Free Pool Lifeguard Training


Free pool lifeguard training to help reduce drowning risk for new migrants in Banyule

While water safety is a way of life for many Australians, new migrants often lack the knowledge and skills that will keep them safe around water.

A new partnership between Banyule Council’s Youth Services, Lifesaving Victoria and Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre is offering migrants living in Banyule free pool lifeguard training to help prevent future drowning and injuries.

Swimming and water safety are an important part of Australian culture. With the onset of summer and rising temperatures, Australians embrace the long held tradition of heading to water to cool off - be it beach, river, backyard pool - in search of relief from the heat, as well as enjoying fishing and boating.

However, for newly arrived migrants, knowledge of how to be safe in and around the water is often limited, with culturally and linguistically diverse communities identified as a high risk population for drowning and aquatic injuries compared with the wider Australian population.

Lifesaving Victoria runs a range of water education and safety programs targeted at culturally and linguistically diverse communities, ranging from swim classes for children, supervised beach and open water experiences, to fully accredited lifeguard training.

This summer, Lifesaving Victoria has teamed up with Banyule Council’s Youth Service and Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre to bring pool lifeguard training to Banyule.

The training is free and open to people aged 16 years and over who are from migrant backgrounds. Upon completing the program, participants graduate as accredited, qualified pool lifeguards.

To be eligible for the course you must be:

  • From a culturally and linguistically diverse community
  • Able to undergo an entry test consisting of swimming 200 meters within 6 minutes
  • Available on weekends from 18 January through to 9 February 2014 (excluding public holidays).

Swimming activities will be held at Council’s Olympic Leisure Centre in Heidelberg West and the first aid component at Council’s Ivanhoe Customer Service Centre in Upper Heidelberg Road.

For more information visit Banyule City Council