CASUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Casual employment with Surf Life Saving SA offers a flexible and rewarding way to build experience, develop practical skills and contribute to safer communities. Opportunities are available across lifeguarding, training and assessment, water safety education and community programs, with roles suited to different ages, qualifications, experience levels and availability. Explore the pathways below to find an opportunity that suits you.
Casual Trainer & Assessor
What is it?
Casual Trainers and Assessors are an important part of the Surf Life Saving education team, delivering and assessing nationally accredited education across South Australia through SLSSA’s training network. You’ll primarily focus on essential qualifications such as First Aid, CPR, Pool Lifeguard and the SA Boat Licence, helping uphold high education standards and develop safe, confident and capable participants. Whether working at a local club or across the broader state network, you’ll remain active in the aquatic industry while supporting the next generation of lifesavers.
What are the requirements?
Minimum age of xx
Hold a TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, or equivalent
Hold Pool Lifeguard and First Aid qualifications
Hold a valid Working with Children Check
Hold a valid National Police Check
Will I need to get wet? Occasionally
Australian Lifeguard Service
What is it?
The Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) is the professional lifeguard arm of Surf Life Saving, delivering pro-active beach patrols and aquatic safety services for councils, land managers and events. As a paid lifeguard, you'll protect coastal communities while gaining practical experience and nationally recognised qualifications.
What are the requirements?
Minimum age of ?
Hold a SLSA Bronze Medallion
Hold a Provide First Aid HLTAID011
Hold an Advanced Resuscitation Techniques award
Have a current driver's License
Hold a National Police Check
Hold a Working with Children Check
Be able to swim 400m in 8 minutes or under
Will I need to get wet? Yes
VACSWIM
What is it?
VACSWIM offers an exciting opportunity to get involved as a:
Volunteer (13 years+)
Assistant Instructor (15 years+)
Instructor (16 years+)
Instructor in Charge (18 years+)
Working with children aged 3 to 15 years, this summer school holiday program runs across four five-day blocks in December and January, giving you flexibility to choose when and where you’d like to work, with more than 120 locations across the state. You’ll develop leadership and teaching skills, gain valuable experience in water safety education and make a real difference in the community. VACSWIM can even be completed as a working holiday - a unique way to travel, meet new people and contribute to saving lives.
For more information visit vacswimsa.com.au/employment
Where can it lead?
The pathway progresses from Volunteer to Assistant Instructor, Instructor and Instructor in Charge as your age, experience and qualifications increase.
What are the requirements?
Volunteer: Working with Children Check & Safeguarding Children & Young People in Sport
Assistant Instructor: Volunteer prerequisites plus a rescue qualification (e.g. Community Surf Rescue)
Instructor: Assistant Instructor prerequisites plus a teaching qualification (e.g. Accredited Age Group Manager or AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety)
Instructor in Charge: Instructor prerequisites plus Provide First Aid and a Police Record Check
Will I need to get wet? Yes
Surf Babies Staff
What is it?
Surf Babies staff help children aged 1 to 5 and their parents build confidence and familiarity with the water through safe, supportive and play-based activities. You can contribute as a Volunteer, Assistant Instructor, Instructor or Instructor in Charge, depending on your age and qualifications.
Surf Babies offers an exciting opportunity to get involved as a
Volunteer (13 years+)
Assistant Instructor (15 years+)
Instructor (16 years+)
Instructor in Charge (18 years+)
The program introduces children aged 1 to 5 and their parents to the water in a safe, supportive and fun way, building confidence through gentle, play-based activities such as splashing, kicking and smiling their way to water familiarity. Running across two six-week blocks from November to December and February to March, the program offers flexibility for families and instructors alike. It’s a hands-on, rewarding role for anyone who loves working with toddlers, supporting parents and sharing the joy of water safety from the very beginning.
Where can it lead?
The pathway progresses from Volunteer to Assistant Instructor, Instructor and Instructor in Charge as your age, experience and qualifications increase.
What are the requirements?
Minimum age of xx
Volunteer: Working with Children Check & Safeguarding Children & Young People in Sport
Assistant Instructor: Volunteer prerequisites plus a rescue qualification (e.g. Community Surf Rescue)
Instructor: Assistant Instructor prerequisites plus a teaching qualification (e.g. Accredited Age Group Manager or AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety)
Instructor in Charge: Instructor prerequisites plus Provide First Aid and a Police Record Check
Will I need to get wet? Yes
Multicultural Program Staff
The Multicultural Team delivers inclusive water safety programs across South Australia, reaching children and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds. From six-week courses and one-off sessions to tailored programs for international students and outreach visits to the APY Lands, the team makes water safety accessible and welcoming in both beach and pool environments. You’ll help break down barriers, build water confidence and support communities with limited prior exposure to aquatic environments, while receiving cultural awareness training to ensure this vital work is delivered with respect and understanding.
What are the requirements:
Minimum age of xx
Volunteer: Working with Children Check & Safeguarding Children & Young People in Sport
Assistant Instructor: Volunteer prerequisites plus a rescue qualification (e.g. Community Surf Rescue)
Instructor: Assistant Instructor prerequisites plus a teaching qualification (e.g. Accredited Age Group Manager or AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety)
Instructor in Charge: Instructor prerequisites plus Provide First Aid and a Police Record Check
Will I need to get wet? Yes
Surf education instructor
What is it?
Surf Education Instructors deliver age-appropriate beach safety, surf awareness and basic rescue education to Nippers and new members. You may lead activities on the sand, support water safety and teach topics such as rips, sun safety and surf signals while helping participants build confidence and teamwork. Training is provided, and you don’t need to be an expert - just enthusiastic, reliable, and passionate about beach safety and education.
What are the requirements?
Hold current Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) training
Hold a current Working with Children Check
Hold a Community Surf Rescue Certificate or Surf Rescue Certificate
Hold Provide First Aid
Hold current resuscitation and asthma first aid training
Complete the following surf education activity qualifications through a recognised provider:
One course from the Surf Education Activity Qualification A list
One course from the Surf Education Activity Qualification B list
Will I need to get wet? Yes
Ready to start your journey?
Find a club
Click here to find a club near you!
Contact us
If you have any further inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us via slssa.reception@surflifesavingsa.com.au or by calling 8354 6900 during office hours.