DM internship in OZ...

[tgeasland]

I am in Koh Tao, Thailand right now. I just started diving and wish I started earlier! My father has been in the Diving industry as a professional diver after leaving the Coast Guard. He has worked along side some really interesting people and its always sparked my imagination with his stories. He headed the professional divers association in NYC for a while. Living in New York and Utah, diving wasn't on the top of my priorities. I took my open water 10 days ago and ever since I have been infatuated. I have never had anything I have felt so good doing. I would really like to continue this into professional rec diving and hopefully tech rec. My next step is Divemaster (I will finish rescue tomorrow, supposing my instructor doesn't decapitate me). I have been working in the hospitality industry my whole life (and freelancing photography) and really feel like it fits me well. What im asking of you is; maybe you know of a town that is cheaper than the next. Maybe your friend owns a super small dive shop and he needs a hand... Most forum posts point to West oz or the North east but I figured I would save myself some time and ask for help. Ive looked at countless schools but they all seem to offer the same regimented 5 week schedule. I would really love to work for a school, I am not looking for a billion fun dives but I would like to get in 10 or so a week. I want to be able to take my time as well and have a sweat equity, or a somewhat (Semi) discounted rate. I dont mind cleaning tanks, bcd's, desks, roofs, anything really, I just want to be a part of. Maybe whoever reads this works somewhere nice? I dont think I can afford over 2,500 for the course (including material) and accommodation isnt a worry, but I would like to stay away from the south and the cold. Just thanking anyone in advance to a reply!

The reason for Australia is I applied for a work holiday last year (I have been traveling since) and need to enter before February 25th. I know I can find it much cheaper in SE Asia, but I am crossing my fingers I can find something to fit my needs in Australia. Thanks again!

 

[Ste Wart]

In Cairns you can often get a 'free' DM if you agree to work on the Liveaboards as 'slave' labour for a few months.

It can be worth, you will get the odd dive in every trip and save a bit of cash on accomodation and food. Ask around Cairns dive shops, for DM internships.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

In Cairns you can often get a 'free' DM if you agree to work on the Liveaboards as 'slave' labour for a few months.

It can be worth, you will get the odd dive in every trip and save a bit of cash on accomodation and food. Ask around Cairns dive shops, for DM internships.

This is trtue, but it wil take you a long time (usually a month or more) to get it done and you don't always get the best experience. When you add the cost of living onto the time spent its often better to pay for the course and get it done faster and properly. You get what you pay for remember and the dive companies are certainly going to get their moneys worth out of you! Having said that it can be a great way to get a good overseas experience and if you have the time and money to support yourself, then go for it.

 

[bracko]

indeed, i have mates that live in Cairns and they've said similar.

don't bother with sydney... Generally all the DMC's are willing to do some kind of internship as they stretch out the course to 2months+ in some stores to give them more experience, also most stores aren't willing to offer it free of charge (from my experience, but they may be kinder to overseas travellers willing to be slave labour for the summer)

also, you need to remember that the cost of living is far higher here than Thailand, you cannot survive on a diver's income alone.

 

[ozzydamo]

indeed, i have mates that live in Cairns and they've said similar.

don't bother with sydney... Generally all the DMC's are willing to do some kind of internship as they stretch out the course to 2months+ in some stores to give them more experience, also most stores aren't willing to offer it free of charge (from my experience, but they may be kinder to overseas travellers willing to be slave labour for the summer)

also, you need to remember that the cost of living is far higher here than Thailand, you cannot survive on a diver's income alone.

Weird that, I'm going over there(Thailand) to do mine(dm) for that very reason the cost of accomo/living the course costs aren't as much a worry, but medicals $120+ and everything else $20 reef tax!!!!
Beaucratic take over here! for what! to sell it all to foreigners....................................
I'll probably end up living in LOS perminately.

 

[tgeasland]

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. I dont mind slave labor, I think its good to work up from the bottom and I respect the people that have doing that. I hope to stay under 4k for the whole course and maybe I can take a second job. I would do the work (not dive) and then just go head in and do the dm, but I really cant see myself doing anything other than diving. BUT if anyone does work for a shop or knows anyone maybe you get a referral bonus or whatever, maybe your nice, if you could point me in the direction I would appreciate it.

I have found an interesting place, they do trips to Yongala and I would work one day dive the next. The shop is called Yongala dive, its in Ayr (south of townsville. Anyone know anything about them? Long shot. I have heard the wreck is seasonal and the currents can rip pretty hard, so maybe its not the best place to be a dm.

Thanks again!!!
-Todd

 

[Ste Wart]

I think you'll be ok with Yongala Dive.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Just remember that part of your DM course is working with students. Yongala Dive are a great outfit, and offer very good trips to the wreck, but courses??? I doubt it. They run the occasional Advanced course but I would check how many Open Water course you will be standing in on, as part of your course must be with Open Water or Introductory divers. If not real students then you can make up scenarios with other DM candidates. Not as good, but it serves the purpose.

As I said above, you will get what you pay for. Most of your time will be on the Yongala wreck but in reality you need to work with real students as much as possible. The Ayr boat takes 12 passengers, so how are you going to be on a Cairns boat that ranges from 40 - 200?

Not trying to put you off, but ask questions like "how many courses are you running"? "Are you running the scenario option as opposed to working with real students?" etc. Its important.

 

[tgeasland]

ask questions like "how many courses are you running"? "Are you running the scenario option as opposed to working with real students?" etc. Its important.

good point, thanks so much for pointing that out, never thought of it. I will send them a second email but I think ill be leaning toward a larger company or one that certifies more and deals with students. Are there any good tech rec schools in Queensland??

I am apart of a few forums for my hobbies. Any time I ask questions I dont get responses like these, thank you for taking the time and helping me out!

 

[Maples]

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.