Be a Reef Check Surveyor

Reef Check Australia training is a fun way to meet a tribe of reef-mind people, find out more about our beautiful reefs, boost your dive skills and build your capacity to actively contribute to scientific research. You don't need to have previous science or survey experience--we'll provide you with comprehensive training to safely collect great quality data to help look after reefs. 

We have changed the way we deliver training and now run on online evening theory component. This component is open to anyone, including those who just want to know what Reef Check Australia does, how we do it, and what we look for. This component costs $100, but does not provide certification or any in-water training. An in-water training component at an additional cost ($395.00 on scuba) will be run in South East Queensland (on the Sunshine Coast) and ($200.00 on snorkel) in the Bowen region. 

Our next round of training is coming up in November 2024. The online theory component will be held on November 11, 18 and 25, with the in-water component date subject to suitable weather conditions. Please register your interest via our google form. 

Please read on to find out more and get in touch if you have questions! Or hear, it from our surveyors with testimonials about their Reef Check experience!

Course Content

The Reef Check Australia certification aligns with and expands on the global Reef Check method to ensure relevance here in Australia.

The Reef Check Australia course includes classroom theory components and practical field sessions.

  • Theory Component: This will help you learn the basics about coral reef ecology, Reef Check methods, and identification skills. You will be provided with access to the Reef Check Australia online training modules. You'll also have about 3 hours of face time with a trainer prior to your in water training to go over key discussion points & questions, as well as test your identification skills with photos. 
  • Practical sessions: This is your chance to put it into practice! You will undertake 4-6 SCUBA dive or snorkels with one of our experienced trainers to build on identification skills in the real world, practice survey methods and demonstrate your ability to safely collect great data. 

The core Reef Check Australia survey training includes substrate (whats making up the reef), reef health impacts, and invertebrates. There is an additional course module to learn fish identification skills for surveys. 

 

Certifications

When you successfully complete the surveyor course, both snorkelers and SCUBA divers receive a Reef Check EcoDiver certification and a PADI distinctive speciality certification.

The Reef Check EcoDiver qualification is recognised by the International global network of Reef Check programs, which allows you participate in survey expeditions at research sites all over the world! (Some locations may require additional training to learn regional indicators).

You will also be eligible to join our teams of surveyors in the water, collecting the important data we need to better understand, appreciate and protect our reefs. 

 

SCUBA Surveyors

We want to make sure you're comfortable with foundational SCUBA skills before you join the Reef Check surveyor course, so course participants must meet the following criteria:

  • PADI Advanced Open Water diver, or equivalent
  • Minimum of 18 years of age
  • Evidence of 25 logged dives with 2 in the past 6 months
  • Provide your own dive gear
  • Fit to dive

In addition to at home study, and classroom sessions, you'll have the chance to put your skills into practice with two to four dives.

There is a cost to undertake the course, prices are detailed on the google application form.

 

Surveyors

Please read our survey diver requirements prior to signing up as a trainee! Our Reef Check surveyors have additional requirements beyond those for the course. This includes: AQF Rescue Diver certification (or above) (not just standard rescue Diver), current gear service records for BCD and regulator and current AS2299 Occupational Dive Medical (NOT recreational) report. Please see our Dive Requirements page for details. 

 

Want to see what's coming up?

 

Check out the calendar!

 

Surveyor Snorkel

Our Snorkel Training program is currently only offered in limited locations. We need very shallow reefs in order to successfully operate snorkel-based programs (less than 2m depth) so that we can layout transect tapes for surveys and easily conduct searches for indicators on surveys. 

We have active snorkel programs in the Whitsundays/Bowen region.

Got an idea to discuss? Get in touch!

See our snorkel policy for details on requirements.

 

Want to see what's coming up?

Check out the calendar!