What ages are Nippers for, and how is my child's age group set?

Surf Life Saving Australia says Nippers is for children aged 5 to 14, organised into age groups from Under 6 to Under 13.

SLSA's age group factsheet (2021/22 edition, the latest found) says:

• Age groups are determined as at midnight on 30 September, and Under 6 is the group for children who have turned 5 by then.
• A child may join a club as soon as they turn five; clubs cannot accept a child's membership before that (insurance requirement).
• A child who turns five after 30 September can join at that time for the rest of the season, but stays in Under 6 again the following season.
• Proof of age (such as a birth certificate) must be sighted for every new child joining a club.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (2024/25 update, state example) allows a Nipper to move down age groups on Nipper days for social or developmental needs, but not for competition; the child must complete the Preliminary Evaluation for the age group they are entering. Moving up was not approved.

Sources: https://sls.com.au/nippers/ ; https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/Age-Groups-Preliminary-and-Competitions-Evaluations-Factsheet.pdf ; https://lifesaving.com.au/app/uploads/106.08.2024-2024.2025-Junior-Activities-Update.pdf