Saturation diver salary: how the award and allowances shape pay in Australia
Understand saturation diver salary in Australia: award rates, diving allowances, state and industry differences. See how the Professional Diving Industry Award sets pay for saturat
A saturation diver's pay is not a single classification; it combines the offshore diver rate (index ~113) with a diving allowance of at least $390 per dive, potentially pushing the index well above 150 depending on dive frequency and location.
What is a saturation diver?
A saturation diver is a commercial diver who uses saturation techniques – procedures where the diver is continuously subjected to ambient pressure greater than atmospheric pressure so that body tissues become saturated with inert gas. This allows long-duration work at depth without repeated decompression. In Australia, saturation divers are covered by the Professional Diving Industry (Industrial) Award 2020 (Fair Work Ombudsman), which sets minimum wages and allowances for offshore and inshore diving.
How the award defines pay
The award does not have a separate classification for 'saturation diver'. Instead, a saturation diver is paid as an offshore Diver (or higher classification like Diving Supervisor) plus a diving allowance for each dive using saturation techniques. As at July 2026, the minimum total weekly rate for an offshore Diver is $2,346.53, which includes an aggregate factor covering overtime, penalties, and roster conditions. Annualised, that is $122,019 – an index of 112.6 against the national line of $108,352 (index 100).
For comparison, an inshore Diver earns $1,344.50 per week (index 64.5), but saturation diving is almost exclusively offshore due to the depth and duration involved.
The diving allowance – where saturation pay lifts
The diving allowance for saturation techniques is a minimum of $390 per 12-hour period (based on $5.23 per metre, or $1.56 per foot). This is paid once per period worked, on top of the base weekly rate. If a diver works multiple saturation dives in a week, the allowance can add significantly to total earnings. For example, two saturation dives in a week could add $780, lifting weekly pay to over $3,100 – an annualised index above 150.
Higher classifications such as Diving Superintendent ($3,206.39 per week total, index 154) or Hyperbaric Welder ($2,878.63 per week, index 138) also apply saturation allowances. The allowance for supervisors is 20% of the average diving allowance paid to divers under their supervision.
State and industry differences
Saturation diving in Australia is concentrated in offshore oil and gas fields, often off Western Australia and the Northern Territory. State earnings indices show WA at 106.9 and NT at 95.2, but these reflect all occupations. For divers, the award is national, so base rates are the same. However, project-specific allowances, remote area leave, and living-away-from-home payments ($75.66 per day) can push effective pay higher in remote locations.
Industry context matters: the mining industry index is 154.7, and saturation diving directly supports offshore energy extraction. While the Professional Diving Industry is not one of the listed industries in our index, the work aligns closely with mining and resources. In contrast, inshore diving (harbour maintenance, aquaculture) has lower pay and fewer saturation opportunities.
Putting it on the Salary Index
The Salary Index compares gross annual ordinary-time earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). An offshore diver's base pay sits at index 112.6. Adding a single saturation dive allowance of $390 per week brings weekly pay to $2,736.53, annualised $142,300 – index 131. With multiple dives or higher classifications, the index can exceed 150. This places saturation divers well above the national average and comparable to roles in mining and professional services.
For perspective, the national minimum wage is index 48.2, and the average retail worker is at index 75.9. Saturation diving is a specialised, high-risk occupation that commands a premium.
What about tax and super?
Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to earnings up to $270,830. For a saturation diver earning $140,000, that means $16,800 in super. Tax (2026–27 rates) on $140,000 is roughly $31,267 plus 2% Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $105,000 before any deductions. The states page shows how location affects overall cost of living, but diving pay is largely determined by the award and project conditions.
Where to find current rates
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the full award and pay guides for the Professional Diving Industry. The 2025 pay guide from the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) shows slightly lower rates due to timing; always check the latest award. For broader occupation data, Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings for divers (all types) at around $1,800–$2,200, but this includes inshore and part-time workers. Saturation specialists earn significantly more.
Key takeaways
- Saturation diver salary is not a fixed figure; it's the offshore diver rate plus a diving allowance.
- Base offshore diver pay is index 112.6; with saturation allowances it can exceed index 150.
- State and industry differences are real: WA and NT are common locations, and the work sits within the high-paying mining and resources sector.
- Always refer to the current award and pay guide for exact minimums – allowances and rates change annually.
For more on how pay compares across occupations, see the industries page and the topics section on specialist trades.
Questions people ask
What is the typical salary for a saturation diver in Australia?
There is no single typical salary because saturation diving is a technique, not a separate job title. Pay is based on the offshore diver rate under the Professional Diving Industry Award (minimum $2,346.53 per week as at July 2026) plus a diving allowance of at least $390 per dive using saturation techniques. Annual earnings can range from $120,000 to over $200,000 depending on dive frequency, depth, and location.
How does the diving allowance work for saturation divers?
The award sets a diving allowance of $5.23 per metre (or $1.56 per foot) of depth. For saturation dives, the minimum payment is $390 per 12-hour period (calculated as 250 times the allowance per foot). This is paid once per period worked, in addition to the base weekly rate. The allowance compensates for the physiological demands of saturation techniques.
How do state and industry differences affect saturation diver pay?
State earnings indices vary: Western Australia (106.9) and the Northern Territory (95.2) are common locations for offshore saturation diving. The industry context matters too – saturation divers often work in offshore oil and gas, which aligns with the mining industry (index 154.7). However, the award itself is national, so base rates are the same everywhere; differences come from project allowances, rosters, and cost-of-living adjustments.