What water safety ratios apply for each age group?
Rule- Australia
- Surf Life Saving Australia
- Nippers
- Under 6-Under 13
- 2026/27
- Age managers
- Volunteers
SLSA's Water Safety Procedure (reviewed May 2026) does not set ratios by age group. It sets them by Surf Risk Rating for participants who do not hold a Surf Rescue Certificate, which includes junior members under 13. Ratios are water safety personnel to participants, and are minimums only:
- Low risk (SRR 1-8): 1 water safety person to 10 participants. Nipper Safety Assistants count at 1 to 5.
- Low-mid risk (9-15): 1 to 5.
- Moderate risk (16-20): 1 to 5.
- Moderate-high risk (21-24): 1 to 5.
- High (24-27) and extreme (28+): do not proceed.
Further rules:
- At least 75% of water safety personnel must be in the water using SLSA-approved rescue equipment.
- For mixed groups, apply the ratio for participants without a Surf Rescue Certificate.
- Junior preliminary swims: minimum 1 to 5.
- Adaptive or inclusive Nipper activities: recommended minimum 1 to 1; 2 to 1 or higher may be used after an assessment of abilities combined with a low-risk rating, at the Water Safety Supervisor's discretion and documented.
- Participants who hold a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion use the buddy procedure instead.
Source: https://sls.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/09/Policy-1.01A-Water-Safety-Procedure.pdf
Updated 24 Oct 2026