CDA is an accredited training establishment (ATE) of the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS).

The Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) is an internationally recognised non-profit organisation based in Australia that sets standards for occupational diver training and certification. It operates as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and courses are accredited under the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ADAS provides certification for various roles in the hyperbaric industry in addition to commercial diving, such as training for Life Support Technicians, Diver Medic Technicians, Chamber Operators and others.

ADAS has international status, world class training standards and agreements in place with other international dive certification schemes for mutual recognition, including:

  • Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC)
  • Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (HAVTIL) (previously known as the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA))
  • Netherlands Diving Centre (NDC) and Hobeon
  • South Africa Department of Labour (DOL) (qualifications issued prior to 30/06/2010 only)
  • UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
  • France Institut National de Plongee Professionnelle (INPP), Centre Activites Plongee (CAP) and Ecole Nationale des Scaphandriers (ENS)
  • Australian Army (qualifications issued prior to 1/08/2017 only)
  • Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
  • International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)

You can find out more about international equivalents on this page.

ADAS is widely recognised within the international dive industry as being one of the highest quality certifications due to its global recognition and acceptance.

ADAS certified personnel are employed around the world – in Africa, Antarctica, Canada, China, Russia, South America, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the USA – the list goes on and ADAS divers are out there getting down and dirty.

Diver safety is critical for ADAS compliance, and they continuously advocate for ongoing improvement to diver safety through risk identification and mitigation. CDA is regularly audited against ADAS’s certification scheme requirements to ensure that as a training organisation, we are consistently meeting the high level of training and safety standards that ADAS requires.

ADAS is, however, far more than just an energetic, active and preeminent occupational diver certification scheme. ADAS also proudly lays claim to being at the forefront in terms of providing extensive support to its divers and other certification holders.

Diving into the Standards: IMCA’s Role in Offshore Marine Construction

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is a cornerstone of the offshore marine construction industry, championing the enhancement of diving standards and advocating for safety and technical prowess across international waters.

Striving for the Best IMCA’s Diving Division Management Committee diligently works to instill best practices within the offshore diving sector. Their steadfast aim is to conduct operations that are not only safe and efficient but also sustainable, mirroring the industry’s elite standards.

Steering the Sector IMCA wields considerable influence through its extensive technical library, which boasts an authoritative diving code of practice and a collection of diving equipment DESIGN documents, known as Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Notes. These pivotal resources empower professionals with the latest guidelines and best practices, ensuring industry standards remain at the forefront.

Health and Safety at the Helm The association extends its reach by offering secretariat services to the Diving Medical Advisory Committee (DMAC), a cadre of renowned diving medical specialists who counsel on the medical and safety dimensions of commercial diving. IMCA’s alliance with ADCI and IOGP, forming the International Diving Industry Forum (IDIF), highlights a unified dedication to diving safety.

Certifications of Distinction IMCA’s engagement in the offshore diving industry is further cemented by its active role in qualifications and certifications. Esteemed for their diving supervisor and life support technician certification schemes, IMCA also endorses diver medical technician courses worldwide. Although IMCA acknowledges diving qualifications from certain entities, it refrains from approving individual basic in-water diver training schools, which are under national oversight.

Advocacy and Leadership As a prominent trade association, IMCA represents a significant faction of contractors in the offshore marine construction industry. Its members are pivotal in the creation and maintenance of offshore energy structures. IMCA’s dedication to environmental stewardship and the energy transition is manifest in its initiatives to combat climate change and advocate for the judicious use of marine resources.

A Rich Heritage of Command Emerging in 1995 from the union of the Association of Offshore Diving Contractors (AODC) and the Dynamically Positioned Vessel Owners Association (DPVOA), IMCA’s heritage in operational excellence and technical acumen is unparalleled. The association is a key influencer in the development of industry best practices and in elevating performance standards.

Visionary Outlook IMCA aspires to be the global benchmark for the cultivation of marine energy resources in an era of reduced carbon footprint. Its mission to elevate industry performance is realized through the collective wisdom of its members, alongside conferences, seminars, and a robust committee network. As a global trade association, IMCA’s advocacy for shared interests in health, safety, quality, environmental, and technical standards is unwavering.