Australasian Drilling Institute

What Australasian Drilling Institute does

Australasian Drilling Institute (ADI) is a privately held Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code: 31440) founded in 2005 in Cairns, Queensland, specialising in nationally recognised drilling-industry vocational education. The company delivers qualifications from Certificate II through Advanced Diploma level across the drilling operations pathway — Driller's Assistant, Driller, Senior Driller/Supervisor, Drilling Supervisor/Project Manager, and Drilling Operations Manager — alongside complementary short courses in Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, First Aid, and Surface Coal Mine Safety (Recognised Standard 11). ADI claims to be the only RTO globally delivering live, real-time drill training on a purpose-built drill site with a functioning drill rig, and has developed proprietary in-house training tools including online e-learning modules, custom animations, and a custom-built mobile training trailer (launched October 2020) for on-site delivery.

ADI operates from three physical locations — Cairns (headquarters), Brisbane training centre, and Townsville (Black River field site) — and distributes training through face-to-face blended, remote blended, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and traineeship pathways. Revenue is generated via three streams: course fees for individual and corporate enrolments (e.g., $700 for the Surface Coal Mine Safety Skill Set), government-subsidised training delivery under QLD Career Start, NSW Smart and Skilled, and QLD Skills Assure programs, and RPL assessment services for experienced workers. The company is led by Managing Director Ili Cava and has no disclosed external institutional investment or parent company. Its customer base spans individual fee-payers, VET in Schools high school cohorts, and named corporate partners including Boart Longyear, Sandvik, Imdex, Mitchell Services, New Hope Coal Australia, and government skills body Energy Skills Queensland.

Name

Australasian Drilling Institute

Legal name

Australasian Drilling Institute Pty Ltd

Website

https://drillinginstitute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Australasian Drilling Institute (ADI) is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO 31440) founded in 2005, delivering nationally recognised drilling-specific vocational qualifications (Cert II to Advanced Diploma) and WHS short courses to mining, infrastructure, and resources-sector workers across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training — Drilling Operations

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Mining & Metals (EDABALAT)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Drilling industry education
• Mining safety training
• Registered training organisation
• Workplace health and safety courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Cairns

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Training Course Fees: ADI generates revenue through fees for nationally recognised training courses ranging from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma levels, as well as short courses and skill sets. Pricing varies by qualification with some courses offering contact-for-pricing model.
2. Government-Funded Training: ADI participates in government subsidised training programs including Queensland Government's Career Start and NSW Government's Smart and Skilled, enabling funded training for eligible students and trainees.
3. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): ADI offers RPL pathways allowing individuals to gain formal qualifications based on existing experience, providing an alternative revenue stream for experienced workers seeking certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Australasian Drilling Institute is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 31440) that delivers nationally recognised drilling industry qualifications from Certificate II through Advanced Diploma, plus WHS short courses (Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, First Aid, Surface Coal Mine Safety) and a VET in Schools program. Training combines face-to-face, remote blended, Recognition of Prior Learning and traineeship delivery, supported by a purpose-built drill rig, a mobile training trailer and proprietary in-house e-learning tools.

Product overview

Australasian Drilling Institute (ADI) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 31440) providing industry-specific drilling training programs across Australia and internationally. The offering consists of nationally recognised qualifications from Certificate II through Advanced Diploma level, along with short courses and the VET in Schools program. The qualification pathway includes Certificate II in Drilling Operations (entry-level for Driller's Assistants), Certificate III (Drillers), Certificate IV (Senior Drillers/Supervisors), Diploma (Supervisors/Project Managers), and Advanced Diploma (Operations Managers). Short courses cover worksite safety skills including Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, First Aid, and Surface Coal Mine Safety. Training is delivered through face-to-face blended learning, remote blended delivery, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and a Mobile Training Unit that brings training directly to client sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certificate II in Drilling Operations (RII20920) Nationally recognised entry-level qualification for aspiring Driller's Assistants (DA)/Offsiders, covering tasks in drilling contexts under supervision. Available via face-to-face blended, remote blended, RPL and traineeship pathways.
• Certificate III in Drilling Operations (RII31820) Nationally recognised qualification reflecting the role of a Trainee Driller or Driller, covering tasks in a wide variety of drilling contexts with discretionary judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.
• Certificate IV in Drilling Operations (RII40920) Nationally recognised qualification reflecting the role of Senior Driller or Drilling Supervisor, involving leadership-level tasks in varied drilling contexts with complex and non-routine activities.
• Diploma of Drilling Operations (RII50620) Nationally recognised qualification reflecting the role of Drilling Supervisor or Project Manager, covering a broad range of high-leadership tasks across varied drilling contexts.
• Advanced Diploma of Drilling Management (RII60415) Nationally recognised qualification reflecting the role of Drilling Project Management or Operations Managers, covering broad, specialised, complex and technical tasks including strategic areas and initiating activities.
• Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation (RII20120) - VET in Schools Entry qualification for the Resources and Infrastructure industries, designed for VET in Schools students (Years 10–12) to prepare for entry-level jobs and further training in the global resources and infrastructure industries.
• Working at Heights Training (RIIWHS204E) Nationally recognised short course meeting Workplace Health and Safety requirements for safe working practices at heights or depths; combines 3 hours of online learning with a half-day practical workshop.
• Confined Spaces Training (RIIWHS202E) Nationally recognised short course on safe working practices when working in confined spaces; combines online learning (3 hrs) with practical training components.
• Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) Nationally recognised short course meeting Workplace Health and Safety requirements for emergency care response; covers CPR, Basic Emergency Life Support, and workplace first aid policies and procedures.
• Surface Coal Mine Safety Skill Set (RIISS00034) Nationally recognised skill set providing the Generic Induction Passport (Recognised Standard 11) for Queensland coal mine sites; combines 6 hours of online learning with a 1-day practical workshop. Full fee: $700.
• Driller's Assistant Course Intensive multi-day training program for aspiring Driller's Assistants/Offsiders, conducted at ADI's Cairns and Townsville (Black River) locations.
• Mobile Training Unit Custom mobile training trailer that brings training services directly to clients; equipped for Working at Heights and Confined Spaces training, with COVID-19 safety features. Deployed in Mount Isa, Townsville, Atherton, Ravenshoe and Gordonvale.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment RPL pathway allowing experienced drilling and resources workers to gain formal nationally recognised qualifications based on their existing workplace experience, as an alternative to classroom-based training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates can transition into roles as Driller's Assistants or Offsiders, with pathways to long-term careers in the drilling industry.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADI maintains a strong relationship with ADIA, the peak industry body for drilling. An article by ADI's Managing Director was published in ADIA's Australasian Drilling Magazine. ADI supports the magazine which has served the onshore drilling industry for over 30 years.
• Boart LongyearmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading global drilling services provider listed as an industry partner. Represents ADI's connection to major drilling industry operators.
• Global Drilling AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational drilling industry alliance providing ADI with access to global industry networks and best practices.
• ImdexcoreTechnology or IntegrationMining technology company providing integrated solutions. Partnership supports ADI's training technology capabilities.
• ReflexcoreTechnology or IntegrationDrilling technology company listed as industry partner, supporting ADI's training with industry-relevant technology solutions.
• SandvikcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal engineering and mining equipment manufacturer, providing equipment and technology partnerships for ADI's training programs.
• Mitchell ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian drilling services company listed as industry partner, providing industry expertise and potentially practical training opportunities.
• AMC (Australian Mining Circuits)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMining industry partner supporting ADI's training programs with industry-specific expertise and equipment.
• Energy Skills QueenslandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-funded skills body that partners with ADI for Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects, including the Telco Drill Career Start program for NBN-related drilling training. Provides learner support and job readiness assistance.
• New Hope Coal AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoal mining company listed as an industry partner, representing ADI's reach into the coal mining sector.
• PON ProjectsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrilling contractor that partnered with ADI and Energy Skills Queensland for the Telco Drill Career Start program. Provided practical training site for horizontal directional drilling used in NBN infrastructure.
• DeepcoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrilling company listed as industry partner.
• Lennard DrillingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrilling contractor listed as industry partner.
• Douglas PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeotechnical engineering consultancy listed as industry partner.
• Centurion DrillingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian drilling services company listed as industry partner.
• Queensland Government - Department of Employment, Small Business and TrainingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerADI is an approved Skills Assure supplier for Queensland Government's training programs, enabling subsidised training for eligible Queensland students.
• HEST (Height Equipment Safety Training)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorking at heights training provider listed as industry partner.
• Various Queensland High SchoolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchools including Kirwan State High School, Ravenshoe State School, St Stephen's Catholic College, Trinity Bay State High School, Gordonvale State High School, Gympie State High School, and Heatley Secondary College participate in ADI's VET in Schools program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AlertForce: National Australian WHS and safety training provider offering Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, and First Aid courses. Directly overlaps with ADI's short-course offering to the same resources and construction customer base.
• St John Ambulance Australia: National First Aid and emergency-care training provider delivering the same HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course that ADI offers. Direct competitor for ADI's First Aid short-course revenue with much broader geographic reach and brand recognition.
• Pinnacle Safety and Training: Australian RTO delivering WHS, mining, and construction safety training with both on-site and fixed-campus delivery. Competes with ADI on short-course WHS qualifications and recertification programs for resources workers.
• Resource Training Group: Western Australia-based RTO specialising in mining and resources training including drilling-related pathways. Closest competitor for ADI's core drilling curriculum, particularly in WA where ADI has limited physical presence.
• Site Skills Training: Australian RTO delivering mining, construction, and WHS training across multiple campuses nationally. Directly competes with ADI on resources and infrastructure courses and on common WHS short courses.
• Vector Training: Australian RTO delivering vocational and WHS training across multiple industries nationally. Overlaps with ADI on common short courses and trades pathways and competes for the same government-funded enrolments.

Broad incumbents

• TAFE Queensland: Government-funded TAFE institution delivering mining and resources qualifications across Queensland. Operates a much broader portfolio but competes directly with ADI on Certificate II-IV pathways and short-course WHS training.
• Holmesglen Institute: Large Victorian TAFE delivering vocational qualifications across trades and resources. Broader portfolio than ADI but competes on similar Certificate-level pathways and could expand further into drilling-specific training.

Others

• Energy Skills Queensland: Queensland government-funded skills council that partners with (and partially overlaps with) ADI on Skilling Queenslanders for Work and Telco Drill Career Start programs. Functions more as a funding/ecosystem participant than a direct training competitor.

Emerging players

• PETEX (Petroleum Extension Service): University of Texas at Austin-affiliated training provider delivering oil & gas and drilling industry courses internationally. Comparable to ADI in drilling-specific curriculum focus but serves a global, English-speaking oil & gas audience rather than the Australian resources sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AustralasianDrillingInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/australasian-drilling-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australasian Drilling Institute