Pool Lifeguard's Guide to Royal Life Saving Pool Lifeguard Age 16+ 2026/27

• WA: you need the fitness, strength and speed to swim 25 m, tow a person 25 m and remove a patient from the water unassisted.
• SA: a medium to high level of aquatic fitness. Practical tests include a 25 m swim with a deep-water object retrieval and a 25 m tow, a lift test, 10 m swim and tow sequences, and spinal injury management in shallow water.

Sources: https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguard2day-82527 and https://sa.training.royallifesaving.com.au/calendar/pool-lifeguard/

The course is blended, with online learning first and then face-to-face training and assessment:

• WA (2-day): online training and assessment of about 12.5 hours (pre-reading, learning modules and knowledge-based assessments) plus 2 days (16 hours) of face-to-face training and assessment. Candidates need a computer and internet access for the eLearning portal.
• SA: theory (online modules and a workbook with scenarios and an incident report form), practical assessments and physical fitness testing. Online eLearning and assessments must be completed within 14 days of the face-to-face course, or the enrolment is cancelled.

Sources: https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguard2day-82527 and https://sa.training.royallifesaving.com.au/calendar/pool-lifeguard/

Fees are set by each Royal Life Saving state branch and differ:

• WA (2-day course): the listing shows $355 in its header and $339 in the course description. The 2-day course is not eligible for the Skills Ready program, which covers the 4-day course at no cost.
• SA (listing at Kimba, 26 to 27 October 2026): $215.
• Renewal in WA: $187. SA Pool Lifeguard Update (Kimba): $130.

Sources: https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguard2day-82527, https://sa.training.royallifesaving.com.au/calendar/pool-lifeguard/ and https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguardLicenceRenewal-82530

Successful candidates receive a Statement of Attainment for the Pool Lifeguard skill set SISSS00133, which covers:

• SISCAQU019 Supervise patron safety in aquatic locations
• SISCAQU020 Perform water rescues
• SISCAQU021 Perform complex water rescues
• SISCAQU022 Provide oxygen resuscitation and therapy in an aquatic environment

In WA, certificates can take up to 10 working days to arrive, and a current HLTAID011 first aid certification is required at the time of licence application.

Source: https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguard2day-82527

Royal Life Saving WA states that Pool Lifeguard Awards are valid for one year from the date of your assessment, and that requalification of your Pool Lifeguard licence is an annual requirement. Royal Life Saving NT likewise lists the award as valid for 1 year from the date of the original course.

Royal Life Saving SA's update course requires a Pool Lifeguard certificate completed within the previous 15 months.

Sources: https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguardLicenceRenewal-82530, https://nt.training.royallifesaving.com.au/course-list/ and https://sa.training.royallifesaving.com.au/calendar/pool-lifeguard-update/

Royal Life Saving WA lists a Pool Lifeguard Licence Renewal course (PLG003). The prerequisite is a Pool Lifeguard qualification. It is a 6-hour course delivered online and face to face, and costs $187. Successful candidates receive a Pool Lifeguard Licence, and the certificate can take up to 10 working days to arrive.

Royal Life Saving WA also states that a current HLTAID011 Provide first aid certification is required at the time of licence application.

Sources: https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguardLicenceRenewal-82530 and https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguard2day-82527

South Australia (Pool Lifeguard Update, Royal Life Saving SA, listing at Kimba, 27 October 2026):

• A current Pool Lifeguard certificate completed within the previous 15 months.
• A current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certificate, and age 16 or over at the time of the course.
• Online modules plus a short workbook with scenarios and an incident report form, then a one-day practical session (9:00 am to 5:00 pm), $130.
• Practical tasks: swim 25 m, retrieve an object from the deepest water and tow an unconscious swimmer 25 m; a lift test; a 10 m swim followed by a 10 m tow; and spinal injury management for a breathing swimmer in shallow water.

Northern Territory (Pool Lifeguard Update, Royal Life Saving NT):

• A current Royal Life Saving Pool Lifeguard qualification and a current First Aid qualification.
• HLTAID011 or HLTAID012 completed within the last 12 years.
• HLTAID009 completed within the last 6 months.
• Copies of your qualifications submitted to the Training Manager before attending.

Sources: https://sa.training.royallifesaving.com.au/calendar/pool-lifeguard-update/ and https://nt.training.royallifesaving.com.au/course-list/