Verify a Surf Life Saving fundraiser
If you've been approached by someone claiming to represent Surf Life Saving, here's how to confirm they are legitimate.
Authorised representatives will:
- Wear a Surf Life Saving branded uniform
- Carry official identification in a Surf Life Saving lanyard
- Use a secure electronic deivce to process lottery subscriptions
- Clearly explain the Surf Life Saving Lotteries offer they are promoting
Important: Our face-to-face representatives promote Surf Life Saving Lotteries tickets and subscriptions only. They do not collect charitable donations in person.
If you are unsure about a fundraiser, please contact our Supporter Services team so we can verify their activity.
Phone: 1800 642 925
Email: [email protected]
Face-to-face fundraising
Australia's coastline is one of the most loved and one of the most dangerous in the world. Increasing visitation, extreme weather events, and evolving rescue demands mean lifesaving services must always be ready.
Surf Life Saving Giving — formerly Surf Life Saving Foundation (ABN 47 945 812 553) — is the national fundraising capability within Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), helping provide the financial sustainability needed to plan, prepare, and respond when seconds matter.
Through donations, monthly giving, bequests, appeals, workplace giving, and community fundraising, Surf Life Saving Giving helps ensure volunteer surf lifesavers have the training, equipment, and support they need to keep people safe.
You may also encounter authorised fundraising representatives in the community promoting Surf Life Saving Lotteries subscriptions and tickets. These activities help raise funds that support lifesaving services across Australia.
Important: Our face-to-face representatives promote Surf Life Saving Lotteries only. They do not collect charitable donations in person. If you would like to donate to support volunteer surf lifesavers, you can do so securely through this website.
Why fundraising matters
Surf Life Saving's volunteers network performs an extraordinary role in keeping our communities safe.
In the past year alone:
- surf lifesavers volunteers over 1.46 million patrol hours
- they helped rescue 8,207 people from danger
- alongside lifeguards, they delivered more than 65,000 first aid treatments
- they carried out nearly 2.2 million preventative actions to keep people safe before an emergency occurs.
Funds raised through Surf Life Saving Giving and related fundraising initiatives help support lifesaving services across Australia - helping equip volunteers, deliver training, strengthen prevention programs, and support rescue capability along our coastline and in inland communities.
Transparency and impact
Surf Life Saving Giving operates as a dedicated fundraising business unit within SLSA, ensuring funds raised directly support national state-based lifesaving priorities.
Donations and fundraising revenue help support:
- volunteer patrol services
- rescue equipment and vehicles
- training and development for lifesavers
- safety education and prevention programs
- innovation that improves rescue capability and coastal safety outcomes.
We are committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of the funds entrusted to us.
In financial year 2024/25:
- fundraising administration costs represented 4.31% of total revenue
- almost $11.9 million was returned to Surf Life Saving entities through fundraising activity.
You can view our audited financial statements in our annual reports.
Face-to-face fundraising
From time to time you may see authorised fundraising representatives in your community at shopping centres, local business, or even visiting residential areas.
These professional representatives are engaged through an authorised partner agency and are trained to promote Surf Life Saving Lotteries subscriptions and tickets.
Their role is to:
- raise awareness of Surf Life Saving
- introduce people to Surf Life Saving Lotteries
- process secure lottery subscriptions using electronic devices.
They do not collect charitable donations.
The FAQs below explain how to recognise legitimate representatives, what they are authorised to do, and how to contact us if you have any questions.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Surf Life Saving engages professional face-to-face fundraising representatives through authorised partner agencies to promote Surf Life Saving Lotteries tickets and subscriptions.
These trained representatives may operate at shopping centres, community locations, or door-to-door in residential areas.
All authorised representatives must comply with Australian fundraising laws, consumer protection legislation, privacy laws, and recognised industry standards of conduct.
If something does not feel right, or you would like to verify a fundraiser's identity, please contact our Supporter Services team.
All authorised representatives will:
- Wear a Surf Life Saving branded uniform (such as a red polo or hoodie and hat)
- Carry official identification in a Surf Life Saving lanyard
- Be able to clearly explain the Surf Life Saving Lotteries offer they are promoting
- Use a secure electronic device to process sign ups
From time to time, local Surf Life Saving clubs may run their own community fundraising activities.
However, if someone approaches you claiming to collect donations on behalf of Surf Life Saving nationally, they are not part of our authorised national fundraising program.
If you are unsure, please contact our Supporter Services team to confirm.
No.
Surf Life Saving's authorised face-to-face representatives do not ask for or accept charitable donations.
Their role is limited to offering Surf Life Saving Lotteries tickets and subscriptions.
If you would like to make a donation to support volunteer surf lifesavers, you can do so securely through this website.
Face-to-face engagement helps raise awareness of Surf Life Saving and supports national fundraising initiatives that help keep people safe along our coastline.
Funds raised through initiatives such as Surf Life Saving Lotteries help support vital lifesaving services including:
- volunteer patrol operations
- lifesaving equipment
- training and emergency response capability
- community safety and education programs
- at shopping centres or community hubs
- Door-to-door in residential areas
- At local businesses or workplaces
Locations rotate regularly to minimise repeated contact in any one community.
If you would like to check whether teams are currently operating in your area, please contact our Supporter Services team.
Authorised representatives operate during reasonable and permitted hours, in line with local regulations and venue operating times.
Generally:
- Door-to-door activity occurs during daytime and early evening hours
- Shopping centre activity occurs during normal trading hours
- Business visits occur during standard business hours
Authorised representatives use secure electronic devices to process payments for Surf Life Saving Lotteries tickets or subscriptions.
Accepted payment methods may include:
- Credit or debit card
- Direct debit
Fundraisers do not accept cash payments.
Once your details are submitted, you will receive confirmation of your purchase. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact our Supporter Services team.
Yes.
Payment details are entered directly into a secure electronic system and are not recorded on paper or retained on personal devices.
Surf Life Saving Australia complies with Australian privacy legislation and recognised data security standards. Your personal information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and is used only for the purposes for which it was collected.
Our representatives are trained to identify and disengage from conversations with individuals who may be vulnerable.
After someone signs up for a lottery subscription, a member of our Supporter Services team may follow up to confirm the details, answer questions, and ensure the supporter is comfortable with their commitment.
Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time.
If you would like to:
- update your payment details
- change your contact information
- cancel a lottery subscription
If you have any questions about our fundraising activities, or if you would like to verify a fundraiser's identity or locations, please contact our Supporter Services team.
Phone: 1800 642 925
Email: giving.sls.com.au
We take all feedback seriously and will investigate any concerns.
How to support Surf Life Saving
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.
Enter Surf Life Saving Lotteries
Buying a Surf Life Saving Lotteries ticket helps volunteer surf lifesavers protect lives on beaches and in communities — while giving you the chance to win incredible prizes.
Our $50 ticket gives you 70 chances to win, including a bonus prize of $50,000 in gold bullion — all while supporting lifesaving in Australian communities.
