Royal Life Saving National Aquatics Symposium looks to strengthen the aquatic industry

Despite the impact and value of Australia’s aquatic industry, Royal Life Saving has spotlighted the significant structural challenges facing the national aquatic workforce. These include growing concerns about the attractiveness of employment in the aquatic sector, concerns about a lack of experience in the workforce, strengthening competency and capability, and retaining talent within the industry.

The national aquatic industry is made up of more than 2,000 publicly accessible aquatic facilities, contributing $9.1 billion annually in social, health and economic benefits to Australians and employs more than 65,000 workers. Staff working in the industry consistently highlight that their jobs help make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Industry leadership met last year at the National Aquatics Symposium and identified exciting opportunities to strengthen and professionalise the aquatic workforce in light of the structural challenges facing the sector.

Concerns have also been echoed in the National Aquatic Industry Workforce Report 2023 and the National Aquatic Industry Workforce Report 2020.

To address these challenges and advance a longstanding commitment to strengthening the national aquatic industry, Royal Life Saving will assemble a select group of industry leaders for a National Workforce Symposium on 12th-13th March 2024 in Melbourne. The Symposium aims to review, re-think and re-imagine a future-focused National Aquatic Workforce Framework.

The framework will focus on measures aimed at strengthening the safety, quality and capability of the workforce, map out and more accurately describe the depth and breadth of employment pathways and career development opportunities for workers in the industry, and assist with improving talent retention and attraction.

Speaking of the initiative, Royal Life Saving General Manager - Capability & Industry RJ Houston said developing a workforce framework is about strengthening the sector, further professionalising the workforce and lifting standards which contribute to safer and healthier communities.

Houston noted “It’s no secret that there have been significant challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic for the aquatic workforce. There is significant strain on employers and safety agencies working to reduce risk and strengthen the sector.

"Success will rely on the expertise and contributions of many, and we are committed to facilitating a collaborative and co-designed approach with various groups and participants in our industry.”

Chris Alexander, General Manager at AUSactive, stressed how the equivalent initiative in the fitness industry has elevated standards and increased the amount of participation in professional development amongst fitness professionals.

"Creating an industry-wide approach to registration and ongoing professional development has had the benefit of expanding opportunities for workers, their employers and professional development providers, resulting in an industry-wide uplift.

Liz van Deventer, Work Health and Safety Manager at Belgravia Group also emphasised the significant impact of professionalising the aquatic workforce.

She highlighted that initiatives aimed at enhancing skills and competencies not only foster safer work environments for both staff and the wider community but also bolster the overall appeal of careers in the aquatic sector.

van Deventer shared “at Belgravia Group, we are committed to supporting strategies that not only strengthen community health and wellbeing but also advance the development and professional recognition of our team members. This, in turn, enhances the attractiveness of the aquatic and leisure industry as a career choice, improves retention, and reduces psychosocial risk.”

Royal Life Saving note: It will not be possible to accommodate everyone who would like to be at the Symposium and participate in workshops, so a targeted cross-section of industry leadership will be selected to undertake this work on behalf of the national aquatic industry.

In order to express an interest, please complete the Expression of Interest Form which includes the Symposium Terms of Reference: available here.

To inform the framework, a pre-symposium scoping survey on current challenges for industry leaders, workers, and trainers is recommended to complete.

You can complete the survey here: National Aquatic Workforce Framework Survey 

In addition, a series of focused workshops will be facilitated to further scope, review and refine the framework.