Best spot to learn in the pacific??

[squantry]

Hi my name is Gianluca, I am a 20 year old italian. At the moment I am in Austrlia.
I will be leaving Australia in january 2012. Next year i'd like to devote myself to scuba diving, do my open water certificate and accumulate as much experience as I can possibly working for a dive center.
My scuba dive experience consists of basic dives and I don't have any certification, but i've been freediving and spearfishing since I was a kid so I'm very confident underwater.
I was wondering if this idea of work in exchange of experience is achieveble,
and which place in the pacific can be the best and the cheapest one to try this experience: Thailand? Fiji? Bali? New Zealand?
any advice is more than welcome. thank you

 

[fisheater]

IMHO, by far the best place to learn to dive is the place where you will going your diving. If you're going to be diving at home, learn at home.

 

[Navy&Diver]

I know you are looking other places, but about a month ago I was on holiday in AUS, a few buddies and I went up to Carins to get certified, it was GREAT, I would go back in a heart beat! Good luck wherever you choose, Im sure you will love it!

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Once you are certified, which is a critical next step for you, there is a chance you can exchange work for the cost of additional certifications or just for diving. There is however, tight competition for jobs in the dive industry just as in every other field. Many dive centers in this and other countries will offer you discounts as an employee, or, in my experience, be VERY happy to pay you in dive trips and tank fills instead of cash. But first you have to make a connection with a dive center. You also need to offer them a skill they need in their business, which may be as a multi-lingual store clerk, or if you progress in training to a professional credential, a multi-lingual dive master or instructor. I strongly suggest you make connection with a number of dive centers in places that interest you, and determine their interest, present them you resume and proposal, and see if you get a positive response. I don't think that it is good idea to just "show up" unless you have the financial means to support yourself for a time until you can make a connection. Whether through email contacts or just showing up, to get work in a dive center you will need to offer them a skill that they need and are willing to pay for. If you have experience in retail, if you have skills as a photographer or videographer, if you can lift heavy things, if you are willing to do "grunt work," if you have good computer skills, a background in accounting, etc, each will enhance your job prospects. Good luck!
DivewmasterDennis