Surf Life Saving Australia is one of many national aquatic lifesaving organisations worldwide that collectively form the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). ILS awards are accepted internationally by ILS members, such as SLSA, to provide SLS members professional recognition of their lifesaving knowledge and skills.
SLSA’s membership of the ILS means that several SLSA awards are recognised internationally, e.g., the SLSA Bronze Medallion. This recognition helps SLS members in Australia participate in international lifesaving exchange programs and obtain work opportunities in other countries.
SLSNSW members in Australia who want recognition for ILS awards obtained in other countries need to complete an ‘in-depth proficiency’ as part of their skills maintenance requirements. They also need to be inducted into the SLS organisational policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to their SLSC.
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To patrol in NSW, SLS members will also need to hold a Certificate II Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue). The valuable lifesaving and emergency care knowledge and skills that SLS members have obtained internationally may mean that they are suitable candidates for an ‘RPL assessment-only pathway’ to obtain Australia’s nationally recognised Certificate II Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue).
Refer to the SLSNSW Education Team and the ILS International certificates and ILS certificate equivalency tables for more information on internationally recognised SLS training.