DM internship in OZ...

[bracko]

thanks so much for the info! I have talked to a few Australians here in thailand and most have directed me to queensland... I really would like to stay away from liveaboards but ill take it if it comes to that. I think the plan is to not plan, and just hitch up the coast, im coming from Perth > Syd > North. Pop in some shops and see how I like them / they like me and just see what they can offer.

Australia is a big place... sydney to Cairns is 2,800+km alone. Trains service the whole route and while not the cheapest form of transport are probably a good alternative.

[Kern]

You could have a look at these guy's.

Dive Byron Bay with the Byron Bay Dive Centre - your professional PADI and SSI dive shop to dive Julian Rocks

They have a lot of backpacking DIT's. Many stay in the lodge above the shop.

They do a quickie course, & traineeships.

PS. This is not a personal recommendation, just something you may be interested in. Julian Rock is a great dive site.

[ozzydamo]

Australia is a big place... sydney to Cairns is 2,800+km alone. Trains service the whole route and while not the cheapest form of transport are probably a good alternative.

Perth to sydney is 4000km's more then half the flight to thailand is spent flying over australia and this bird wants to hitch hike around the joint, watch out for Ivan Milat's - Wolf Creek Trailer - IMDb


I would do it in Sydney, you'll get work easier either in Manly or Cronulla

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Having worked regularly in Thailand and obviously here in Oz, personally think Oz is better due to the stricter rules and regulations requiring following the standards.Thailand can get a bit slack to be honest and as a previous employer we always look carefully at those qualify in Thailand take sure all the proper syllabus and course was followed.

I ran IDCs there for over 5 years and know the standards.Wherever you go in Oz you will get a good course and it will be worth something.Just be careful of day trip boats or overnight boats that are not dive schools.Look for PADI rated schools that will be running regular courses, with preferably day trips swell as over night. This way you will get good experience with intro divers as well as students and certified divers. You will have to show experience night diving which I assume you already have.Whether you go west (awesome diving there in the Abrolis Islands {have I spelt that right} or Exmouth) or stick here on the East coast is up to you. Depends where you fly from and to.

Personally I like the recommendation of Kern that maybe look for a local dive club away from the commercial centre, however the tourist spots will have more opportunity.Just make sure you as a LOT of questions and make sure you know the course outline well. There is a separate forum for DMs and I would suggest you move this thread to that or at least copy it there as there would be a lot of DMs who would have been in a similar positions. See here Going Pro

[tgeasland]

Have you considered looking at the west coast? Coral bay and Exmouth have great diving, there are quite a few dive outfits in Exmouth and they seem to do a reasonable number of courses - the added bonus being manta rays, whalesharks and all those other amazing creatures that hang out on Ningaloo Reef. Probably more expensive for cost of living than cairns but it might be worth a look.

Great!! thanks for the info, I was going to head straight east and check out Queens, but I guess it would be a good idea to check them out too... Any particular companies you have dived with and suggest?

[mattoau]

Re: Yongala Dive in Ayr, a few facts:

6 days on, 1 off
Of your 6 days on, 3 should be on the boat and 3 at the lodge.
Your days at the lodge would consist of preparing and cooking food for the guests, cleaning, transfers from Ayr-Alva, shopping runs, fuel runs. You are expected to live in the lodge when there is room, and get booted out to the staff accommodation when it is full. When you are in the lodge you will always be on call/socialising with guests. When guests arrive late and can't find the key you will be expected to open up for them, and then have breakfast ready early next morning.
You should get 3 days on the boat but in reality it is likely to be 2 per week at most. There are several reasons, a few of which are; covering other staff for illness, trip cancellations through bad weather or low numbers. You can also lose your spot through over booking, and because other staff members want a fun dive.

As mentioned previously the number of courses run is very low. The majority of training is the deep training dive, advanced courses do occur but you have to bear in mind that the chances of you being on the boat at the same time is very low. Open Water courses do happen, but probably only 2-3 times per year. The instructors will get very little time to work with you on a paid basis, all training will have to be squeezed in around all other duties.

You will be doing a lot of driving, if you are less than 25 you will be expected to pay the excess for any insurance claims.
Alva is in the middle of nowehere, you'll probably want to escape the lodge on your day off so you don't go stir crazy.

If you are happy with all of that and willing to commit yourself, then there is no reason why you can't get yourself a good education and great deal of experience in the industry. Just make sure you ask all the questions before you commit.