Become A Lifeguard

This may appear to be a ‘dream job’, spending your working hours on some of the world‘s most beautiful beaches, but there’s more to being an ALS NSW lifeguard. You must hold and maintain the valid qualifications, pass regular fitness and competency tests and be willing and able to take on the responsibility of keeping hundreds and perhaps thousands of beachgoers safe.

Where possible, lifeguards are recruited through the volunteer base Surf Life Saving provides, ensuring in most cases, selected employees have extensive experience in aquatic public safety and local knowledge. We continue to build strong relationships and partnerships with volunteer surf clubs across NSW and this in turn delivers a better community service outcome to local Government authorities and land managers.

The ALS NSW provides a variety of employment opportunities for prospective lifeguards including full time, seasonal and casual employment. Our lifeguards must uphold the values of the ALS and always deliver a professional, helpful and courteous service to the public.

QUALIFICATIONS AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

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To be part of our industry leading world-class organisation, our lifeguards must be 17 years or over and demonstrate high levels of fitness, excellent rescue and people skills, and hold the following qualifications:

LIFEGUARD QUALIFICATIONS:

• Surf Life Saving Australia Bronze Medallion / Certificate II (PUA20119) in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
• HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid (including Provide Basic Emergency Life Support HLTAID010 & HLAID009 Provide CPR)
• HLTAID015 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation Techniques
• Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Awareness – SurfGuard eLearning Module
• Child Safe Awareness – SurfGuard eLearning Module
• Silver Medallion Beach Management 
• Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue
  OR
• ALS Beach Operations Management (which includes both Silver Medallion Beach Management (Lifeguards) and Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue)
• Current Motor Car Drivers Licence

To become a Rookie Lifeguard you must be a minimum of 16 years of age, have at least one season of SLSC experience and undertake fitness assessments (a Rookie is a supplementary service and do not replace qualified, operational lifeguards on a roster).

ROOKIE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Surf Life Saving Australia Bronze Medallion / Certificate II (PUA20119) in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
• HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid (including Provide Basic Emergency Life Support HLTAID010 & HLAID009 Provide CPR)
• HLTAID015 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation Techniques
• Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Awareness – SurfGuard eLearning Module
• Child Safe Awareness – SurfGuard eLearning Module

If you do not currently hold all of the required awards, our ALS Supervisors conduct lifeguard training courses across NSW throughout the year to train and assess both current and prospective lifeguards.

If you are interested in participating in an upcoming course, please visit the ‘Course Calendar’ tab on our website to contact the relevant ALS Supervisor(s).

Please note: All lifeguards must complete the online modules before attending any training course.

Applying as a New Lifeguard?

If you are new to lifeguarding and not yet a member of the Surfguard – Surf Life Saving membership database, you will be issued a SurfGuard Member ID upon receipt of your application. This Member ID is essential for becoming part of the SurfGuard – Surf Life Saving membership database.

Your Member ID will be used to:

1. Create an account on the SLSA Members Portal – (This is where all your qualifications will be uploaded)
2. Complete your SurfGuard eLearning training from the above portal

NB:  Courses are yet to be finalised in some areas.

FITNESS COMPONENT

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All lifeguards must pass the following fitness component

• A minimum 400m swim, 800m run, 400m rescue board paddle and 800m run in the surf in under 25 minutes
• 800 metre pool swim continuously (in a pool no less than 25 metres in length) in under 14 minutes
• Rescue scenarios utilising a Rescue Board and Rescue Tube

 

2025/26 ALS LIFEGUARD TESTING’S – (South Coast To Be Finalised)

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2025/26 RECRUITMENT NOW OPEN!

HOW TO APPLY 

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The ALS look forward to your application, please ensure all questions are completed correctly.

LIFEGUARDS:

Before you apply, you will need to have the following information at hand:

• Personal and emergency details
• Uniform size
• Drivers’ licence
• Copies of your qualifications or SurfGuard award report – if you are unsure visit the SLSA Member Area here.
• Awards and Qualifications Chart – If you need to know the awards criteria download the Awards and Qualifications Chart.
• If you are missing a pre requisite award eg: HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid and HLTAID015 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, please visit the  ALA Courses in your region. Other awards please visit the Contact Us page where you will find the ALS Supervisor for your desired region, to assist you.

To apply, ensure to tick the ‘Australian Lifeguard Service – Lifeguard’ or ‘Australian Lifeguard Service – Rookie’ you will need to register with our online application platform using your name and email.

1. Complete the personal details section
2. Attach all other relevant documentation (Under 18 Parental Consent Form, Working Visa etc.), if applicable
3. Attach all qualifications and/or SurfGuard report

When completing your application, please ensure you have answered all questions correctly before you press submit. 

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email from the ALS Recruitment Team.

To apply go to ‘Apply Now’ at the top of this page.  We look forward to your application!

* Download Casual Fair Work Information Statement

* Download Fair Work Information Statement