Typically, liveaboards require divers to have an Open Water Diver (OWD) certification or an equivalent as a basic qualification.
In addition to the OWD certification, liveaboard operators often require divers to have a certain level of experience, usually quantified by the number of logged dives. The standard requirement is between 20 to 30 logged dives. This criterion is set to ensure that divers joining the trip are comfortable and competent in various underwater conditions, as liveaboard trips often visit a range of dive sites with differing levels of complexity and depth.
Furthermore, some liveaboards in Australia may also require or recommend the Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) certification, especially for itineraries that include more challenging dives. The AOWD certification enables divers to undertake dives up to 30 meters deep and equips them with skills for a wider range of diving activities, such as deep diving and underwater navigation