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Frequently Asked Questions

Lifesavers rescuing a boy from the surf

Have a question for Surf Life Saving? 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.
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About the Surf Life Saving Foundation to Surf Life Saving Australia transition

These FAQs relate specifically to our transition from the Surf Life Saving Foundation (SLSF) to Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). During this period, you may notice some temporary changes or mixed references across our materials. The FAQs below outline what is changing, the timelines involved, and how your donations will continue to be managed securely. Please be assured that the purpose and impact of your donation remain unchanged.

The Surf Life Saving Foundation (SLSF) is transitioning into Surf Life Saving Australia's (SLSA) core operations. SLSF was always a part of SLSA but just operated separately.

This brings our national fundraising activities together under one structure.

Importantly, this does not change how your donation is used. Your support continues to fund vital lifesaving services, training, equipment and coastal safety initiatives across Australia.

No. That earlier transition remains in place.

What's happening now is an internal alignment of fundraising operations nationally. Your donations will continue to support Surf Life Saving operations both nationally and in Western Australia.

You will continue to receive WA-focused stories and updates so you can the impact your generosity is having on West Aussie beaches.

From around 3 March 2026, you may notice a small change to how donations appear on your bank statement (see below). This is a reference name change only. Your support continues as normal.

For those making a donation via credit card, you will notice a change from SLSF Donations to SLS Donations on your bank statement, reflecting the transition.

For those making a donation via direct debit, you will notice a change from SLS_Foundation to SLS Donations on your bank statement, reflecting the transition.

For those making a donation via direct deposit, you will notice a change from SLS_Foundation to SLSA Donations on your bank statement, reflecting the transition.

We are streamlining our national fundraising operations to improve efficiency, and deliver greater impact for frontline lifesaving services.

Some updates, including Privacy Policy updates and statement reference changes, will begin from around 3 March 2026. Changes will continue rolling out to June 2026, when all materials will reflect SLSA branding.

Our friendly Supporter Services team remains available on 1800 642 925.
Our email address is now: [email protected].

No action is required. Your donations and supporter account will continue seamlessly.

You only need to take action if you plan to make future donations by bank transfer.

If so, please use our updated details:

Account Name: Surf Life Saving Australia Limited

BSB: 032-143 

Account Number: 565515

We will keep our previous bank account open for a period of time to continue a smooth transition. 

Thank you for your continued support.

Yes. Your personal information remains secure.

This transition does not change how we collect, store or protect your data. All information continues to be managed in accordance with SLSA's Privacy Policy and Australian privacy laws.

No.

Whether you're a regular giver through our Guardians of the Surf program, or have made a one‑off donation, your contribution continues to fund vital lifesaving services, equipment, training and coastal safety research and initiatives across Australia.

The purpose and impact of your donation remains unchanged.

Yes. If you are making a new bank transfer donation, please use:

Account Name: Surf Life Saving Australia Limited

BSB: 032-143   Account Number: 565515

If you recently donated using our previous account details, your donation is safe. We are keeping that account open temporarily to ensure all transfers are received.

You may notice a small change to how payments appear on your bank or credit card statement. The way your donation is processed has not changed – only the reference name.

From 3 March 2026 - Single (one-off) donations

For those making a donation via credit card, you'll notice a change from SLSF Donations to SLS Donations on your bank statement, reflecting the transition.

For those making a donation via direct deposit, you'll notice a change from SLS_Foundation to SLSA Donations on your bank statement, reflecting the transition.

From 3 June 2026 - Guardians of the Surf (Regular Givers)

For those making a donation via credit card, you'll notice a change from SLSF Donations to SLS Donations on your bank statement, reflecting the transition.

For those making a donation via direct debit, you'll notice a change from SLS_Foundation to SLS Donations on your bank statement, reflecting the transition.

No. This change will happen automatically, and no action is required from you.

No, there will be no change to your regular debit date if you are a regular giver as part of our Guardians of the Surf program.

No. Donations of $2 AUD or more remain tax-deductible (excluding Surf Life Saving Lottery ticket purchases).

Because of this year's transition, regular givers will receive two receipts for this financial year:

- one from Surf Life Saving Foundation (SLSF) for donations made before the transition, and

- one from Surf Life Saving Australia Limited for donations made after the transition.

Both receipts can be used when completing your tax return.

If your Workplace Giving contributions are set up via Good2Give or the GoodCompany, your contributions will continue without interruption.

If you make your contributions directly (via your own bank transfer), we would appreciate it if you could update our bank account details at your earliest convenience. Our updated details for Workplace Giving contributions are:

Account Name: Surf Life Saving Australia Limited

BSB: 032‑143    Account Number: 565507

Please note that we will keep our existing bank account open for a period of time to allow for a smooth transition. We will also continue to remind you through direct service communications. Thank you for your ongoing support.

No. Our website is being refreshed and is now called Surf Life Saving Giving to transparently reflect our transition from the Surf Life Saving Foundation to Surf Life Saving Australia. This update is planned and intentional. There has been no security issue.

You can update your communication preferences, ask questions, or opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting Supporter Services on 1800 642 925.

Yes. The Surf Life Saving Foundation (SLSF) is becoming part of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA)’s core operations, and this impacts all fundraising efforts, including Surf Life Saving Lotteries. This is an administrative change only and will not affect how the lotteries run or how your support helps save lives.

Starting with Lottery 236 (opening 3 June 2026), Surf Life Saving Lotteries too will operate within SLSA. Whether you’ve purchased single tickets in the past or you’re a Champions Club member, everything will continue as normal.

Single‑ticket supporters: 

  • You can continue to purchase tickets and participate in all future draws exactly as you do now.

Champions Club members: 

  • Your membership remains active and unchanged.
  • You will continue to receive tickets in all six major prize home draws each year.
  • You will still enjoy access to exclusive member‑only draws, including birthday draws and special promotions.
  • If you pay by direct debit, you may notice a small change to how your payments appear on your bank statement. From 3 June your payments will appear as SLSA.
  • No action is required from you.

This change simply aligns our national fundraising operations and helps strengthen support for frontline surf lifesaving services across Australia.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Surf Life Saving Lotteries — every ticket you purchase helps save lives on our beaches.

Fundraising Frequently Asked Questions

Surf Life Saving Giving is the national fundraising business unit of Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). It operates as a registered business name of SLSA, and exists to stregthen Surf Life Saving's ability to train volunteers, equip clubs and deliver lifesaving services across Australia.
All donations made through Surf Life Saving Giving are received and administered by Surf Life Saving Australia under its ABN and governance framework.

This ensures funds are managed with full transparency, accountability, and national oversight.
Funds raised nationally are distributed annually by Surf Life Saving Australia to Surf Life Saving State Centres in alignment with national strategy and agreed priorities.

State Centres then allocate funding to support frontline capability within their jurisdictions, including training, equipment, and operational needs across clubs and services.
Your donation may help fund:
  • Lifesaving rescue equipment and patrol gear
  • Volunteer training and accreditation
  • Beach safety and community education programs
  • Research and innovation in drowning prevention
  • National coordination and operational capability
Every contribution strengthens Surf Life Saving's mission to turn the tide on coastal drownings.
Surf Life Saving is powered by volunteers - but delivering lifesaving services requires significant infrastructure and resources.

Equipment, training, safety compliance, insurance, education programs and research all rely on community support. Government funding does not cover the full cost of operating a national volunteer lifesaving movement.

Community fundraising ensure volunteers are properly trained, equipped and supported.
Yes. Surf Life Saving recieves government funding for specific programs and services.

However, community donations remain essential to sustain long-term capability, replace equipment, expand educations initiatives and invest in innovation.
Yes. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.

Receipts are issued under the Surf Life Saving Australia Limited ABN.
As a registered charity, Surf Life Saving Australia publishes annual reports outlining financial performance, impact and strategic priorities.

Funds raised through Surf Life Saving Giving are managed within SLSA's governance and reporting framework, ensuring transparency and repsonsible stewardship.
Yes. Surf Life Saving Australia complies with Australian privacy legislation and uses secure systems to process and store supporter information.

Appeals Frequently Asked Questions

Red & Yellow Day is Surf Life Saving's national day of awareness and community support. It celebrates the iconic red and yellow flags and recognised the volunteers who keep Australian beaches safe.

The Red & Yellow Day Appeal is the coordinated fundraising campaign connected to this national day. Donations made through the appeal help fund lifesaving equipment, training and frontline capability across Australia.
Yes. As part of the coordianted Red & Yellow Day Appeal, Surf Life Saving clubs are able to fundraise locally under the national campaign framework.

This enables clubs to engage their communities while contributing to a unified national movement.
Funds raised through the Red & Yellow Day Appeal are managed by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA).

Importantly:
  • Funds raised by an individual club under the Red & Yellow Day Appeal are allocated to that club.
  • These funds sit alongside - and in addition to - the broader national fundraising effort.
National appeal funds are distributed in alignment with agreed priorities and annual allocations to State Centres.

This structure ensure local fundraising benefits local clubs, while also strengthening Surf Life Saving capability nationally.
If you donate directly through a participating club's Red & Yellow Day Appeal fundraising activity, your donation supports that club.

If you donate through the national Red & Yellow Day appeal, your gift contibutes to national and state-based lifesaving priorities.

Both approaches support Mission Zero - Every Life Counts.
The Tax Appeal, also called the EOFY Appeal, runs in the lead-up to 30 June each year.

It provides supporters with an opportunity to make a tax-deductiable donation while helping fund priority lifesaving initiatives.
The Seaonal Appeal is Surf Life Saving's major annual fundraising campaign aligned to the peak patrol season.

It focuses on preparing services and volunteers for the busiest months, when beach visitation is highest and the risk of drowning increases.
Funds raised through the Seasonal Appeal are administered by Surf Life Saving Australia and support:
  • Volunteer patrol training and readiness
  • Replacement and upgrading of lifesaving equipment
  • Operational capability during peak season
  • National coordination and support services
By strengthening readiness during high-risk periods, the appeal directly contributes to Mission Zero - Every Life Counts.
No. Seasonal Appeal donations are national and distributed through State Centres according to strategic priorities.

Our Current appeals

We only exist because of donations from people like you. Through our appeals you can help support the vital work of our Lifesavers.

Visit Red & Yellow Day AppealVisit Innovation Fund