How to become a Diving Instructor
Official title: Diving Instructor (Open Water)
Trains and instructs recreational or commercial open water divers in diving techniques, safety and the correct use of diving equipment.
Main tasks
- Trains and instructs open water diving students on diving techniques, safety procedures and the proper use of diving equipment
- Demonstrates and explains diving skills and techniques to students
- Provides guidance and supervision to students during open water dives
- Assesses, evaluates and provides feedback on students' diving skills
- Conducts briefings and debriefings with students before and after dives
- Ensures compliance with safety standards and regulations during diving activities
- Maintains and inspects diving equipment to ensure its proper functioning and safety
Ways in
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $74,984 a year
- About 58,800 people work in this job group now, and about 65,900 are projected by 2035. (+12.1%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How much does a Diving Instructor earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $74,984 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Diving Instructor a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 58,800 to about 65,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Diving Instructor?
Not always. 35% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Diving Instructor?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04