POSITION STATEMENT ON REACCREDITATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY LOCKDOWNS
A new position statement on ongoing reaccreditation and licensing requirements for key aquatic industry positions has been released by the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA) and the National Aquatic Industry Committee (NAIC).
The statement recognises that the aquatic industry has been deeply affected by COVID-19 lockdowns which mandated the closure of public and learn-to-swim aquatic facilities.
It provides owners and operators of aquatic facilities with certainty on rostering aquatic industry staff whose reaccreditation and/or licence renewal for key qualifications has been affected by recent lockdowns.
RJ Houston, National Manager of Aquatics for RLSSA and Chair of the NAIC, welcomed the statement.
“This nationally agreed guidance gives the aquatic industry sector confidence in managing the risks associated with disruptions to the availability of reaccreditation and license renewal processes for key service staff,” Mr Houston said.
“With several Registered Training Organisations all providing services to staff across the industry, the Committee felt it was prudent to develop a consistent approach as soon as possible to create certainty for affected aquatic facility staff and management.”
Frontline employees have been the most financially vulnerable to lockdowns and the committee expressed significant concern for those workers, the majority of whom are classed as casual. The intent of the position statement is to ensure aquatic industry workers can get reaccredited and/or licensed when facilities reopen.
The position statement can be viewed here
The Australian Government has a longstanding agreement with RLSSA to provide services on behalf of the Australian aquatic industry. Specifically, RLSSA established the NAIC to lead the research, review and development of the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO). The GSPO is intended to be a best practice guide for managers, lifeguards, instructors and others working in the industry on the safe operation of aquatic locations.
The NAIC has the goal of strengthening the health, safety and viability of aquatic facility ownership and operations across Australia. More information including who is on the NAIC can be found here: https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/Aquatic-Risk-and-Guidelines/aquatic-industry/national-aquatic-industry-committee
RLSSA’s research, education and advocacy work in drowning prevention and water safety is supported by the Australian Government.
