SLSA is Australia’s peak coastal water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority. With over 193,000 members of all age groups and demographics across 315 affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSCs), SLSA represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia.
Since SLSA was established in 1907, over 670,000 people have been rescued by volunteer surf lifesavers. Through its coastal safety, lifesaving, education, sport and recreation programs and services, SLSA also generates significant social and economic benefits for the Australian community each year. Its principal stakeholders are people using the Australian coastline and those directly or indirectly impacted by our actions.
SLSA is also the peak policy and decision-making body for the lifesaving movement that governs the many SLS affiliated branches in NSW and QLD and the 315 affiliated SLSCs in Australia, each with their own legal and reporting structures. As one of Australia’s largest volunteer organisations, SLSA depends on the contribution of its volunteer members for everything from patrolling beaches to providing input for the strategic direction for the SLS organisation. The SLSA Constitution identifies various SLS entities and committees with or without voting rights to provide advice and direction as they represent the SLS membership in Australia.
SLSA also aligns with two subsidiaries, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service providing helicopter services through their respective SLS state centres and the Surf Life Saving Foundation to undertake national fundraising on behalf of the movement.
The SLSA Board of Directors (SLSA Board) consists of the President of SLSA, seven appointed directors from each state and the Northern Territory, four independent directors and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SLSA.
Refer to the latest SLSA Annual Report and the SLSA Constitution for more information about SLSA, such as its key roles and responsibilities, governance, strategic direction, services and activities. You may also like to read the ‘The social and economical value of Surf Life Saving Australia’ publication from August 2020 to see what value your SLSC helps bring to the Australian community.