Published 22 May 2024
Royal Life Saving Australia, with the support of the National Aquatic Industry Committee, has launched two pivotal resources to increase community safety by strengthening the aquatic industry workforce and improving industry standards and practices.
The National Aquatic Workforce Framework (Draft) and the Safe Places to Swim: The State of Safety at Australian Aquatic Facilities Report provide comprehensive insights and guidance to enhance safety and professionalism in aquatic environments across Australia.
Royal Life Saving Australia General Manager - Capability & Industry RJ Houston said the launch of these resources marks a significant step forward in ongoing efforts to ensure a safer and more capable aquatic industry.
"By providing clear evidence-informed and industry-endorsed frameworks and detailed industry analysis, we aim to empower stakeholders to implement best practices that significantly enhance public safety and improve industry standards, thereby strengthening the sector's reputation.
"We encourage feedback from the industry stakeholders on the draft framework as this input will be crucial in refining approaches and ensuring that resources meet the evolving needs of the aquatic industry," said Mr Houston.
The National Aquatic Workforce Framework (Draft) aims to improve the industry's attractiveness, clarify career opportunities, and standardise safety outcomes. It was shaped by insights from four national symposia and extensive research.
The Framework was developed in response to the Australian Water Safety Strategy's calls for enhanced career pathways and professional development in roles such as swimming and water safety teacher, pool lifeguard, duty manager and customer service officer.
Belgravia Leisure Chief Executive Officer Nick Cox and other key aquatic industry stakeholders have voiced their support for the Framework, which specifically targets roles crucial to water safety and drowning prevention and offers guidelines to enhance workforce capabilities and leadership within the sector.
"As a major employer in the aquatic industry, Belgravia Leisure supports the Framework's objectives of highlighting and advocating a variety of career pathways offered in aquatic facilities.
"The framework offers a structured and consistent approach to how the sector thinks about developing its people as well as a resource that those considering a job in the sector can pick up to better understand the opportunities on offer, and that's something that we proudly support," said Mr Cox.
Safe Places to Swim: The State of Safety at Australian Aquatic Facilities report underscores the industry's significant role in Australian wellbeing while presenting key findings on safety performance, key initiatives, and trends that illustrate the industry's ongoing need for commitment to ensuring safety at aquatic facilities.
With statistics from 2023 showing six drowning deaths, 18 non-fatal drowning incidents, and over 7,800 rescues at Australian aquatic facilities, the report highlights the need for continued improvements in safety standards adherence.
This includes measuring and benchmarking safety conformance by increasing the number of facilities that undergo routine safety assessments with Royal Life Saving, further professionalising staff training, and universally implementing child supervision programs.
"Public pools are vitally important community assets that provide essential opportunities for social connection, physical and mental health benefits, swimming lessons, and recreational enjoyment to all Australians," said Leisure Institute of Western Australia Aquatics (LIWA) Executive Officer Steve Good.
"Industry groups and peak bodies like LIWA Aquatics are dedicated to ensuring these facilities are safe and welcoming for everyone, and we strongly encourage all Aquatic Facility owners, operators, and staff to adopt the recommendations of this report and commit to maintaining safer public pools nationwide."
Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the National Aquatic Workforce Framework (DRAFT), by completing the online form by Monday 24 June 2024.
Access and Further Information:
For more details on the National Aquatic Workforce Framework and the Safe Places to Swim: The State of Safety at Australian Aquatic Facilities report and to provide feedback, please visit:
National Aquatic Workforce Framework (DRAFT): https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/training-development/careers-focus/national-aquatic-workforce-framework
Safe Places to Swim: The State of Safety at Australian Aquatic Facilities: https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/Aquatic-Risk-and-Guidelines/aquatic-research/state-of-safety-at-aquatic-facilities/
