What ADAS means in your country, how to get to Burra from international airports, and the visa and logistics realities.
Why train in Australia.
Australia is one of the deepest commercial-diving training markets in the world. The ADAS framework (Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme) is recognised across New Zealand, the UK and Europe, Canada, the South Pacific and much of South-East Asia through international regulator-level agreements.
Three reasons international students come here specifically:
ADAS portability. One qualification, accepted across most of the markets you're likely to work in across your career.
Compressed timeline. Eight weeks for the Combined SCUBA and SSBA to 30m (Part 1 & 2) course means you can fly in, qualify, and fly home faster than the equivalent split-qualification pathway in some other countries.
Real conditions. Burra's quarry training site lets us run real working-condition dives, including nil-visibility, realistic task and conditons.
ADAS recognition overseas.
The short version: ADAS Part 2 is widely recognised across the markets we see students from. Details vary by destination. Here's how it lands in the regions we train students from most often.
Region
Recognition
Notes
New Zealand
Full recognition
ADAS qualifications are accepted under the trans-Tasman arrangement. Most NZ commercial divers train at ADAS-accredited schools in either country. No conversion needed for onshore work.
UK & Europe
Mutual recognition via IDRCF
ADAS sits alongside the UK HSE, Norway, the Netherlands and France under the International Diving Regulators & Certifiers Forum (IDRCF). Employers across these markets generally recognise ADAS Part 2 for onshore work; for HSE- or country-specific roles, a top-up or local registration may apply.
Canada
Mutual recognition via IDRCF
The Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC) is an IDRCF member, so ADAS qualifications are recognised for Canadian onshore commercial work. Confirm specifics with the DCBC if you're heading there directly after training.
South Pacific
Widely recognised
ADAS is the dominant standard across Pacific island commercial diving (Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu). We regularly train students from across the region.
South-East Asia
Widely recognised
ADAS qualifications are accepted across most of SE Asia for both inshore and offshore work. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore all see regular ADAS-trained divers.
Other countries
Case by case
For destinations not covered above, recognition depends on local regulation. Get in touch and we'll talk through what we know about your specific destination.
For the deeper offshore qualifications (ADAS Part 3 and Part 4), recognition is also broad through IMCA. We don't deliver Part 3 or Part 4; see the full ADAS pathway.
Visa & arrival.
We can't help with visas, and won't pretend otherwise.
UTCSA isn't a registered migration agent. We can train you and we can confirm enrolment paperwork your visa process may need, but anything visa-side is between you and the Australian Department of Home Affairs (or a registered migration agent of your choosing). Most students manage this directly. It's not unusual.
If you're coming from overseas, you may need a visa to train with us. Most of our international students are on a Working Holiday visa, which is fine for training. Other visas can work too, depending on your circumstances.
Confirm your specific situation directly with immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or a registered migration agent before booking flights.
Getting to Burra.
Burra is a small country town about 2 hours' drive north of Adelaide in South Australia. Here's the practical journey from international arrival.
1. Fly into Adelaide (ADL)
The main international gateway for South Australia. Direct flights from major Asian and Pacific hubs; one-stop from most other regions.
2. Get from Adelaide to Burra
2-hour drive north. Options: hire a car at Adelaide airport (most flexible), or take the regional bus to Clare (about 45 minutes from Burra). UTCSA can arrange a pickup from Clare for the final leg.
3. Once you're in Burra
You don't need a car. The town centre, the school and the dive site are all within walking or 3-minute driving distance. Students car-pool to the dive site every day. There's always a spare seat.
Accommodation in Burra: see the full list: cottages, pubs, motels and a caravan park, all within walking distance. Most overseas students share a house with classmates to keep costs down.
Total cost to consider.
Beyond the course fee, factor in everything else of being on-site for 8 weeks. Realistic figures in Australian dollars, round numbers, not exact quotes.
Item
Indicative cost
Combined SCUBA and SSBA to 30m (Part 1 & 2) course
See current pricing
ADAS certification fee (paid at end of course)
$720
AS/NZS 2299.1 medical (SPUMS doctor in Australia)
$400
First Aid + Oxygen Management certificates
$300–$430
Personal kit (wetsuit, fins, work clothes)
$800–$1,500
Accommodation, ~2 months in Burra
$2,500–$5,000
Living expenses, ~2 months
$2,000–$3,500
Flights to Adelaide (varies wildly)
Region-dependent
Sharing a house with classmates is the single biggest cost-saver, knocks weekly accommodation down from motel rates to a few hundred dollars. We add you to the student WhatsApp group on enrolment so you can sort housemates before arriving.
FAQs.
No. UTCSA isn't a registered visa sponsor or migration agent and we can't assist with visa applications. You'll need to handle that with the Australian Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
If you're coming from overseas you may need a visa to train with us. Most of our international students are on a Working Holiday visa, which is fine for training. Other visas can work too, depending on your situation. Confirm what suits you with the Australian Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before booking flights.
For New Zealand, the South Pacific, much of SE Asia, UK/Europe and Canada (via IDRCF recognition), yes, ADAS is widely accepted. For other countries, recognition depends on local regulation. Check with your destination's diving regulator before booking if you're unsure.
Working in Australia requires the right work visa, which is separate from your training. We're a training provider, not a migration agent, but Australia has a current shortage of commercial divers, so there are options worth exploring with a registered agent. If you are on a working holiday visa, then yes.
No, we don't run accommodation ourselves, but Burra has shared houses, cottages, pubs and motels within walking or short driving distance of the school. Once you enrol we add you to the student WhatsApp group where housemates and lifts get sorted. See our accommodation page for the full list.
Fly to Adelaide (ADL), the main international airport for South Australia. From Adelaide, Burra is a 2-hour drive north. If you don't have a car, there's a bus service to Clare on Sundays (45 minutes from Burra), and we can arrange a pickup from Clare to the school. Once you're in Burra, the town and dive site are easily walked.
You need solid working English: verbal and written. The course covers technical material, safety procedures and decompression theory; you need to understand briefings and pass written assessments. There's no formal IELTS requirement, but if English isn't your first language, be realistic about whether you can follow a fast-paced technical course.
Course fees are quoted and paid in Australian dollars (AUD). International bank transfers and major credit cards are accepted. Talk to us before payment. We can confirm the current options and any fees from your bank's end.
Got questions?
We've trained students from across the Pacific, SE Asia, NZ, UK/Europe and Canada.
If you've got questions specific to your country, drop us a line. We're happy to talk through what we know about your destination and what other international students have done.