Lifeguard
Ensure the safety of individuals using pools, water parks and beaches.
Job opportunities
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Jobs on SEEK right now
Job growth
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Projected job growth in 5 years
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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What's it like to be a Lifeguard?
Lifeguards use their skills in accident prevention and rescue response to ensure the safety of individuals who are using an aquatic facility, such as a pool, water park or beach.
Tasks and duties
- Supervising and overseeing patrons in aquatic locations, and acting immediately to ensure the safety of individuals in the event of an emergency.
- Providing water rescue, first aid, administering oxygen and emergency care and treatment as required.
- Undertaking various maintenance tasks and risk management duties to provide a clean, safe and accessible facility.
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Lifeguards are highly skilled individuals who remain calm and react effectively in emergency situations.The role of a Lifeguard relies on excellent judgement and fitness. Lifeguards may work in public and private pools, beaches, water parks or rivers.
How to become a Lifeguard
- For Pool Lifeguards at a swimming pool or aquatic facility, obtain your Royal Life Saving Pool Lifeguard certificate. This teaches and assesses your skills in three areas – theory, practical and physical skills.
- For Surf Lifeguards, attain a vocational qualification such as a Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) (PUA21012), or your Surf Life Saving Bronze Medallion. You will also need to pass physical skill requirements.
- There are many opportunities for career advancement in the lifeguard field, such as becoming a facility manager, trainer/assessor, supervisor or duty manager.
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Latest Lifeguard jobs on SEEK
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Location
AustraliaSkills and experience employers are looking for
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Royal Life Saving Pool Lifeguard CertificateFirst Aid CertificateVerbal CommunicationWorkplace Health and SafetyHLTAID003 Provide First AidCustomer ServiceQuick ThinkingResilienceWillingness to LearnInterpersonal SensitivitySkills listed in your SEEK Profile
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Is Lifeguard the right role for me?
How do Lifeguards rate their role?
Average ratings calculated from 54 Lifeguards surveyed on SEEK.
Work-life balance
4.1
Job satisfaction
4.1
Career progression opportunities
3.6
Job security
3.8
Pay / Salary
3.8
Variety of work
3.4
Job market trends for Lifeguards
Location
AustraliaProjected job growth
National increase over next 5 years
2021
2026
Source: National Skills Commission. Sportspersons
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK role reviews
Latest Lifeguard reviews
Latest reviews from 52 Lifeguards surveyed on SEEK.
All
Positive
Negative
Nov 2018
Lifeguarding changed the way I live, for the better!
Reviewer's Qualification
Completed High School (Year 12)
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Large (200+ employees)
Specialisation
senior lifeguard
The good things
Lifeguards work with a variety of people to ensure a safe environment, and they are the front line of prevention of water injuries and drownings. It is a rewarding job that allows you to take on respo...
The challenges
When an incident occurs, it can be overwhelming and stressful, and requires a high level of maturity and skill. If centres are crowded it can become difficult to effectively lifeguard certain areas wh...
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Oct 2018
Lifeguard is a challenging job and I wouldn’t do it full time but it’s a very rewarding job
Reviewer's Qualification
Certificate III in HSC Studies
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Casual lifeguard
The good things
You meet and make friends with often swimmers and workers. You also receive a first aid certificate which looks great on your resume
The challenges
Swimmers will try and do anything to get there way but you are the “authority” of the pool and you have to stand your ground. Constant complaints. Some people will not like you such as swimmers even f...
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data