NP4 - Policy Framework
| Issue Date | Effective Date | Version |
|---|---|---|
| 12/06/2021 | 12/12/2024 | 2.0 |
Purpose
The Australian Aquatic Industry involves a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework that pertains to the breadth of activities in and around aquatic facilities. These include functions and responsibilities in health, training, education, sport, workplace health and safety, rescue, first aid and facility management.
A complex web of standards, regulations, codes of practice and guidelines outline best practice in aquatic safety, with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) providing for the legal duty to take reasonable care to safeguard the health and safety of all persons working in or attending aquatic facilities. Additional duties are imposed by Public Health regulations, standards and guidelines in each state and territory, and various other legal duties are applicable covered in the criminal codes and common law.
The Australian Government has an established agreement with RLSSA to provide services on behalf of the Australian Aquatic Industry. Specifically within this agreement, RLSSA is to develop and maintain a National Aquatic Industry Safety Framework which assists aquatic facility owners, operators, and regulatory authorities to interpret these frameworks, regulations and standards to aquatic facilities, especially through the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations and the National Aquatic Facility Safety Assessment system which are intended to provide a best practice guide to aquatic facility owners, operators and staff to the safe operation of aquatic facilities nationwide.
As part of this agreement RLSSA shall maintain a comprehensive up to date register of relevant industry policies and standards for Aquatic Safety. These include but are not limited to:
- National and state/territory legislation and regulations
- International and Australian Standards
- Building Code of Australia
- Safe Work Australia’s Codes of Practice
- Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines
- Australian Quality Training Framework
References
RLSSA / Australian Government Agreement
NAIC Terms of Reference
