Diving, snorkelling and recreational water activities

Health and safety guidance and resources for dive operators offering recreational water activities including recreational diving, recreational technical diving and snorkelling.

Note:

Resources and information on this page including guides, tools, hazards and forms are currently being reviewed and will be updated to reflect the Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice 2024 which comes into effect on 1 August 2024.

View the important updates to dive and snorkelling regulation and code of practice in 2024, and complete list of resources.

Codes of practice

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Recreational diving, recreational technical diving and snorkelling code of practice 2018

This code of practice provides practical advice on how to manage risks in recreational diving and recreational snorkelling.

PDF 620.8 KB 8 February 2018

Alerts

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Guides

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guide

Plan your dive, dive your plan
Certified divers have an obligation to dive safely and responsibly and to comply with the instructions provided during the dive briefing.

PDF 5.1 MB 28 August 2020
guide

Snorkel safety: a guide for workers
A guide for workers in the snorkelling industry to help reduce the potential for snorkelling fatalities and injuries to clients.

PDF 3.3 MB 28 August 2020
guide

Safety Information for divers and snorkellers
Full edition, includes non-English languages: Chinese; Chinese traditional; French; German; Italian; Japanese; Spanish; Swedish; Vietnamese;...

PDF 5.6 MB 28 August 2020

Tools

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tool

Recreational diving and snorkelling compliance checklist
A sample form to use in your business to record assessments.

DOC 1011.5 KB 28 August 2020
tool

Recreational snorkelling compliance checklist
Recreational snorkelling compliance checklist

DOC 117.5 KB 15 November 2022

Videos

All videos

Supervising resort divers

In nearly all fatal resort dive incidents, the introductory diver was separated from their supervising dive instructor. Dive instructors sho...

31 October 2014
Managing the risk of cardiac death

Identifying at risk recreational divers and snorkelers before they enter the water may help prevent a cardiac-related issue. Additional care...

31 October 2014

Hazards

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Carbon monoxide in breathing air during air compressor use

Compressed air can be used to supply clean breathing air to respiratory protective equipment. However, there is a risk that the air supplied...

20 November 2017

Forms

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Medical declaration for non-certified diving
For use by non-certified diver.

PDF 245.99 kB 10 July 2024
Appendix 1 – Example records for a count of persons form
Use this template to record head counts of persons.

DOCX 17.29 kB 18 June 2024
Safety Information for divers and snorkellers
Includes a medical declaration for snorkelling

PDF 119.55 kB 28 August 2020
Appendix 6 – Example combined dive site lookout and supervision for
Example template for combined dive site, lookout and supervision risk assessments.

DOCX 21.97 kB 18 June 2024

Case studies

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Campaigns

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Ambassadors

Our safety ambassadors share their stories and increase awareness of the importance of mentally healthy workplaces and work health and safet...

25 July 2024
Work Well Awards 2023

More than 111 organisations and individuals entered this year’s Work Well Awards, demonstrating their dedication to making Queensland workpl...

20 October 2023
Safety Advocates

Our Safety Advocates highlight the personal impacts that an injury can have on workers and their families.

17 April 2024

News

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Miles Doing What Matters: More Queensland workers set to benefit from nation-leading leave reform

Premier Steven Miles has today announced a major extension to nation leading leave reform, building on changes announced on Labour Day 2024.

23 July 2024
Public Health Services Table of Costs update – effective 1 July 2024

WorkCover Queensland has updated our Public Health Services Table of Costs, which was published in the Queensland Government Gazette and wil...

19 July 2024
Upcoming asbestos management compliance audits for Queensland businesses

Starting 1 August 2024, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors will begin auditing businesses operating from buildings constructe...

3 July 2024

Events

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Mentally healthy workplaces workshops 2024

Designed for managers and supervisors, you’ll be equipped with foundational skills to identify, assess and manage risks to psychological hea...

9 July 2024–18 September 2024
Your guide to the changes: Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 – Free webinar

Whether you're an employer, worker, or a dedicated health and safety representative, register your interest for early access to an informati...

30 July 2024

Services

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WorkCover Connect for employers
Manage your claims and policy with our free online service.

18 May 2020
Raise a workplace safety concern
To raise a concern about a work health and safety or electrical safety issue, please start by answering these five quick questions.

20 August 2020
news-article

Check insurance cover
Check to see if an employer has a current accident insurance policy.

28 August 2020
Hazardous chemical notifications
You must notify us immediately if hazardous chemicals are used, handled or stored under certain circumstances at your place of work.

10 September 2020

Podcasts

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Providing a psychologically safe and positive workplace
Creating a psychologically safe workplace to improve health outcomes and reduce absenteeism and compensation claims.

2 April 2020
Navigating psychosocial hazards and factors within the workplace
Tanya Orszulak from the Psychological Health Unit talked to 4BC Radio about Mental Health Week and how to navigate psychosocial hazards and factors within the w...

12 October 2022

Diving, snorkelling and recreational water activities

Popular links

Popular links

Recreational diving, recreational technical diving and snorkelling code of practice 2018

guide

guide

guide

tool

tool

Supervising resort divers

Managing the risk of cardiac death

Carbon monoxide in breathing air during air compressor use

Ambassadors

Work Well Awards 2023

Safety Advocates

Miles Doing What Matters: More Queensland workers set to benefit from nation-leading leave reform

Public Health Services Table of Costs update – effective 1 July 2024

Upcoming asbestos management compliance audits for Queensland businesses

Mentally healthy workplaces workshops 2024

Your guide to the changes: Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 – Free webinar

news-article

How to guides

For service providers