RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY
Royal Life saving unifies drowning prevention efforts through research, advocacy and stakeholder collaboration
EDUCATION
Royal Life saving provides water safety education for the community, to ensure everyone knows how to participate safely around water.
SWIM TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
Royal Life Saving supports swim teachers and schools with training, resources, and national standards to deliver safe, effective, and inclusive aquatic education.
LEARN TO SWIM
Royal Life Saving’s Learn to Swim programs build vital water safety and swimming skills that help prevent drowning and support lifelong confidence in the water.
Workforce development
Royal Life Saving brings stakeholders together to unify efforts, share expertise and deliver impactful solutions.
COURSES
Royal Life Saving offers a wide range of training courses suitable for community members and all levels of aquatic industry professionals.
LIFESAVING PROGRAMS
Royal Life Saving’s programs build rescue and resuscitation skills to help individuals respond confidently in aquatic emergencies.
LIFESAVING SPORT
Royal Life Saving offers members the opportunity to participate in Pool Lifesaving Sport at all skill levels.
ROYAL LIFE SAVING
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Bronze
Participating in lifesaving-sport training, being a volunteer in club events, learning skills (e.g. lifesaving rescue, first aid, rescue techniques) via RLSNSW-approved courses.
Silver
More advanced lifesaving sport or leadership roles, officiating, coaching, more responsible volunteer tasks.
Gold
Potential participation in representative lifesaving teams, leadership or supervisory roles, major adventure/adventurous journey organised through RLSNSW or partner clubs.
Duke 4 Sport
Are you Ready to build your skills?
Background
The Duke 4 Sport initiative is Royal Life Saving’s pathway for young people to complete the internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through lifesaving activities. It provides opportunities for participants aged 14–24 to engage in swimming, lifesaving sport, skill development, and volunteering that count towards the Physical Recreation, Skills, and Voluntary Service sections of their Award. By linking aquatic and lifesaving programs with the Duke of Ed framework, it gives participants the chance to build lifelong skills while making a meaningful contribution to their community.
This program highlights lifesaving not only as a physical pursuit but also as a discipline that develops resilience, leadership, and teamwork. Whether through Pool Lifesaving Sport, Junior Lifesavers, first aid and rescue training, or community volunteering, young people are supported to achieve their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award levels. The result is a pathway that celebrates individual achievement while promoting safety, service, and the spirit of giving back.
Benefits of Duke 4 Sport
Participants enjoy multiple benefits including:
Enables young people to complete Duke of Ed Award sections through lifesaving activities.
Builds swimming, rescue, first aid, and leadership skills.
Encourages teamwork, resilience, and service to the community.
Provides flexible options in both physical and skill-based activities.
Strengthens links between youth, lifesaving clubs, and aquatic organisations.
Promotes long-term engagement in volunteering and aquatic safety.
Our Partners
We work with a wide network of Partners to make Duke 4 Sport accessible across schools, clubs, and aquatic organisations. Through Sport NSW and the Duke 4 Sport partnership, Royal Life Saving programs are officially recognised as eligible activities within the Award framework. This collaboration ensures young people can seamlessly integrate lifesaving into their Duke of Ed journey while clubs and organisations benefit from attracting new participants, developing volunteers, and promoting community safety.
