PADI® Instructor Development Course (IDC) Packages 2026

Start here to become a PADI dive Instructor. Share your passion with others and help them experience the same joy you have for scuba diving.

If you like people, have a passion for scuba diving and want an extraordinary life - become a PADI Instructor. Teaching scuba diving allows you to share your love of the aquatic world with others while doing what you enjoy - being in, around and under water. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors and PADI Assistant Instructors are the most sought-after dive professionals around the world because they've completed the program that sets the standard for training dive professionals. You earn a PADI Instructor rating through hard work and commitment, but you're rewarded with a job that lets you share incredible underwater adventures with others - transforming their lives for the better and enriching yours.

Are you ready to join the ranks of the dedicated professionals who teach the world's most progressive and popular scuba diver education programs? Go PRO with The Submersibles!

Pre-requisites:

1. A PADI Divemaster who has been a certified diver for six months.
2. Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months.
3. Have a Medical Statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months.
4. At least 60 logged dives and 100 dives to attend an IE.
5. You also need to be an Emergency First Response Instructor, but you can earn this rating during your instructor training.

To become a PADI Instructor, you need to:

1. Complete the Assistant Instructor (AI) course,
2. Complete the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) programme, and
3. Attend the Instructor Examination (IE).

Successfully completing just the AI course results in a PADI Assistant Instructor (AI) qualification. When an AI is ready to progress, attending an OWSI program allows entry into an IE to earn a full PADI Instructor rating. You can opt to complete both the AI course and OWSI programme together in the Instructor Development Course (IDC).

Dive professionals who hold an instructor rating with another diver training organisation may be eligible to enrol directly in the OWSI program. This recognises prior instructor training and provides a path to become a PADI Instructor.

Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Typically conducted over seven days, the IDC teaches you to conduct all PADI core courses. You'll be able to organise and present information, conduct skill development sessions and control Open Water dives. Basically, you become a better public speaker and get really good at demonstrating skills while watching out for student diver safety. Key topics include:

1. PADI Standards and Procedures for courses you can teach with in-water workshops.
2. Learning, Instruction and the PADI System.
3. Risk Management and Diver Safety.
4. The Business of Diving and your role as an instructor.
5. Marketing Diving and Sales Counselling.

Instructor Examination (IE)

The Instructor Examination (IE) is a two-day evaluative program that tests an instructor candidate's teaching ability, dive theory knowledge, skill level, understanding of the PADI System, and attitude and professionalism. PADI IEs are standardised and conducted by specially trained PADI Instructor Examiners. The IE location, testing environment and examination sessions are organised to be as objective as possible to fairly and consistently evaluate a candidate's abilities. Only those who meet the IE performance requirements earn the respected PADI Instructor certification. There is a fee for attending an IE.

Duration:

1. From 7 days onwards

Price:

Price includes:

1. PADI eLearning.
2. Briefing prior to start of course, either face-to-face or via zoom.
3. 5 classroom sessions.
4. 3 to 4 Confined Water session - conducted in pool.
5. 3 Open Water sessions - conducted in local waters.
6. PADI Course Director fees.
7. PADI Insurance coverage during the course.
8. PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) Certification (eCard) upon completion.
9. Unlimited practise & consultation before IE.
10. Scuba Instructor Masterclass after IE.

Price excludes:

1. Gear rental
2. PADI Fees: IDC Application (AUD 350), EFRI Application (AUD 252) & IE (AUD 1,190)
3. Meals