Diving group in push to reduce age limit

CHILDREN as young as 10 would be allowed to go scuba diving under a proposed change to Queensland’s diving code.

Dive Queensland has recommended to the State Government that the minimum legal age for children to learn to dive be lowered from 12 to 10 years of age.

The change would bring the state in line with international standards for the recreational activity.

Terry Cummins, the Cairns-based president of Dive Queensland, said the organisation had recommended there be extra safeguards around supervision and a maximum diving depth for children under 12 to be added to the industry’s new Code of Practice to allow the minimum age to be lowered.

“What happens is our boats can get a kid from England or anywhere else overseas, who comes out with a certificate and can go diving, whereas an Australian can’t even teach their kid to go diving,” Mr Cummins said.

“It’s just causing operational issues.”

Under the proposed changes, the minimum age for resort divers would remain unchanged at 12 years of age.

Pro Dive Cairns general manager Paul Lim said lowering the diving age to 10 would open up the activity to more holidaying families.

“People may argue that kids aren’t mentally mature at that age to learn to dive,” he said.

“But because of the supervision, it’s probably negated that.”

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the government had no intention of lowering the minimum age.

“My department is evaluating all submissions on possible changes to the state’s diving and snorkelling codes, including Dive Queensland’s submission,” she said.

“Once the technical working group has delivered its report, I look forward to receiving a full briefing on any recommended changes.”

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