledge and experience. You can be confident that you're getting the best instruction when choosing a PADI IDC.

4. The PADI Instructor development course curriculum is constantly updated

The PADI IDC curriculum is constantly updated to ensure that it meets the needs of today's divers. You can be sure you're getting the most current and comprehensive instruction when choosing a PADI instructor development course.

5. You'll learn from real-world experience

During your PADI IDC, you'll have the opportunity to learn from real-world experience. You'll work with actual students and get first-hand experience teaching scuba diving courses. This will give you the confidence and skills you need to be a successful scuba diving instructor.

6. You'll earn a prestigious certification

Upon successfully completing your PADI instructor development course, you'll earn a prestigious certification that will open doors for you in the scuba diving industry. With your PADI Instructor certification, you'll be able to work at dive centers and resorts around the world.

7. You'll make lifelong friends

When you attend a PADI instructor development course, you'll meet other like-minded individuals who share your passion for scuba diving. You'll form friendships that will last a lifetime and make memories that will stay with you forever.

8. You'll have fun!

Above all, attending a PADI instructor development course is about having fun! You'll love every minute of your time underwater, and on land, as you learn everything there is to know about becoming a PADI diving instructor.

9. A Scuba Diving Career offers excellent worldwide Opportunities

A scuba diving career can be found found in PADI dive facilities in some of the best dive locations in the world. From the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to the warm waters of the Caribbean, there's a PADI diving instructor job that's right for you.

Why not begin your career as a PADI diving instructor at Abyss Scuba Diving Today?