Privacy Policy

The protection of personal information is important to Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). SLSA is committed to respecting the right to privacy and the protection of personal information. For the purposes of this Policy, SLS Entity includes:

• SLSA and its subsidiary companies;
• State Centres, being the governing body of Surf Life Saving in each affiliated State or Territory;
• Branches, being those entities that are recognised by the respective State Centre; and
• Affiliated Clubs, being those Clubs, which are members of or affiliated to a Branch or State and SLSA.

This document sets out:

• What personal and sensitive information SLSA collects;
• How SLSA collects personal and sensitive information;
• How SLSA uses or discloses personal and sensitive information
• How individuals can access or seek correction of information held by SLSA ; and
• Who to contact regarding privacy issues and complaints.
  
  

By providing your personal information to SLSA, you expressly consent to its use, storage and disclosure in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

This Policy provides for the way in which SLS Entities may collect, use, store and disclose information.  Third party commercial entities and subsidiaries, whether owned or acting on behalf of any SLSA Entity, may be subject to the same privacy laws and may be governed by their own privacy policies. SLSA will always do its utmost to ensure that personal information is respected and protected.

1. What personal and sensitive information does SLSA collect?

1.1 Personal Information

Generally, personal information is information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database) from which it is possible to determine someone’s identity.

The information collected by a SLSA about a particular person will vary depending on the circumstances of collection. It may include, but is not limited to, a person’s contact details (name, email and/or postal address, phone number), date of birth, gender, credit card details, driver licence number, passport number, insurance details, employment history, qualifications or communication history with SLSA and/or location data when using SLSA apps.

1.2 Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is a type of personal information that also includes information or an opinion about:

1. racial or ethnic origin;
2. political opinions;
3. membership of a political association, professional or trade association or trade union;
4. religious beliefs or affiliations or philosophical beliefs;
5. sexual preferences or practices;
6. criminal record; or
7. health, genetic information or disability.

If it is reasonably necessary in the circumstances, SLSA may also collect sensitive information such as a person’s medical history, nationality, their ethnic background or disabilities.

SLSA is required by law to obtain consent when collecting sensitive information. SLSA assumes and will assume consent to the collection of all sensitive information that is provided to it for use in accordance with this Privacy Policy, unless told otherwise by the person providing the information.

2. How does SLSA collect personal and sensitive information?

Information may be collected when you:

1. become a member of any SLS Entity or other body which is a member of or affiliated with SLSA;
2. subscribe to any publication of any SLS Entity, including electronic publications;
3. provide details to any SLS Entity in an application form, consent form, survey, feedback form or incident report;
4. enter personal information into, or agree to having your personal information entered into, an SLS Entity online system such as ‘SLS Hub’ or another SLSA online system;
5. access any SLS Entity website;
6. contact any SLS Entity via email, telephone or mail or engage via social media;
7. participate in any program, activity, competition or event run by any SLS Entity;
8. purchase tickets to a surf lifesaving or sporting event from an SLS Entity or an authorised agent;
9. participate in fundraising activities, including donations, bequests, appeals, philanthropic programs and Surf Life Saving Lotteries (raffles/art unions restricted to 18+ only);
10. purchase merchandise, products or services from any SLS Entity or an authorised agent;
11. are elected or appointed to the Board or a committee of an SLS Entity;
12. apply for employment or a volunteer position with any SLS Entity; or
13. where an SLS Entity is required to do so by law (for education, VET training, child protection, Work health and safety laws, AVETMISS, charitable collections, Good Samaritan, Medical Treatment or other legislation in Australia).

SLSA collects data about you, your interests and matters that may be of interest to you. In addition, your preferences as to how you prefer to receive communications, i.e. by email, post, telephone, SMS/MMS and door-to-door canvassing, are also recorded depending on which contact channel information you have chosen. If you have an account with an SLS Entity personal information may be collected to service that account, understand your giving preferences and provide you with relevant communications and marketing materials. 

2.1 Providing information

Depending on the circumstances, some types of information will be required and others might be optional. If you do not provide some or all of the information requested, this may affect an SLS Entity’s ability to communicate with you or provide the requested products or services.

By not providing requested information, you may jeopardise your ability to participate in events, activities, programs or competitions or apply for employment or volunteer positions with an SLS Entity.  If it is impracticable for any SLS Entity to deal with you as a result of you not providing the requested information or consents, that entity may refuse to do so.

2.2 Collection from third parties

An SLS Entity may collect personal information regarding a child from the parent or other responsible person associated with that child.

SLSA recognises that children and young people require additional privacy protections. Where personal information related to a person under 18 years of age, SLSA will take reasonable steps to ensure information is collected from, or with the consent of, a parent or guardian where appropriate. SLSA will limit the collection of personal information about children to what is reasonably necessary to deliver programs, ensure safety, meet regulatory obligations and administer participation in surf lifesaving activities.

In some circumstances, SLSA collects information from other SLS Entities or other third parties.  Examples of such third parties could include, without limitation, Australian Sports Commission (ASC), Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), non-affiliated surf lifesaving organisations or government and law enforcement bodies.

2.3 Information storage and protection

SLSA stores information in different ways, including in paper and electronic form. Much of the information collected from and about our members is added to SLSA’s – SLS Hub database which is hosted by a third-party data storage provider on secure, enterprise-grade servers. When your information is entered into the SLS Hub database, the information may be combined or linked with other information held about you.

Security of personal information is important to SLSA. SLSA has taken steps to protect the information we hold from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Some of the security measures SLSA uses includes strict confidentiality requirements of our employees, volunteers, SLSA Affiliates and service providers, as well as security measures for system access, and security measures for our website such as firewalls and system encryption whilst storing and transferring data.

SLSA is required to comply with the Federal Government Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme (NDBS). When SLSA has had a data breach that could result in serious harm, SLSA will notify the individual(s) that is/are affected. SLSA when notifying the individual(s) and Australian Information Commissioner, will also outline what steps will be undertaken in response to the breach. A review of the breach will be undertaken, and action(s) implemented to prevent a future breach. SLSA ensures that all members abide by the Privacy policy in conjunction with the Terms of Use Policy and do not download and disclose personal data. Such behaviour can now result in significant fines under the Act.

3. How does SLSA use and disclose personal and sensitive information?

3.1 Use

SLSA, and third parties to whom it may disclose personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy, may use your personal information to:

1. verify your identity;
2. verify your age;
3. complete background checks;
4. research, develop, run, administer and market competitions, programs, activities and other events relating to a variety of surf lifesaving sports and activities including but not limited to ‘Nippers’, ‘Rescue and Resuscitation’ events, Ironman and Ironwoman competitions, emergency management information, membership management, education offerings and organisation, social events, police or other legal agencies for the purposes of medical treatment amongst others;
5. undertake fundraising, allow participation and entry into lottery and trade promotions;
6. research, develop and market products, services, merchandise and special offers made available by us and third parties;
7. respond to emergency situations involving or requiring medical treatment;
8. administer, manage and provide you with access to com.au, SLS Hub database, self service portal and other IT based applications; and
9. keep you informed of news and information relating to various surf lifesaving events, activities and opportunities via various mediums.

SLSA may use health information to ensure that programs it operates are managed safely and in accordance with any special health needs participants may require.  Health information may also be kept for insurance purposes. In addition, SLSA may use de-identified health information and other sensitive information to carry out research, to prepare submissions to government or other regulatory bodies, or to plan events and activities. SLSA does not provide a Health Service as defined under the Privacy Act 1988 (Act) and will not use health information for the purposes of providing a Health Service as defined under the Act.

SLSA recognises the trust placed in us by our donors and supporters when they share their personal information. SLSA is committed to using donor information responsibly, ethically and transparently. SLSA will only use donor personal information in ways that are consistent with reasonable supporter expectations and the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. SLSA does not sell donor personal information to third parties. Any use of supporter data to improve communications or fundraising is undertaken with appropriate privacy safeguards, using aggregated or de‑identified information wherever possible.

3.2 Disclosure

SLSA may disclose your personal information to a range of organisations which include, but are not limited to:

1. SLSA affiliates and other organisations involved in surf lifesaving and emergency management;
2. companies we engage to carry out functions and activities on SLSA’s behalf, including direct marketing;
3. our professional advisers, including our accountants, auditors and lawyers;
4. our insurers;
5. police and other law enforcement agencies;
6. SLS Entities; and
7. relevant sporting bodies such as the ASC, SIA, AOC, Paralympics Australia, Commonwealth Games Australia, other National Sporting bodies, and Federal and State Departments of sport amongst others.

SLSA may disclose your personal information in other circumstances permitted by law.

Information may be shared with employees or third-party agents for the purposes of marketing, fundraising, research and analysis. In certain limited circumstances, it may be necessary to share the information with a third-party service provider on a confidential basis. When this occurs, only the information that is required to provide the services will be provided and only under strict terms of confidentiality.

In some circumstances, personal information may also be disclosed outside of Australia. In such circumstances, SLSA will use its best endeavours to ensure such parties are subject to a law, binding scheme or contract which effectively upholds principles for fair handling of the information that are suitably similar to the Australian Privacy Principles under the Act. Personal information may be sent overseas for the purpose of addressing direct marketing material produced overseas. 

Any disclosure will be on such terms and conditions as SLSA determines taking into account the circumstances of the disclosure but always with the best interests of the parties whose personal information is being disclosed.

3.3 Gaming

SLSA, as the promoter of competitions, raffles, trade promotions and art unions, collects personal information to assist it, to confirm eligibility and meet regulatory requirements, process competition entries, distribute prizes and to improve SLSA’s products and services. SLSA or a third-party engaged as its representative may contact you (including by email, telephone, mail or SMS) to let you know about promotions which may be of interest to you. SLSA may also share your information with other persons or entities that assist it in providing its services, running competitions (including administering the competition or distributing prizes). SLSA may publish raffle, art union and/or trade promotion winner details in accordance with relevant laws and this policy.

If you prefer that your information, not be disclosed to a third-party, or that you wish to change your communication preferences, please contact SLSA as per the contact details in this Privacy policy.

3.4 Direct marketing

SLSA assumes and will assume your consent to use non-sensitive personal information to provide to you better services and marketing purposes (including disclosure of such information to service providers).

Every person whose data is collected by SLSA has the option to refuse e-mail, SMS or posted offers.  You may do this by updating the direct marketing settings in your user portal/Life Saving Online in the SLS Hub, or via the opt-out procedures included in any communication from us (information relating to the option to unsubscribe from those communications may be retained).

If you are still not satisfied at the communication you are receiving, you can also write to SLSA via the contact details set out below.

3.5 Other disclosures

In addition, SLSA may also disclose personal information:

1. with your express or implied consent;
2. when required or authorised by law;
3. to an enforcement body when reasonably necessary; or
4. to lessen or prevent a threat to an individual or public health or safety.

3.6 SLSA websites

When users visit SLSA websites, our systems may record certain information about their use of the site, including the web pages visited and the time and date of their visit. SLSA uses this information to help analyse and improve the performance of its websites.

SLSA uses password protocols and encryption software to protect personal and other information we receive when a service is requested and/or paid for on-line. SLSA software is routinely updated to maximise protection of such information. All credit card transactions are secured using 128 Bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption.

In addition, SLSA may use “cookies” on its websites. Cookies are small text files that help a website to remember the preferences of users to improve the experience of using that website.

Cookies are used for various aspects of functionality such as keeping track of tickets in a checkout, learning more about how you arrived at the website and to store your preferences, so you do not have to enter them each time you visit. In some cases, the cookies that are used may collect some personal information. SLSA will treat this information in the same way as other personal information it collects. You are free to disable cookies on your internet browser to prevent this information being collected; however, you may lose the benefit of an enhanced website experience that the use of cookies may offer.

Websites linked to any SLSA website are not subject to SLSA’s privacy standards, policies or procedures. SLSA does not take any responsibility for the collection, use, disclosure or security of any personal information that you provide to a third-party website.

 

4. Accessing and seeking correction of information held by SLSA

SLSA will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information it collects, uses or discloses is accurate, complete and up-to-date. SLSA relies however on the accuracy of personal information as provided to us both directly and indirectly.

SLSA also relies on other SLS Entities and volunteers to enter data and ensure that data is accurately recorded.

All SLS Hub users are encouraged to regularly review and update their personal information on the SLS Hub database and via the “members portal” link.

Individuals may also request access to their personal information held by us by making a request via the contact details set out below. We will respond to your request for access within a reasonable time and usually within. SLSA will endeavour to provide the requested information within 30 days. If you find that the personal information, held about you is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date, please contact us immediately and it will be corrected and brought up to date as per your instructions.

5. Resolving privacy issues and complaints

Any issues or complaints in relation to the collection, use, disclosure, quality, security of and access to your personal information may be made to the SLSA Privacy Officer at this address:

Privacy Officer

Level 1, 1 Notts Ave
Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Email:  [email protected]
Ph: 02 9215 8000

OR

Privacy Officer

PO Box 207
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Phone: 1800 642 925

We will respond to your complaint within 30 days and try to resolve it within 90 days. If we are unable to resolve your complaint within this time, or you are unhappy with the outcome, you can contact the Office of Australian Information Commissioner via its enquiries line 1300 363 992 or website http://www.oaic.gov.au/ to lodge a complaint.

For further information on SLSA’s management of personal information, please contact SLSA.

SLSA may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Policy Version:   Version Number 3
Last Updated:    February 2026
Next Review:      February 2027