SCUBA DIVING
When people say they want to dive in Australia, it usually means they want to dive the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. It is the largest coral reef system in the world and the only living structure on Earth visible from space. Divers praise the reef for its biodiversity, and local Aboriginal peoples consider it an important part of their spirituality. Could the place be magical?! Queensland covers almost a quarter of Australia and offers opportunities for many underwater adventures. In the south there are sunken shipwrecks, sand formations and coral-covered caves to explore. Besides the underwater world, life above water is especially interesting too – you can see lush green rainforests and stunning white sandy beaches, and enjoy adventures in the city.
At the Gold Coast dive center, a professional team of specialists will prepare you and help you gain practical diving knowledge. Using the most up-to-date methods, you will learn everything you need – diving equipment, scuba diving sites – and you will also have the opportunity for further development through specialty dives. The team is friendly, multilingual and motivated to prepare participants to become diving specialists, which also opens up countless job opportunities. Those who successfully complete the course receive a globally recognized certificate.
Gold Coast Dive Centre (GCDC) has 420m² of facilities providing everything needed to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of safe diving. Participants will have access to:
- 6 classrooms;
- professional instructors;
- bathrooms (separate for girls and boys);
- study areas;
- 2 boats;
- 1 jet ski;
- outdoor leisure activities for participants.
Requirements:
- Participants must have completed 10th grade and must present a translated copy of their education certificates.
- An IELTS score of 5.5, with a minimum of 5, or a TOEFL score of 550.
GCDC offers the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. Classes are held in English, so you need a satisfactory knowledge of the language, which will help you successfully master the material and ensure your safety while diving.
There are 2 levels, depending on the diving knowledge you would like to acquire:
- Certificate III (12 core units, 12 electives)
- Certificate IV (15 core units, 16 electives)
Length:
- 11 months (26 weeks of lessons, 20 weeks of break) Certificate III
- 12 months (36 weeks of lessons, 16 weeks of break) Certificate IV
Price (fees are in Australian dollars):
- $ 200 enrollment fee
- $ 450 materials
- $ 7.762 Certificate III fee
- $ 9.060 Certificate IV fee
- discount when paying for the whole course in advance:
- $ 8.034/ Certificate III;
- $ 9.0257/ Certificate IV.
- installment payment option:
- $ 1690.50/semester (Certificate III);
- $ 2.015/semester (Certificate IV).
Additional certificates:
for Certificate III:
- open water course - $ 112.02
- advanced open water course - $ 118.37
- rescue course - $ 119.60
- Master Scuba Diver course- $137.50
- diving course - $ 329.33
for Certificate IV:
- digital underwater photography $ 86.14
- enriched air diver $ 130.46
- night diving $ 88.02
- peak performance buoyancy $ 88.02
- Project AWARE specialist $ 28.36
- wreck diving $ 88.02
- deep diving $ 101.35
- drift diving $ 88.02
- equipment specialist $ 76.33
The Master Scuba Diver course requires full equipment, and participants will learn how to care for their equipment and what they need to have for underwater expeditions.
Accommodation: arranged with the assistance of the Australian Homestay Network. Host family: the price of accommodation varies depending on how many meals a day are included and the age of the participants.
- 3 meals/day (7 days) - $ 325/week in a single room, $ 295 in a double, under 18
- 3 meals/day (7 days) - $ 305/week in a single room, $ 275 in a double, over 18.
- dinner only (7 days) - $250/week in a single room, $ 220 in a double room
- accommodation only - $200/week in a single room, $ 170 in a double room.
Internet connection is charged separately – max $ 12.50/ week. Airport transfer: $125-$150
Visa: Visa subclass 190 / visa subclass 489; the possible visas are:
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated-489(ST)
- Short term skilled occupation list (STSOL)
- Labour Market Testing Requirement
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) State Sponsership List