Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Perform diving operations using SCUBA
Perform diving operations using SCUBA
Unit of competency
National Code
SFIDIVE311A
SFIDIVE311A
State Code
WI714
WI714
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/02/2014
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
05/02/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit of competency involves pre-dive preparations for occupational diving operations, undertaking occupational diving to a maximum depth of 30 metres using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and completing occupational post-dive activities in the seafood industry, including public aquaria and other live holding facilities.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for diving operations using SCUBA
- 1.1. Equipment is checked and prepared for a SCUBA diving operation and defective equipment is marked and removed from service by the person in charge of the diving operation
- 1.2. PPE and diving equipment appropriate to the type and duration of the dive are donned in the correct sequence
- 1.3. A dive plan is prepared, the necessary tools selected, a risk assessment conducted and the dive recorded by the person in charge of the diving operation
2. Perform open-water diving operations using SCUBA
- 2.1. Open-water diving operations to a maximum depth of 30 metres are undertaken using SCUBA according to accepted industry occupational diving guidelines
- 2.2. Decompression procedures are followed
- 2.3. Diver's tender duties are undertaken in a SCUBA operation according to accepted industry occupational diving guidelines
- 2.4. Effective communication is established and maintained
3. Maintain an effective work relationship in a dive team
- 3.1. Effective work relationships are established and maintained with the dive team
- 3.2. Effective teamwork is carried out and maintained
- 3.3. Routine instructions are followed
4. Complete activities after SCUBA dive
- 4.1. On completion of the diving operation PPE and diving equipment are removed
- 4.2. Post-dive equipment checks are carried out
- 4.3. Equipment is decontaminated, cleaned and stored
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities
maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff and contractors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE
ESD principles may include:
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resource
managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing energy use
reducing use of non-renewable resources
PPE may include:
buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
exposure suits:
dry
warmed
wet
Equipment may include:
catch bags
communication systems:
power supply
tape recorders and tapes
tools
topside and diver
breathing apparatus:
demand type (e.g. band mask and helmet)
free-flow type
buoyancy compensator
depth-measuring instruments
dive computer
diver's suits or clothing, wet, dry or warmed
diving watch
gauges
main and reserve air supplies
safety harness
safety and emergency:
first aid
oxygen
bail out bottle
spare air
SCUBA
shot-line
surface-supplied breathing apparatus (SSBA)
surface-supply compressor unit
surface-supply panel
umbilicals
weights, fins and masks
Operation may include:
cleaning and maintaining display tanks
collecting aquatic animals:
abalone
beche-de-mer
broodstock or seedstock
crayfish, lobsters and crabs
ornamental fish, live, rock, corals and other invertebrate
other molluscs
pearls
sea urchins and sponges
seaweed or aquatic plants
collecting dead stock
collecting environmental water samples
eradicating or releasing predators
from a beach
from a jetty
from a vessel
installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, farm environment, cages and associated equipment
retrieving lost tools and equipment
tending aquaculture animals
Diving operation may include:
single person dive
team dive
Tools may include:
cold chisels
files
hacksaws
hammers
knives
netting needles or twine
open and ring spanners
screwdrivers
shackle spanners
shifting spanners
Diving guidelines may include:
ADAS
Australian occupational dive standards
codes of practice
OHS codes of practice and regulations
other regulations relevant to the type of diving operation and area of activity
Decompression procedures may include:
ascent rate
flight time exclusion
repetitive group
safety stops
surface interval
Communication may include:
hand signals
lifeline signals
slate
voice
Work relationships may include:
other divers
surface support team
vessel crew
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities
maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff and contractors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE
ESD principles may include:
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resource
managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing energy use
reducing use of non-renewable resources
PPE may include:
buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
exposure suits:
dry
warmed
wet
Equipment may include:
catch bags
communication systems:
power supply
tape recorders and tapes
tools
topside and diver
breathing apparatus:
demand type (e.g. band mask and helmet)
free-flow type
buoyancy compensator
depth-measuring instruments
dive computer
diver's suits or clothing, wet, dry or warmed
diving watch
gauges
main and reserve air supplies
safety harness
safety and emergency:
first aid
oxygen
bail out bottle
spare air
SCUBA
shot-line
surface-supplied breathing apparatus (SSBA)
surface-supply compressor unit
surface-supply panel
umbilicals
weights, fins and masks
Operation may include:
cleaning and maintaining display tanks
collecting aquatic animals:
abalone
beche-de-mer
broodstock or seedstock
crayfish, lobsters and crabs
ornamental fish, live, rock, corals and other invertebrate
other molluscs
pearls
sea urchins and sponges
seaweed or aquatic plants
collecting dead stock
collecting environmental water samples
eradicating or releasing predators
from a beach
from a jetty
from a vessel
installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, farm environment, cages and associated equipment
retrieving lost tools and equipment
tending aquaculture animals
Diving operation may include:
single person dive
team dive
Tools may include:
cold chisels
files
hacksaws
hammers
knives
netting needles or twine
open and ring spanners
screwdrivers
shackle spanners
shifting spanners
Diving guidelines may include:
ADAS
Australian occupational dive standards
codes of practice
OHS codes of practice and regulations
other regulations relevant to the type of diving operation and area of activity
Decompression procedures may include:
ascent rate
flight time exclusion
repetitive group
safety stops
surface interval
Communication may include:
hand signals
lifeline signals
slate
voice
Work relationships may include:
other divers
surface support team
vessel crew
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
carry out post-dive equipment checks
complete pre-dive preparations for occupational diving operations
dress correctly for SCUBA diving operations and undress correctly at completion of a dive
maintain and store equipment correctly
operate SCUBA while in the water
perform tender duties for a diver
undertake a dive in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SCUBA
use decompression principles, tables and procedures
use:
communication systems
depth-measuring instruments
diver's clothing
diving watch
gauges
main and reserve air supplies
umbilicals
weights, fins and masks
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
anatomy, diving physics and physiology principles
diving equipment operating procedures
hazards associated with SCUBA diving operations
diving-related medical conditions and their treatments
pre-dive and post-dive procedures
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.
Resources may include:
diving equipment for SCUBA diving operations as listed in the range of variables
suitable diving environment
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
observation of open-water practical demonstration
practical exercises
written or oral short-answer testing
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other diving units
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
carry out post-dive equipment checks
complete pre-dive preparations for occupational diving operations
dress correctly for SCUBA diving operations and undress correctly at completion of a dive
maintain and store equipment correctly
operate SCUBA while in the water
perform tender duties for a diver
undertake a dive in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SCUBA
use decompression principles, tables and procedures
use:
communication systems
depth-measuring instruments
diver's clothing
diving watch
gauges
main and reserve air supplies
umbilicals
weights, fins and masks
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
anatomy, diving physics and physiology principles
diving equipment operating procedures
hazards associated with SCUBA diving operations
diving-related medical conditions and their treatments
pre-dive and post-dive procedures
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.
Resources may include:
diving equipment for SCUBA diving operations as listed in the range of variables
suitable diving environment
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
observation of open-water practical demonstration
practical exercises
written or oral short-answer testing
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other diving units
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D9172 | SFIDIVE303B | Perform diving operations using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAR73 | SFIDIV303 | Perform diving operations using SCUBA | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W986 | SFI30111 | Certificate III in Aquaculture | Qualification |
| W987 | SFI30211 | Certificate III in Fishing Operations | Qualification |