The following information regarding proficiency was extracted from the Surf Life Saving NSW 2011 Pre-Season Information Pack and was current at the time of publication.
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) is obligated under Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) policy to ensure that all active lifesaving personnel complete an annual proficiency test under the direction of an SLSNSW Assessor. This is to prove competency in the lifesaving award/s they hold and wish to remain current in.
A member's proficiency is valid until the 31st December each year unless otherwise stated. This means that any member who is not proficient by the 31st December, or has not completed appropriate awards shall not be allowed to:
- Perform patrols
- Operatore rescue craft
- Compete in surf life saving competitions
In addition, the National Education Committee resolved in November 2010 that if a member remains non-proficient in any award for a period of three continuous years or more, then they are required to either sit an in-depth proficiency, a full assessment, or be retrained in order to be considered proficeint in the award.
Proficiency tests may be conducted after 31st December under the requirements/approval of the SLSNSW/Branch. Any member completing their proficiency after 31st January each season shall be eligible to patrol but shall not be permitted to participate in any SLSA Championship competition until 1 May later in that year.
Branch Directors of Lifesaving may include additional checks in cases where there is doubt of a member's proficiency in aspects of another award.
A member may be requested to complete an additional proficiency check by their Club, Branch or SLSNSW delegate. A member who fails a proficiency check at anytime during the season is deemed to be non-proficient until such times as another proficiency check is completed successfully. Further, this member cannot participate in patrol activities or compete at carnivals until the proficiency check has been completed successfully.
For award specific proficiency requirements, see the Surf Life Saving Training course descriptions.