Become a Lifeguard

Becoming a Lifeguard with Surf Life Saving WA puts you on the frontline of coastal safety services within WA.

SLSWA employs over 100 Lifeguards every summer (October to April) to deliver services at over 20 metropolitan, south west and great southern locations. Limited opportunities within the metropolitan region also exist during winter (May to October).

We are currently recruiting lifeguards for the 2023/24 season.

APPLY HERE!

See below for further information and how to apply to become a Lifeguard.

As a SLSWA Lifeguard you will help people stay safe while they enjoy the beach, just like Lifeguard Jackson Davey demonstrated when he went to the aid of a beachgoer recently.

Undertaking board rescue training, Jackson noticed a beachgoer caught in a rip, struggling to keep his head above water.

Assessing the situation, Jackson went to the man’s aid, assisting him to shore and out of danger. A potential tragedy was averted thanks to Jackson’s quick thinking and willingness to respond.

If you think you have the skills and presence of mind to respond like Jackson and save lives on WA beaches, and if you answer YES to the following statements, then becoming a SLSWA Lifeguard might be for you:

  • Are you willing to take on the responsibility of keeping hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of beachgoers safe?
  • Do you want to work in one of the best “offices” within WA?
  • Are you reliable and can follow procedures to ensure the best possible service is delivered to the WA community?
  • Do you have the courage to prevent incidents before they happen and physically rescue anyone who does get into trouble?
  • Do you want to work as part of a collaborative team where everyone’s contributions count?

SLSWA Lifeguards must hold and maintain the valid qualifications, pass a fitness and competency test and be willing to uphold the values of SLSWA to deliver a professional, helpful and courteous service to the public.

SLSWA provides a variety of employment opportunities for prospective Lifeguards including:

  • Seasonal roles – regular work (days and times) with part-time or full-time hours over a set period of time, and
  • Casual roles – ad hoc work (days and times)

In either role, you may be expected to work a shift between Monday and Sunday, including Public Holidays. Shifts start and finish times, as well as durations, vary but do not start earlier than 5.45 am or finish later than 6.15 pm.

Lifeguards can be involved in:

  • Delivering beach patrols including the use of SLSWA’s iconic Observation Towers
  • Flying drones to provide localised surveillance alongside the regional surveillance provided by the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopters
  • Completing roving patrols using four-wheel drives and side-by-side vehicles (SSVs)
  • Performing special assignments including dedicated water safety for events or activities
  • Conducting jet ski patrols in high risk areas

Where possible, SLSWA recruits Lifeguards through the volunteer base Surf Life Saving Clubs within WA. This maximises opportunities for volunteer Lifesavers to apply their skill sets outside of their Club patrol requirements while also bringing vital local knowledge to the role.

Recruitment Process

In order to apply, you must satisfy the following:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Hold a Surf Life Saving Bronze Medallion award OR Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
  • Hold a Surf Lifesaving First Aid qualification OR HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid qualification or HLTAID003
  • Hold a Surf Lifesaving Advanced Resuscitation Techniques award OR HLTAID015 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation Techniques qualification
  • Hold a valid Car Drivers Licence (provisional or higher; manual preferred but not essential)
  • Hold a valid national police clearance dated to within 6 months of your application
  • Be able to obtain and hold a Working with Children check

1. Submit an application

APPLY HERE!

Correctly complete the application via the ‘APPLY HERE’ link above. You will require the following information in order to complete this form:

  • Contact details
  • Drivers Licence
  • Access to your qualifications or SurfGuard award report – if you are unsure visit the SLSA Member Portal here.

2. Be invited to a fitness and capability assessment

If you are shortlisted into our recruitment pool based on your application, you will be required to demonstrate baseline fitness and capability requirements. This includes:

  • Completing a 400-metre pool swim in under 7 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completing a tube rescue of a patient 100m offshore and return the patient to shore
  • Completing a board rescue of a patient 200m offshore and return the patient to shore
  • Completing a 400m swim, 800m run, 400m rescue board paddle and 800m run in the surf in under 25 minutes
  • Complete a first aid and resuscitation session

3. Offer of employment and invite to induction

Following the above steps, if you are selected as a suitable candidate (based on your qualifications, capability, behaviours, attitude, etc.) you will be offered an employment contract and invited to attend an onboarding induction.

The induction will take place at Surf House in Balcatta. You will attend this induction with other new and returning Lifeguards whereby you will be exposed to a range of policies, procedures and training to get you ready for your first shift on the beach.

If you have any questions about being a SLSWA Lifeguard please contact the Lifesaving team on 9207 6666 or email.