How do I become a Hydrographer?

Most hydrographers have gained their learning and education through a mix of on the job training and undertaking  studies in the Hydrography Certificate IV (currently accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework, AQF.)

Traineeships and cadetships are offered regularly by water authorities, water and energy utilities, environmental consulting firms as well as contracting companies to the water, mining and forestry sciences.

Given the geographic dispersion of hydrographic work around all corners of Australia, the course is offered by distance learning, currently provided by OTEN of the Western Sydney Institute of New South Wales TAFE. It is the only AQF course currently available for trainee hydrographers, or people wishing to gain qualifications as a hydrographer

Go to http://www.oten.edu.au/oten/core/showpage.htm?pg=ccindex&cofferid=7528 for more information on the course and enrolment details. 

Future Education Directions.

The Australian Hydrographers Association has had a close liason and input into the existing qualification over the years and encourages anyone with a desire to become a hydrographer to enrol in the current Certificate IV offered by OTEN.

The Australian Hydrographers’ Association is currently working closely with Government Skills Australia (GSA) and other key stakeholders in developing new learning materials for the hydrographic training to be reclassified into the National Water Industry Traing Package, which is expected to see the qualification being upgraded to a Diploma. Graduate Diploma modules are being formulated, and connection with a proposed Graduate Diploma in Physical Hydrology is also being investigated.

The AHA is working with OTEN and other stakeholders to develop the guidelines for those who have completed or are completing the existing qualification for seamless transition to the new National Water Training package.