
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: First Aid Course (HLTAID009, HLTAID010 & HLTAID011)
EVENT DATES: Tuesday 1 April and Thursday 3 April 2025
EVENT TIMES: 6pm-9pm
VENUE: Surfhouse
TO REGISTER: Email amy@nwslsc.com.au
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.