Travelling to the Great Barrier Reef?

Anyone diving or doing a course on the Great Barrier Reef should expect to need one, as most Queensland dive schools and liveaboards ask for a medical to AS4005.1.

You’ll also need one if your dive school asks for it, if you answer yes to anything on a dive health questionnaire, or if you have a medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, a heart condition or ear problems. It’s also wise after a long break from diving, surgery, a serious illness or pregnancy.

Healthy certified divers on a fun dive usually just fill in a health form with the operator on the day. If you answer no to every question, you usually won’t need a medical. Snorkellers don’t need one.

Every dive school and operator sets its own rules, so check with yours before you travel. If you’re unsure, call us on 02 9389 8000.

Walk-ins are welcome during opening hours. Booking online or calling ahead gets you a set time, while walk-in waiting times can vary on busy days.

Most dive schools ask every student to fill in a medical questionnaire before the course. If you answer yes to any of the questions, you’ll need a doctor to clear you before you can get in the water. Some schools ask for a full medical from everyone, so check with yours.

Yes. Anyone can book, and you don’t need a Medicare card. Many travellers get their medical in Bondi before heading north, because Queensland dive schools usually ask for one to the Australian standard and may not accept a medical done overseas.

It’s done in a single appointment, usually around 30 minutes.

No. We keep the common dive medical forms at the practice. If your dive school or employer has given you their own form, bring it along and Dr Harry will complete that one.

There’s a fee for the dive medical as well as a consultation fee. Please call us on 02 9389 8000 for current fees. The dive medical itself isn’t covered by Medicare. We accept cash, EFTPOS and most major cards, including Apple Pay.

It depends on who’s asking for it. Many dive schools and operators accept a medical for around 12 months. Your dive school or operator will tell you what they need. For keen divers, a common guide is a check-up every 5 years under 30, every 3 years from 30 to 50, and every year over 50.

Dr Harry will explain why and what comes next. Sometimes that’s a test or a specialist opinion, and sometimes it’s waiting until a condition has settled. Not being cleared on the day doesn’t always mean you can never dive.

Call us first. A blocked nose or sinuses can make it hard to check your ears properly, so it’s often better to reschedule. It’s also a good rule for diving itself: if you can’t equalise easily, don’t dive.