TRAINING COURSES

Surf Life Saving Illawarra, through its seventeen Clubs Trainers and Branch Assessors and Facilitators, delivers training and education for its members for all awards under the Australian Lifesaving Academy NSW.

MEMBER EDUCATION

As a volunteer workforce, all members of a SLSC must be professionally trained, qualified, and prepared to perform the duties that their volunteer role requires of them.

SLSNSW Education pathways page provides an overview of all the Member Training and Education course options available in NSW for financial members which will equip them to contribute to a patrol team.

Upcoming Branch Facilitated Courses

COURSE: RWC Operator Course

EVENT DATES: Commencing May 2025

TO REGISTER: Complete the EOI form in Circular 2419

AWARD OUTLINES

SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE

 The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge of basic patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations. This course is the minimum water safety qualification for Junior Activity supervision.

Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • be at least 13 years of age on the date of assessment

  • have completed a 200 metre swim in five (5) minutes or less, unaided (goggles/mask permitted), in a swimming pool of not less than 25 metres, or over a measured open water course which will be observed prior to the candidate undertaking any water training or assessment activities, evidence of which must be provided to the Assessor on the timed swim form prior to commencement of the assessment for this qualification.

Assessment conditions:

This award is assessed within the Illawarra Branch in a central venue environment . Candidates should be assessed by at least 1 Assessor from another club.

For more detailed information on this award, download a copy of the Surf Rescue Course Syllabus (SRC). SRC Assessor Sign-off

AWARD OUTLINES

RADIO OPERATORS CERTIFICATE

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to operate communications systems and equipment in surf lifesaving operations.

The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  • PUAOPE013A – Operate communications systems and equipment

Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • Candidates must be at least 13 years of age on the date of final assessment.

Assessment conditions:

This award can be assessed by Bronze Medallion Assessors who have not been involved in training the candidates.

For more detailed information on this award, download a copy of the Radio Operators Course Syllabus.

AWARD OUTLINES

BRONZE MEDALLION

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge of basic patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations. This is the core award to be a surf lifesaver in Australia.

The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  • PUA21012 Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue):

  • PUACOM001C Communicate in the workplace

  • HLTFA201B Provide basic emergency life support

  • PUASAR013A Participate in an aquatic rescue operation

  • PUATEA001B Work in a team

  • PUATEA004D Work effectively in a public safety organisation

  • PUAOHS001C Follow defined occupational health & safety policies & procedures

  • PUAOPE013A Operate communications systems and equipment

  • PUASAR012C Apply surf awareness and self rescue skills

 Candidates may also be issued the following unit:

  • HLTAID001 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation [CPR]

 Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  •  be at least 15 years of age on the date/s of  assessment

  • complete an unaided swim (goggles/masks permitted) of 400 metre swim in nine (9) minutes or less, in a swimming pool of not less than 25 metres, or over a measured open water course which will be observed prior to the candidate undertaking any water training or assessment activities, evidence of which must be provided to the Assessor on the appropriate form prior to commencement of the assessment for this qualification

Assessment conditions:

This award is assessed within the Illawarra Branch in a central venue environment. Candidates should be assessed by Assessors from another club.

For more detailed information on this award, download a copy of the Bronze Medallion Course Syllabus.Bronze Assessor Sign-off

AWARD OUTLINES

Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and application of oxygen, airway management devices, and automated external defibrillators during resuscitation, and to administer oxygen to conscious and unconscious breathing casualties.

The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  • HLTAID007 Provide advanced resuscitation

In addition, the award may also be aligned to the following optional units of competency:

  • PUAEME003C Administer oxygen in an emergency situation

  • PUAOPE010C Operate an automated external defibrillator in an emergency situation

Assessment conditions:

This award is assessed within the Illawarra Branch in a central venue environment. Candidates should be assessed by Assessors from another club.

For more detailed information on this award, download a copy of the Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate Course Syllabus (ARTC)

AWARD OUTLINES

Spinal Management Certificate

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to manage injured casualties with suspected spinal injuries in an aquatic environment and in emergency situations.

The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  • PUAEME004A Provide emergency care for suspected spinal injury

 Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • Be at least 15 years of age on the date of final assessment

  • Be proficient in one of the following awards:

    • Apply (Senior) First Aid

    • Bronze Medallion

  • Hold one of the following units of competency:

    • HLTFA201A or B or HLTFA211A Provide basic emergency life support OR

    • HLTFA301B or C or HLTFA311A Apply first aid

For more detailed information on this award, download a copy of the Spinal Management Course Syllabus.

AWARD OUTLINES

IRB Crew Certificate

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively crew an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in surf rescue operations.

The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  • PUASAR015A Crew small powercraft in a rescue operation

Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • be at least 15 years of age on the date of final assessment

  • be currently proficient in Bronze Medallion (and hold the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue))

Assessment conditions:

Candidates for this award can be assessed by IRB Assessors from their own club, who have not been involved in the training.

For more detailed information on this award, download a copy of the IRB Crewperson Course Syllabus.

AWARD OUTLINES

Silver Medallion IRB Driver

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively drive and manage an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in surf rescue operations.

 The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  •  PUAEQU001B Prepare, maintain and test response equipment

  • PUASAR014A Operate and maintain a small powercraft and motor for rescue operations

Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • Candidates must have more than 10 hours crewing experience evidenced by log

  • Candidates must be at least 16 years of age to commence training

  • Candidates must be at least 17 years of age on the date of final assessment

  • Candidates must hold and be currently proficient in:

    • Bronze Medallion and Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)

    • IRB Crewperson Certificate

  • Candidates must meet the local state Marine Licensing requirements

  • Candidates must hold the following units of competency (normally attained on completion of the Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)):

    • PUACOM001C Communicate in the workplace

    • PUAEME001B Provide emergency care HLTFA201A or B Provide basic emergency life support

    • PUAOPE002B Operate communications systems and equipment OR PUAOPE013A Operate communications systems and equipment

Assessment conditions:

Candidates for this award can be assessed by IRB Assessors from their own club, who have not been involved in the training.

For more detailed information on this award, download a copy of the IRB Crewperson Course Syllabus.

AWARD OUTLINES

SILVER MEDALLION BEACH MANAGEMENT

The aim of this course is to provide participants with advanced skills and knowledge to effectively drive and manage a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) in lifesaving operations. Successful candidates are required to commit to regular patrol duties as a part of the Illawarra Support Operations RWC team.

One training course is held during winter each year. Members wishing to participate are required to apply in writing by completing a course-specific application form. Course openings are advertised via the Branch newsletter.

 The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  •  PUATEA002B Work autonomously

  • PUAOPE027A Undertake beach safety management activities

  • BSBFLM312C Contribute to team effectiveness

  • These unit forms a part of the nationally recognised qualification PUA31312 Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue)

Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

  • have more than 20 patrol hours logged on SurfGuard

  • be at least 17 years of age on the date of final assessment

  • hold the Bronze Medallion award and the Certificate II in Public Safety

  • be proficient in ONE of the following:

    • Bronze Medallion

    • Radio Operator Certificate

    • Advanced Resuscitation Technique Certificate

    • Apply (Senior) First Aid

    • Spinal Management Certificate

AWARD OUTLINES

Silver Medallion Rescue Water Craft

The aim of this course is to provide participants with advanced skills and knowledge to effectively drive and manage a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) in lifesaving operations. Successful candidates are required to commit to regular patrol duties as a part of the Illawarra Support Operations RWC team.

One training course is held during winter each year. Members wishing to participate are required to apply in writing by completing a course-specific application form. Course openings are advertised via the Branch newsletter.

AWARD OUTLINES

Gold Medallion

The Gold Medallion is an advanced lifesaving award. The aim of this course is to provide participants with advanced skills and knowledge to manage emergency situations autonomously.

Candidates must hold and be proficient in ALL of the following awards prior to being eligible for the Gold:
• Bronze Medallion (and Hold the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue))
• Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate
• Apply (Senior) First Aid or First Aid [AID]
• Basic Beach Management
• Spinal Management Detailed information on the Gold Medallion can be found in the Gold Medallion Course Syllabus

Candidates wishing to join up with a training group in preparation for the Gold Medallion should contact their Club for assistance.

Become a TAF - Training, Assessor, Facilitator

Training Officer Certificate

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver quality training of Surf Life Saving awards. This is a prerequisite to being a trainer in Surf Life Saving awards.

The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  • TAEDEL301A Provide work skill instruction

  • BSBCMM401A Make a presentation

Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions prior to being assessed:

  •  Be at least 16 years of age on the date of final assessment.

  • Hold and be proficient in the award they wish to train

Note: Before you can train in an award, you must be endorsed as a trainer in that award by your state.

Assessor Certificate

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and experience to competently assess surf lifesaving awards and nationally recognised qualifications.

The following nationally recognised units of competency are issued upon completion of this award:

  • TAEASS401B Plan assessment activities and processes

  • TAEASS402B Assess competence

  • TAEASS403B Participate in assessment validation

Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions prior to being assessed:

  • Be at least 18 years of age on the date of final assessment.

  • Hold the SLSA award that will be assessed

The Illawarra Branch prefers that Assessors are first endorsed as Training Officers in the award they wish to assess.

Note: Before you can assess an award, you must be endorsed as an assessor in that award by your state.

Public Education

For further information contact Surf Life Saving NSW on (02) 9471 8000

SLSI Education

Any queries, please do not hesitate in contacting Megan Melfi - Education Admin Officer on educationadmin@slsillawarra.com.au 

or phone (02) 4228 3884.