Surf Life Saving has five membership categories and 14 membership subcategories catering for a wide variety of people, skills and experiences.
Refer to the following table for an overview of the membership categories and subcategories available to members. There is also a general overview of their meaning, because the rights, benefits and obligations of each membership category will be as determined each SLSC’s Constitution.
If you are unsure about which category is appropriate for an SLSC member, please contact your SLSC Administrator.
Surf Sports Competition Note:
It is important to note that competition age groups differ from the membership categories. Refer to the SLSA Surf Sports Manual for information on surf sport competition age groups.
| Category | Sub-category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junior | Junior Activity Member | Shall be a person who shall be a minimum age of five (5) years up to a maximum age of thirteen (13) years and such person shall be required to gain the relevant Surf Education Certificate for that person’s age group. |
| 2 | Junior | Cadet Member (13-15) | Shall be a Member of the age qualification as defined in SLSA’s Manuals (ie under 15) and, who has obtained the Surf Rescue Certificate or has passed an annual proficiency test. |
| 3 | Junior | Inclusive/Adaptive Program Participant | Shall be a Member aged 5-99 years enrolled in a program which has adapted the curriculum to the needs of the participants. |
| 4 | Active | Active Patrol Member (15-18), Active 18+ | Shall be a Bronze Medallion holder and Fulfil patrol and Club obligations, as provided by SLSA and the Member’s Club constitution. Qualify in an annual proficiency test unless the Member has obtained their Bronze Medallion in that season |
| 5 | Active | Reserve Active Member | May be granted by a Club to Active Patrol Members who have satisfactorily completed (from the gaining of the Bronze Medallion) at least eight (8) years of patrol and Club obligations as provided by SLSA and Club constitution. Reserve Active Membership shall not be automatic but shall be granted by resolution of the appropriate club body. Reserve Active Members shall perform a minimum of patrols in each Affiliated Club where they hold Reserve Active Membership, as required by SLSA and further patrol duties at the discretion of the Affiliated Club/s management. Reserve Active Members shall complete the annual proficiency test. Note: Reserve Active membership may be granted under exceptional circumstances to Active Members irrespective of years of service. |
| 6 | Active | Award Member | May be granted by a Club to persons over the age of 13 years who hold an SLSA award of one, or more, of the following qualifications:- Surf Rescue Certificate, Radio award/s, Resuscitation Certificate, Advanced Resuscitation Certificate, First Aid Certificate (or equivalent), or UAV pilot (who must be over the age of 16 years). Such Members may be called upon to perform patrol and/or other club obligations within the ability of their qualifications. An Affiliated Club may grant an Award Member voting rights to that Affiliated Club if they are undertaking lifesaving patrol duties. |
| 7 | Community | Community Member | May be granted by at Club to persons not directly participating in lifesaving activities. This may cover social or volunteer activities. Community members have no voting rights or only have access to SLSC benefits, such as coverage under the SLSA insurance policy, if they are performing a voluntary service at the direction of the club Some examples are participants in events such as Ocean Swims, Come and Try Days, Silver Salties**, Community Education Programs. **Silver Salties participants are covered by the SLSA Group Cover Personal Accident Insurance |
| 8 | Associate | Associate Member | May be granted by a Club to persons who may or may not hold an SLSA award. Associate Members shall not have Affiliated Club voting rights unless elected to office or position, which is provided with voting rights by the relevant Affiliated Club constitution. |
| 9 | Associate | Probationary Member | Shall be the designation of any person for the time period between applying for membership and the gaining of an award and/or the granting of a formal category membership by the appropriate Affiliated Club committee. Note: Probationary members are not Individual Members for the purposes of clauses 10 and 13 of the SLSA Constitution. |
| 10 | Associate | General Member | May be granted by a Club to persons who may or may not hold an SLSA award. General Members shall not have Affiliated Club voting rights unless elected to office or position which is provided with voting rights by the relevant Club constitution. |
| 11 | Associate | Leave Restricted | May be granted by a Club to members requesting absence away from their club and club duties for a period of time (eg deployment, work, pregnancy, travel etc). |
| 12 | Associate | Nipper Parent | Shall be a member who is a nipper parent or guardian who holds no other awards that would deem them to be in the Active or Award category. |
| 13 | Honorary and Service Membership | Long Service Member | May be granted by a Club to Members who have completed ten (10) years active service or to Members who have completed eight (8) years active service plus four (4) years reserve active service. Such Members may be exempted from all patrol obligations and may be granted other special privileges of Membership as provided in their Club constitutions. Should such Members join another Affiliated Club the receiving Affiliated Club shall determine if such Member’s Long Service shall be recognised by that Affiliated Club. |
| 14 | Honorary and Service Membership | Past Active Member | May be granted by an Affiliated Club to persons who have held an SLSA Bronze Medallion and been an active patrol member for a minimum of three (3) years. Past Active Members may have Club voting rights at the discretion of the Affiliated Club. |
| 15 | Honorary and Service Membership | Honorary Member | May be granted by a Club to persons who may or may not hold on SLSA award. |
| 16 | Honorary and Service Membership | Life Member | May be granted by the member’s Club to Members who have rendered distinguished, or special service as provided for in that Affiliated Club’s constitution and is relevant to that Club only. |