Frequently Asked Questions

Lifesavers rescuing a boy from the surf

Have a question for SLSF? Read our FAQs to see if we've answered it here

Our team are constantly adding to the list, so there is a good chance that you will find the information you are looking for. However if you can't, please feel free to get in touch with our team.
The Surf Life Saving Foundation (SLSF) is the fundraising arm of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). SLSA is Australia’s peak authority on beach safety, drowning prevention and rescue.

The SLSF was established to support our unique not-for-profit community cause that exists through community donations, fundraising, corporate sponsorships and government grants.

With over 180,000 members and 315 affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs, SLS represents the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia, and the world.
A gift of a fixed percentage of your estate (often known as a “proportional legacy”) allows you to nominate a specific percentage of your estate to the Surf Life Saving Foundation. A legacy of this kind does not depend on your estate being of any set value or size and it is flexible enough to allow for changes in the composition of your assets or financial situation. No matter how your estate changes, whether it grows or decreases in value, your decision as to the proportions will always remain the same.

The correct wording for such a gift is: “I [Your Name] give and bequeath to the Surf Life Saving Foundation, free of all duties, ___% of my estate and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other Proper Officer of the Foundation shall be sufficient discharge to my Executor for the Bequest which is to be applied to the general purposes of the Surf Life Saving Foundation”
The Surf Life Saving Foundation distributes funds raised through your donations to support Surf Life Saving Branches and Clubs around the country. Your donations are predominantly used by Surf Life Saving to:

- Maintain and replace lifesaving rescue equipment
- Enhance the training and development programs for volunteer surf lifesavers
- Expand community surf safety campaigns
- Fund aquatic safety research and development
- Continue to provide support services including communications networks, aerial patrols and powered watercraft
Absolutely! Every single donation you make helps us to save more lives on the beach.

Every year millions of people visit our beaches, and thousands of these visitors find themselves in urgent need of a life saving rescue. This is what we are here for, to keep your family and friends safe in the water.

Your support today will ensure that millions of adults and children who visit the beach go home safely.
Australia and its related islands have over 11,500 beaches dispersed along more than 50,000km of coastline, attracting an estimated 500+ million visits every year. Our volunteer surf lifesavers are always kept busy. We have over 180,000 volunteers from over 315 different surf clubs across Australia, and with the help of your generous donations, they make sure that Australia has some of the safest beaches in the world.

Did you know?
- It costs at least $850 to train a new volunteer to Bronze Medallion standard. Surf lifesavers are trained in First Aid, CPR and rescue techniques. Importantly, all of our lifesavers must continue to refresh and update their skills.

- Rescue gear and equipment are some of the largest costs associated with providing lifesaving services throughout Australia. A full life saving patrol can cost up to $80,000.

- Prevention is better than cure, and the best way to save lives at the beach is by teaching people how to stay out of danger. We run campaigns on how to spot rips and what to do if you are caught in one (swim parallel to the shore!).

No matter what area your donation goes towards, you can be sure that it will make a vital contribution to saving lives.
The Surf Life Saving Foundation (SLSF) may collect your personal information to communicate information and offers from SLSF and to provide SLSF products and services directly.

By providing your personal information, you agree it will be disclosed to and used by the SLSF under the terms of this statement and the SLSF Privacy Policy.

SLSF may disclose your personal information to other parties, including SLSF third party service providers. SLSF may use and disclose your personal information for direct marketing purposes, unless you opt out (which you can do at any time in accordance with the SLSF Privacy Policy).
Yes, the Surf Life Saving Foundation constitution contains information regarding the SLSF, its Members, Board, Directors, procedures and by-laws. Download the file to access the Surf Life Saving Constitution in full.
The SLSF Board continues as the Trustees of the Surf Life Saving Rescue Fund Trust. The Trust was established in 2002 to provide an additional and more assured ongoing source of funding for the movement. 
To change your subscription, please contact our customer care team by phone (1800 642 925) during business hours (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.00pm) or by email.

To cancel your subscription, please contact our customer care team by phone (1800 642 925) during business hours (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.00pm).

Some emails that you will receive from SLS relating to your account, purchases or donations are required to be sent to your email address. You can, however, control what you receive from us by updating your marketing communication preferences. To do so, please contact our customer care team by phone (1800 642 925) or by email.
Surf Life Saving takes the security of its supporter and membership data very seriously, in many cases this is also the personal information of many of the staff that work here and we therefore have a vested interest. All data security is under constant review both internally and with external security consultants. Surf Life Saving is also compliant for the DSS PCI compliance for the processing of Credit Card transactions, and we are happy to provide a copy of our assertation of compliance to anyone who requests it.

Guardians of the Surf

Your monthly donation will help train new surf lifesavers, improve the skills of our current volunteers and help us replace equipment that is constantly exposed to the harsh Australian conditions.

Become a Guardian of the Surf