Published 1 October 2025
Seasonal Lifeguard and Swim Teacher Jobs Provide Opportunities for Job Seekers
With aquatic facilities across Australia preparing for another summer, job opportunities for lifeguards and swimming teachers continue to appear every year — reflecting the seasonal nature of the industry and the important role these positions play in keeping communities safe and active.
New analysis from Royal Life Saving Australia shows that the number of advertised positions has fallen sharply since the post-COVID surge in 2021, suggesting a stabilising workforce and a maturing employment market. Hundreds of roles are still advertised each spring, offering a consistent entry point into a sector that employs around 85,000 people nationwide across a wide range of roles.
“With summer approaching and communities heading back to their local pools, it’s the perfect time to highlight what a rewarding and meaningful career the aquatic industry offers,” said RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability & Industry at Royal Life Saving Australia.
“Our analysis shows that the usual pre-summer recruitment drive is now happening across the country, but this is now settled back to long-term trends — more than 50% lower than the peak following COVID-19.”
Job Ad Trends Tell a Clear Story
The data show a significant national shift over the past four years. In spring 2021, there were 990 job advertisements for pool lifeguards and 805 for swim teachers advertised on seek.com.au across Australia. The most recent snapshot in spring 2025 shows 400 and 360 ads respectively — a decline of almost 60% and more than 55% from the post-pandemic peak.
It’s important to note that a single advertisement often represents multiple roles. Employers regularly recruit teams of around 10 or more staff from one listing, meaning the actual number of positions available nationwide is significantly higher than the number of ads.
Job Ads for Key Aquatic Industry Roles – Spring Snapshots (Seek.com.au)
Year (Spring) | Pool Lifeguard Ads | Swim Teacher Ads |
2021 | 990 | 805 |
2025 | 400 | 360 |
Why People Choose Aquatics Careers
Findings from the National Aquatic Industry Workforce Report 2025 highlight that people are drawn to the sector because of the sense of purpose, community impact, and team environment the work provides. Many respondents also cited the flexibility of hours, job satisfaction, and opportunities for career progression as key motivators.
More than half of workers say they plan to stay in the industry for five years or longer, and around 54% of leadership roles are now held by women — reflecting the strong career pathways and inclusive culture the sector offers.
“Working as a lifeguard or swim teacher is often the first step in a varied and rewarding career,” said Shaun Jackson, National Manager – Training & Workforce Development at Royal Life Saving Australia.
“People enter for the flexibility or a summer job, but many stay because they find purpose, community and opportunity here. These roles are also highly transferable, providing skills that open doors across education, recreation, emergency services and beyond.”
Get Involved This Summer
With workforce levels stabilising and demand following predictable seasonal patterns, now is an ideal time to explore a role in the aquatic sector. Whether you’re seeking part-time work, a flexible second job, or a stepping stone to a dynamic career with a wide range of pathways, the industry offers opportunities that are meaningful, rewarding and make a difference.
For more information on how to get started, visit https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/training-development/careers-focus
