Re: Yongala Dive in Ayr, a few facts:
6 days on, 1 off
Of your 6 days on, 3 should be on the boat and 3 at the lodge.
Your days at the lodge would consist of preparing and cooking food for the guests, cleaning, transfers from Ayr-Alva, shopping runs, fuel runs. You are expected to live in the lodge when there is room, and get booted out to the staff accommodation when it is full. When you are in the lodge you will always be on call/socialising with guests. When guests arrive late and can't find the key you will be expected to open up for them, and then have breakfast ready early next morning.
You should get 3 days on the boat but in reality it is likely to be 2 per week at most. There are several reasons, a few of which are; covering other staff for illness, trip cancellations through bad weather or low numbers. You can also lose your spot through over booking, and because other staff members want a fun dive.
As mentioned previously the number of courses run is very low. The majority of training is the deep training dive, advanced courses do occur but you have to bear in mind that the chances of you being on the boat at the same time is very low. Open Water courses do happen, but probably only 2-3 times per year. The instructors will get very little time to work with you on a paid basis, all training will have to be squeezed in around all other duties.
You will be doing a lot of driving, if you are less than 25 you will be expected to pay the excess for any insurance claims.
Alva is in the middle of nowehere, you'll probably want to escape the lodge on your day off so you don't go stir crazy.
If you are happy with all of that and willing to commit yourself, then there is no reason why you can't get yourself a good education and great deal of experience in the industry. Just make sure you ask all the questions before you commit.