To be employed as a lifeguard there are a few key qualifications that you will need to hold.

The first and most important qualification is a pool lifeguard certificate.

To obtain this certificate you will need to complete a two-day course through Life Saving Victoria. This course will teach you all the key factors of being a lifeguard, including:

• providing emergency care,
• administering oxygen in an emergency,
• performing both basic and advanced water rescues, and
• supervising clients in an aquatic environment.

The next qualifications that will enable you to work as a pool lifeguard are HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid and a CPR certificate.

These two qualifications will teach you a range of essential first aid responses to a variety of situations that you may encounter and can both generally be completed within the same course.

These courses can be completed through multiple providers such as Life Saving Victoria or St John's Ambulance.

In conjunction with your pool lifeguard and first aid qualifications, you will also need to hold a current Working with Children’s Check - WWCC (employer) and a National Police Check.

You can gain your WWCC either online through the Victorian Government’s website or at your local Australia Post. To obtain your police check you can go through various government bodies such as Victoria Police, Services Victoria, or Australia Post.

As a pool lifeguard, you will gain a host of new skills that you will use every day whilst on duty.

Communication skills are one of the most important skills a lifeguard has at their disposal. Interacting with colleagues over radio, use of hand signals and whistles are all tools of the trade.

You’ll meet a lot of new people. Interacting with colleagues and patrons alike will naturally build your interpersonal skills, alongside customer service elements that the job requires.

Lifeguarding will boost your self-confidence. Following centre rules is important in running an aquatic centre safely, and being assertive in voicing these rules to patrons is important. A Duty Manager is always available to provide support in achieving this.

In closing, becoming a lifeguard is a rewarding experience that offers many transferable skills and opportunities outside of the lifeguard role.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a lifeguard with us, we are recruiting now!
View the Position Description and application details on Council's Careers page [opens external site].

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