COTS Diver Scholarship

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem and significant natural wonder.

INLOC is seeking energetic, motivated and passionate young people who are looking for an opportunity to join our current team of vibrant, fun and professional Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) Divers who are committed to the ecological protection of the marine environment of the Great Barrier Reef.

The Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program supports coral growth and recovery by effectively controlling the coral predator to ecologically sustainable levels.

Crown-of-thorns starfish are a native coral predator on the Great Barrier Reef. In outbreak proportions, they have been responsible for causing equal, if not greater declines in coral cover as other major disturbances on the Reef, including mass coral bleaching and severe tropical cyclones.

Applications Close 30 November 2024 for commencement January 2025.

APPLICATION PREREQUISITES

Do you reside in Cairns?
Have you passed Year 10 Maths and English?
Are you physically fit and can you swim?
Are you aged between 17 -19 and not turning 20 before 30/06/25?
Are you able to undertake and maintain the following certifications?:
- Occupational Dive Medical
- First Aid
- Oxygen Provider

FOLLOW ON OPPORTUNITIES

INLOC will offer high performing graduates the following:

A six month (minimum) contract for a COTS Diver position (once qualified as Divemaster), with PADI Divemaster Certification – tuition and study allowance paid by INLOC.

Once certified – starting package including:

A wage of minimum $33.29/hr (above Award).
A deployment allowance of $40 for each rostered day of deployment on a COTS vessel.
All meals and accommodation while deployed aboard a COTS vessel.

PHASE 1 – Application & Selection

Stage 1 – Apply by filling in the application form.
Stage 2 – Applicants will be assessed and shortlisted.
Stage 3 – Successful applicants must complete and pass an occupational dive medical at their own cost (reimbursed if successful at Stage 5) to be able to undertake dive training. Applicants will undertake the following certifications:
- PADI Open Water Dive certification.
- PADI Advanced Diver certification.
Applicants in Stage 3 will be assessed on their ability to achieve the following, which must be satisfied to progress to Phase 2.
- Safety both in and out of the water.
- Ability to dive and meet the standards of effective COTS diver.
- Attitude to the program and its goals.
- Follow directions.
- Apply logical processing of information and common sense.
- Be a good team member.
- Demonstrate initiative and self motivation.
- Maintain safe buddy contact when diving.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude towards the potential role.
- Operate in water (swimming and diving).
- Demonstrate a suitable level of fitness for the role.

An attendance allowance of minimum $200/day (above Award) will be paid while undertaking these certifications.

All tuition fees will be paid by INLOC, and all meals will be provided while deployed aboard a vessel.

PHASE 2 – Scholarship Training

Stage 4 – Successful applicants who progress to this Stage are offered an INLOC Marine COTS Diver Scholarship and are required to achieve the following:
- PADI Rescue Diver Certification (including VET certification).
- Certification in training unit HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid.
- Certification in training unit HLTAID015 – Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy

This training and testing will be paid for by INLOC, and must be passed before continuing to Stage 5. An attendance allowance of minimum $200/day (above Award) will be paid while undertaking these certifications.

Stage 5 – Successful Scholarship recipients from Stage 4 wil be offered a Trainee position onboard a COTS vessel up until June 30, 2025. This package will include:
- A wage of minimum $25/hr (above Award).
- A deployment allowance of $40 for each rostered day of deployment on a COTS vessel.
- All meals and accommodation while deployed aboard a COTS vessel.
- Scholarship recipients will be provided opportunities for training and certification in the following:
  - COTS control.
  - Reef Health Impact Surveys.
  - Manta Towing.
  - Small Craft Handling.
  - Potential for Coxswain Grade 3.

While onboard Scholarship recipients will also accumulate Dive Hours and On Water Hours that are mandatory to undertake further diver and vessel training including Divemaster and Coxswain Grade 1 and 2. The Scholarship including the 6 month return of service will be a projected completion date of February 2026.

The program is a collaborative initiative managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, with the support of government agencies, industry partners, and contractors.