Across Australia
We’re here to help all Australians enjoy the water safely through drowning prevention leadership, education and action. We want to bring a love of swimming and water safety education to more people in the community, especially those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
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Drowning Prevention Leadership
Royal Life Saving has a resolute focus to achieve the Australian Water Safety Council's long-term goal of reducing drowning deaths in Australia - directing significant resources towards its implementation.
RESEARCH, POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Royal Life Saving's programs, products and services are underpinned by research and a commitment to continual improvement. From 2021-2022 research delivered:

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49,156
Research page views
24,869
National Drowning Report page views
8,156
Summer Drowning Toll Page Views
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Community Awareness and Action
While we talk about its perils, we actually want all Australians to love and to enjoy the water safely. We advocate on a wide range of drowning prevention and water safety issues through targeted campaigns, educating communities about the risks of drowning and prevention strategies, reaching over 5 million people annually.
Campaigns and Programs
SWIMMING, LIFESAVING, WATER SAFETY PATHWAY

We are building a nation of lifesavers that together help create communities free from drowning. We want to bring a love of swimming and water safety education to more people in the community, especially those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. Further, foster pool lifesaving sport as vehicle for skills and leadership development.

Over 20 million participants have enjoyed Swim and Survive since inception.
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651,708 + Education and Training Awards issued annually.
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300,000+ participants undertake classroom awards per annum.

Over 35 years of Swim and Survive

Royal Life Saving's Swim and Survive program ensures children all over Australia get the very best swimming and water safety education backed by over 125 years of experience in swimming and lifesaving, based on evidence-based research. More than 350,000 participants enrolled annually.

16,600 pool lifeguards trained annually

Australian lifeguards are world-renown for their high levels of skill and knowledge in accident prevention and rescue response. Royal Life Saving was the first organisation in Australia to start training pool lifeguards specifically and we have been doing this for over 30 years. Royal Life Saving received the top award for its Pool Lifeguard course at the 2020 International e-Learning Association awards.

Safer Aquatic Locations
We are championing safety in all aquatic environments through risk management, industry development and training initiatives. Managing the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation with over 500 subscribers.
Aquatic Risk and Guidelines

INLAND WATERWAYS

Working across Australia in Inland Waterways, Royal Life Saving currently has projects operating in all Australian States and Territories. Key activities in the community include:

  • Engaging with local stakeholders to develop drowning prevention strategies
  • Delivering swimming and water safety programs in key communities
  • Conducting risk assessments of river blackspots and developing a targeted action plan
  • Participating in local events to educate the community
People and Culture
Our people are our most essential asset, they bring commitment, energy, skills and reach into communities across the nation. Investing in them, bringing clear purpose, the resources they need, building partnerships and fostering innovation, amplify their impact.

Organisational Cohesion and Growth

State and Territory Member Organisations identified some of their most important contributions to the community including:

Continuing to build strong community relationships ensuring courses, programs and drowning prevention strategies are delivered to communities whether they are in urban, regional, rural or remote areas.

Working with our high-risk and multicultural communities to provide accessible water safety education and support.

Taking every step necessary to offer the community the critical social, health, wellbeing and economic benefits associated with aquatic activities.

Adapting to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 to ensure the education sector and aquatic industry are supported, and the community continues to receive vital water safety education and training.

With COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions our team persisted behind the scenes to re-adjust protocols and parameters for participation ensuring our programs and courses could return and continue as
soon as possible.

Our people adapted quickly to the changing needs of our communities and ensured a continuation of high-quality service and support.

Training continues to be the core focus of our day-to-day operations – from a young child taking their first Swim and Survive lesson, to an experienced Pool Lifeguard participating in their annual re-accreditation test, Royal Life Saving continues to play an important role in water safety.