child safe

A young swimmer in a yellow swim shirt and blue swim cap practicing open water swimming in rough waters, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Keeping children & young people safe

Surf Life Saving Tasmania is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all children and young people involved in Surf Life Saving.

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a priority across all our clubs, programs and activities.

Read Our National Approach

What is a child safe approach?

Our Child Safe approach helps ensure that children and young people are protected from harm and supported to participate safely. It includes:

  • Clear standards for safe and respectful behaviour

  • Training and resources for members and volunteers

  • Processes to identify, manage and reduce risks

  • Systems for reporting and responding to concerns

We work closely with our clubs and units to ensure these practices are consistently applied across the organisation.

How we support safe environments

  • Close-up of a young male swimmer wearing a red and yellow swim cap, peering out from behind a pillar, with water on his face and arm, showing concentration.

    Our Commitment

    Surf Life Saving Tasmania is committed to creating an environment where every child and young person feels:

    • Safe

    • Respected

    • Included

    • Supported

    Read SLSA Commitment Statement
  • A female surf rescue worker with fair skin and blonde hair, wearing a red cap and yellow rescue uniform, standing on a beach near the ocean, engaged in a conversation.

    How we support safe environments

    We support clubs and members to create safe environments through:

    • An organisation-wide Child Safe Policy and statement of commitment 

    • Codes of conduct that set clear expectations

    • Screening and training for members and volunteers

    • Education to recognise and respond to concerns

    • Clear reporting processes for incidents

    • Ongoing communication and awareness

    • Strategies to identify and remove risks

    Resources, training and guidance are available to support clubs and units to achieve these standards.

  • Female beach volleyball player diving in sand, wearing a white and maroon cap and neon yellow sportswear, during a match with other players in the background.

    Report a concern

    Have a concern about a child’s safety? If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm or danger, please contact Police - call 000.

    If you are a victim of abuse or child abuse, or concerned about someone else being abused, please contact the Police Assistance Line on 13 14 44.

    Report a Concern to SLST
  • A female surf rescue worker with fair skin and blonde hair, wearing a red cap and yellow rescue uniform, standing on a beach near the ocean, engaged in a conversation.

    Volunteering with Young People

    All Surf Life Saving Tasmania members aged 18 and over must hold a current Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP). Members aged 16–17 also require an RWVP if they work directly with children or young people, such as in Nippers support roles (e.g. Age Manager or Water Safety Assistant).

    This applies to:

    • All members aged 18+

    • Members aged 16–17 working directly with children and young people

    RWVP registration (external)
  • A woman is giving a presentation on incident reporting to a group of people in a training room, with photos on a bulletin board behind her and shelves with various items.

    Child Safe Awareness Training

    In addition to RWVP registration, all members working directly with children and young people are required to complete a Child Safe Awareness training with Surf Life Saving. 

    This helps ensure they:

    • Understand their responsibilities

    • Can recognise concerns

    • Know how to respond appropriately

  • A young woman wearing a yellow shirt , standing outdoors during overcast weather. She has a serious expression and a red strap over her shoulder. There are other people dressed similarly in the background.

    Child Safe Resources

    The Guidelines assist all Surf Life Saving clubs and members to meet their obligations relating to children and young people.

    View Child Safe Policy (PDF)

    View Child Safe Guidelines (PDF)

    View Commitment Statement (PDF)

    Child Safe Guidelines
  • A man wearing sunglasses, a white cap with green accents and text, a white hoodie, and a yellow safety vest is holding a green object in his raised right hand, with a light blue sky in the background.

    Play By The Rules

    Play by the Rules is a unique national partnership between sporting organisations, non-profits, state and federal government agencies and academics.  

    Play by the Rules provides information and resources for community sport and recreation on how to:

    • Prevent and respond to discrimination, harassment and abuse

    • Create safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for participation.

    Learn More
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