Dive and permit information
The ex-HMAS Brisbane artificial reef is a conservation park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, and a restricted access area has been declared over the park. A permit or written authority from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is required to enter the park and dive or snorkel the ex-HMAS Brisbane.
Dive opportunities and important safety advice
Divers with varying levels of experience and certification—from open-water level to advanced wreck-certified divers—are able to enjoy this site. However, it is important to remember that wreck diving is potentially dangerous and intending divers should satisfy themselves that they have an appropriate level of training, certification and experience to undertake the planned dive. Where any doubt exists, dive with a licensed dive tour operator.
All divers must have a recognised scuba-diving qualification
The site is not suitable for inexperienced divers without a guide. It is recommended divers have completed a minimum of 10 open-water dives before diving this site and wreck penetration should only be attempted by those with suitable equipment, training and experience.
As a guide:
- outside and upper decks—open-water certification
- outside to bottom level—advanced open-water certification
- upper level penetration—wreck certification and/or suitable open-water experience
- lower level penetration—wreck certification and/or advanced open-water experience.
It is important to remember that wreck diving is potentially dangerous. For dive safety and medical advice contact Divers Emergency Service (DES) Australia. See staying safe for more information about ex-HMAS Brisbane diving safety.
Diving permits required
All divers must be certified and must obtain a permit to enter the conservation park and dive the wreck, fees apply.
Divers can book a dive tour through either of the licensed dive tour operators on the Sunshine Coast.
QPWS permits for private divers, snorkellers or club divers using the public mooring can be obtained through either of the licensed dive tour operators. Permits may be applied for by email, phone or over-the-counter seven days a week (during business hours only).
The following information must be provided when applying for a permit:
- name, home address, contact number/s and dive licence number of the trip dive leader
- name, dive licence number and home postcode of each diver
- name and registration number of the boat and postcode of its registered address
- total number of divers and non-diving passengers.
Permit conditions:
The dive leader must accept the permit conditions and undertake that all divers on the trip have an appropriate level of training and/or experience to carry out the planned diving activity.
Permit conditions are applied to protect divers and the site:
- The number of permits offered is limited and the maximum number of divers, and snorkellers, allowed is also limited for safety reasons.
- Diver numbers are restricted to a maximum of 10 divers per club booking and four divers per private booking.
- Permits to use the public mooring and dive or snorkel the ex-HMAS Brisbane are allocated in 3hr timeslots.
Permit fees:
- for private dive groups: $54 per person per 3hr timeslot
- for club dive groups: $48 per person per 3hr timeslot
- for private snorkellers: $32 per person per 3hr timeslot.
On-the-spot fines apply for entering the conservation park's restricted access area without a permit and also for failure to comply with permit conditions.
- For serious breaches, seizure of equipment—including tools, dive gear and boats—may occur.
Contacts
- For permits and bookings contact the either of the two dive tour operators.
- For dive medical advice contact Divers Emergency Service (DES) Australia on 1800 088 200 (24 hour service).
- For urgent medical emergencies call Triple Zero (000).
- For more information see the tourism information links.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.