Are you thinking about becoming a PADI Instructor? If you are, it’s likely you may have heard of the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). The PADI IDC is the course you need to take after achieving your PADI Divemaster rating, in order to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).
After completing your IDC and logging 100 dives, you’ll be ready to take the PADI Instructor Exam (IE). This might sound daunting, but it’s not – it’s just to check that you have fully understood what you learned during your IDC.
As a PADI Instructor, the world is your oyster. You can get paid to travel and work at amazing dive destinations worldwide. If you have decided to make the ocean your office, read on to find out why you should consider taking your PADI Instructor Development Course in Australia.
Why Choose Australia for Your PADI Instructor Development Course?
Whether you’re local or traveling Down Under, there are many fabulous reasons why you might choose to take your PADI IDC in Australia.
Awesome Diving
From Cairns to Ningaloo, Australia’s waters are home to whale sharks and some of the world’s most impressive marine life species. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) alone is home to over 1,500 species of fish as well as 134 species of sharks and rays. There are also over 30 species of marine mammals and 6 of the world’s turtle species. But that’s not all, the GBR itself boasts a staggering 411 species of beautiful hard corals! Since being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, a large part of the Great Barrier Reef is a protected Marine Park, which means that year on year it continues to thrive and flourish – and this could become your future office!
Endless Choices
As one of the most sought after places to dive in the world, Australia is home to an incredible number of PADI Instructor Development Centers. From small and exclusive centers through to larger operations with liveaboards, take your IDC in Australia and you have an unparalleled amount of choice of where to study.
Popular Location for Solo Travelers
If you’re embarking on your IDC as a new solo adventure, Australia is a highly regarded choice for solo travelers. The country is often remarked as being full of friendly people! Plus, it’s an excellent destination to meet friends (and possibly new dive colleagues!). Here you’ll likely be surrounded by other solo travelers doing their IDC and in the same position as you.
Course Directors
As one of the world’s most famous diving destinations, Australia attracts Course Directors (CDs) from around the world. PADI Course Directors are the PADI Professionals who conduct Instructor Development Courses and Instructor Exams. In Australia, you can select the CD who you think you will work with best. If you are not a native English speaker, don’t worry. It’s possible to find CDs who speak multiple languages from around the world, in Australia.
Reputable Operators and Safety
As a professional diver, safety is a big concern. In Australia, there are some of the most stringent regulations in place to ensure the safety of student divers, recreational divers and professionals – like you! Whether you’re a newbie or a current Divemaster, this provides peace of mind. Plus, you’ll develop an excellent eye for reputable operators and high safety standards here.
Employment
With so many PADI dive shops in Australia, there are multiple employment options to look into after your IDC and IE. If you choose to work outside of Australia after becoming a PADI Instructor, having experience in Australia will be a great asset to your scuba diving CV!
How to Get Started?
If you are already a PADI Divemaster, have at least 60 logged dives and have completed Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months, you are ready to embark on the Instructor Development Course.
To become a PADI Instructor, you will need to first work through the PADI core courses. These are Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver followed by your PADI Divemaster course. You will also need to have your Emergency First Response training up-to-date to complete your Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses.
If you know that being a PADI Instructor is your calling, many of the Instructor Development Centers in Australia offer programs to take you from PADI Open Water Diver (or whatever your current scuba diving level is) through to PADI Instructor, ensuring that you log the required number of dives in Australia along the way.
Learn more about becoming a PADI Professional and locate a PADI dive shop in Australia to start working towards having the job of your dreams!
