The answer to this question really depends on what you want to be able to do with your qualification. The Instructor Development Course requires a Divemaster certification as a prerequisite, as you will learn how to teach the Divemaster course as part of your instructor training. So, Instructors can do a whole lot more than Divemaster can. Because of this, most employers would prefer to have an instructor on board as they can offer a lot more to the dive shop and their customers.
If you’re looking for a career change and looking to break into the dive industry, then an instructor qualification is really what you need to aim for. The first step in any professional training is the Divemaster course, where you learn how to look after other divers before teaching people to dive! At Abyss, not only do you learn how to lead divers, but you also get additional experience leading divers once qualified with a mentor to help you grow into an experienced and confident Divemaster when you graduate from your program! Similarly, our Instructor Internship leaves you experienced, confident and employable - backed up by experience teaching actual students in the industry alongside our experienced full-time staff!
What you can teach as a PADI pro depends on your level of training. The following table shows what different qualifications allow you to teach. The more you are capable of teaching the more employable you are.
What you can teach
Divemaster
OWSI
Speciality Instr.
MSDT
Assist with Dive Training
Discover Local Diving Experience
Scuba Review Program
Discover Snorkeling Experience
Padi Skin Diver Course
Discover Scuba Diving Experience
EFR Course
Emergency Oxygen Providers Course
PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Course
Conduct Knowledge development and Confined Water Sessions as well as evaluate PADI OWD Course surface skills
Speciality Courses
Padi Seal Team AquaMissions
Entire Range of PADI Diver Level Courses
Author Dinstinctive Speciality Courses
Teach PADI Master Scuba Diver Program
This Chart is for illustration purposes only and is designed as general description. Please contact us for detailed information.
Regardless of your starting certification level, even if you’re not certified, the program takes 9 weeks to complete and become a fully certified PADI Professional!
Once you’re a certified Divemaster, the instructor internship takes 6-9 weeks to qualify you as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (3rd tier PADI Instructor).
With our dive centre being located just 20 min from the city we have a arrange of accommodation available from backpackers to Airbnb to suit your needs. Please let us know what you are looking for and we will help you find a suitable option.
Option 1 - A basic, yet comfortable and clean room in a share house. Communal dining and living area - sharing with other tenants and the owner. Located only 2mins walk from the Dive Shop. Prices start from $35/night. Perfect for those on a budget. Option 2 - personally select and choose from a large range of Air BNB options close by. Prices starting from $45/night.
Let us know what option you would like and we can help facilitate this for you.
You only need to have a tourist visa to participate in the internships. Depending on your country, you may have an option to choose between 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. In order to do both your Divemaster and Instructor training, you will need to opt for at least the 6 months option. If you are planning on staying in Australia and working in the country you will need either a Work & Holiday Visa, or a Working Holiday visa (which one depends on your nationality). This will allow you to work part-time while you’re here, either here during your program or afterwards.
If you are only going to the Divemaster level (not continuing on to your Instructors), AND want to do the Great Barrier Reef work experience, you will need to have the Work & Holiday or Working Holiday visa to participate in the Great Barrier Reef work experience option.
We have a number of local and international interns that do the programs part-time either while studying, or working, or otherwise occupying the rest of their week. Part-time programs are a bit more flexible and take a bit longer. We work closely with part time interns to put a schedule together that works for them. Some interns come every Sat-Sun, some come every Tue and every other Sunday. We’re out diving every Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun – we can definitely find a schedule that would work for you!
We are happy to include a bit of a refresher at no extra cost as part of your program. We want to help support you getting back into the water and achieving your dream job.
All our programs are designed to train you to become the best possible dive professional. We are the only PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre in NSW, with 3 full-time Course Directors, and 4 full-time Master Instructors and make sure you're learning from the best from the beginning of your program. Throughout your program we will have one of our paid full-time team members working with you to ensure you are continually developing.
Most programs that offer work in exchange for training take a long time to work off and is mindless work that you don't get a chance to learn from. Our programs focus on continual training and development, making you more employable straight after the end of your program, allowing you to earn back what you’ve invested in your training.
Quality training costs money and if you want to be a quality dive professional that is employable, you need to get your training from a reputable, professional dive centre. Here at Abyss, we do not use non-qualified people to guide, lead or train, so it is not possible to work until you’re a certified professional. We will make you the best possible dive professional you can be. We will set you up and back you up when looking for employment!
