Published: 27/11/2025

Royal Life Saving launches psychosocial safety training for aquatic facilities

Aquatic facility workers experience high rates of occupational violence and aggression (OVA). Recent workforce insights suggest staff deal with an estimated 2,500 incidents of abuse each year, with around one quarter of workers reporting OVA-type incidents on a frequent basis. In response, Royal Life Saving Australia, together with its State and Territory member organisations and key industry experts, has jointly developed an innovative and engaging online learning resource, Psychosocial safety in the aquatic industry, to help aquatic leaders, managers and frontline staff identify, manage and reduce the risks associated with this growing form of hazard.

The module provides practical, scenario-based guidance aligned with contemporary work health and safety expectations and is highly contextualised to aquatic environments. It supports organisations to implement psychosocial risk management processes that are proportionate, defensible and effective, while building safer, more respectful and more resilient workplaces.

Positioned within a broader suite of professional development resources on workforce wellbeing and safe operations, the module also complements Royal Life Saving Australia’s Keep Your Cool at the Pool campaign, reinforcing practical strategies for de-escalation and respectful customer interactions.

RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability & Industry at Royal Life Saving Australia, said psychological safety can no longer be treated as an optional extra in aquatic operations.

“Psychological safety is now a core operational requirement for pools and aquatic centres. This module gives teams practical tools and role plays real-life scenarios that they can apply on shift tomorrow –  fostering stronger, healthier workplaces for staff and visitors at aquatic facilities.”

Early feedback from industry partners highlights the value of the new resource.

“The module is a valuable tool that will make a genuine difference in helping aquatic staff better understand, anticipate and respond to psychosocial hazards. Ultimately, it supports safer facilities for our communities and healthier workplaces across the industry. The scenarios are practical, engaging and immediately applicable on shift and we look forward to enrolling our staff.”
– Suellen Goyne, Coordinator Aquatic Centres, Maitland City Council

“The module is highly engaging and exceptionally timely. We will be integrating it with the Keep Your Cool at the Pool materials and our own training resources to further equip our staff to understand, anticipate and manage these complex psychosocial hazards. It is a valuable addition to our workforce development toolkit.”
– Scott Vanderheyden, General Manager – Health and Safety, Belgravia Health & Leisure Group

The Psychosocial safety in the aquatic industry module includes:

• Understanding and identifying common psychosocial hazards and their impacts in aquatic settings
• Roles and responsibilities of managers and workers in promoting individual and workforce wellbeing and resilience
• Implementing practical controls mapped to the risk management process
• Legal duties and compliance requirements
• Conflict management and de-escalation strategies
• Incident response, reporting, and support for workers and teams

The module is designed for:

• Facility managers, operations managers and duty managers
• Lifeguards and customer service teams
• Swim school leaders and instructors

Delivery and enrolment

• Fully online, self-paced micro-learning with applied scenarios and knowledge checks
• Certificate of completion on successful completion
• To enrol, contact your Royal Life Saving State / Territory Office or view more information here.

About Royal Life Saving Australia

Royal Life Saving Australia is a public benevolent institution, established in 1894, dedicated to bringing people together to eliminate drowning and empower communities to be safe around water. As a leading national drowning prevention and water safety organisation, we believe drowning is preventable, being able to swim is a human right, and access to safe places to swim builds healthier, more connected communities. Through our leadership, research, advocacy and education, we foster inclusion, build resilience and develop lifelong skills so that every Australian can enjoy the water safely.