what is Surf Life Saving?

A beach scene with a woman in a yellow surf rescue jacket holding a red and yellow flag, standing on the sand near the water, with waves and a cloudy sky in the background.
A person wearing a yellow Qantas jacket and a red checked cap labeled 'Sunshine Coast' is standing on a beach at sunset, looking through binoculars.

What we do

Surf Life Saving is one of Australia’s largest volunteer movements, dedicated to keeping people safe in, on and around the water.

In Tasmania, Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) is the peak organisation for coastal safety, rescue and education — supporting communities to safely enjoy our beaches and waterways. Surf Life Saving Tasmania brings together volunteers, clubs, and services across the state to provide a network of lifesaving support.

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A woman in a yellow rescue uniform and red cap at the beach, holding a piece of rescue equipment, with ocean waves in the background.

A volunteer organisation

Surf Life Saving Tasmania is a not-for-profit organisation supported by:

  • Government funding

  • Community support

  • Corporate partnerships

  • Fundraising and donations

This support enables us to deliver lifesaving services and programs that benefit the Tasmanian community.

Since 1921, surf life saving in Tasmania has grown into a statewide network of dedicated volunteers, members and staff working together to save lives and strengthen communities.

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Our Services

Many of our services are delivered by trained volunteers who contribute their time, skills and commitment to keeping others safe.

  • A black diagram of a man and woman wearing a red and black cap.

    Volunteer beach patrols and emergency response

  • Icon of a swimmer with flags on each side, swimming in water.

    Community education and water safety programs

  • A black diagram of a buoy.

    Support for major events and public gatherings

  • A black diagram of a life jacket.

    Lifeguard services for councils, schools and community events

  • A black diagram of a running person wearing a red and yellow cap.

    Search and rescue support

Prevention, Education & Response

We work closely with emergency services, government and communities to reduce risk and respond when it matters most. Our work is focused on three key areas:

Diagram showing the relative strength of two competing forces with a diagonal scale between them, measuring from 0 to 100, with labels 'Force A' and 'Force B'.

Prevention

Helping people make safe decisions.

Icon of binoculars on a computer screen.

Education

Building skills and awareness.

Black silhouette of a person running with a circular speed indicator showing yellow and red segments to the right of the person's head.

Response

Supporting rescue and emergency services.

Get In touch

If you're interested in working with Surf Life Saving Tasmania or would like to learn more about opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Us