Eligibility Criteria for Competitors
For Junior competitors, please refer to the details on the Competition Criteria for Junior Competitors page. For all other competitors, please review below.
SLS members who wish to compete, must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in SLSA Guidelines for Competition Eligibility (2026). The core criteria is that members must:
- Be a financial member of a Surf Life Saving Club
- Be proficient in their Bronze Medallion (proficiency to be completed by 31st December)
- Meet the minimum patrol hour requirement for their membership category for Championship competitons
- Meet the SLSNSW criteria as outlined in the Competition Eligibility Guidelines document linked below
Some events have different award criteria (such as Lifesaving events and March Past) and the current edition of the SLSA Surf Sports Manual should be consulted for those details.
SLSA Guidelines describe a variety of service hours can be utilised in conjunction with patrol hours to be eligible for Championship events (Branch, State & Aussies). Details of this provision and application process are outlined in the SLSA Guidelines for Competition Eligibility at bottom of this page.
There are also provisions for members who have not met the minimum patrol hour requirement due to reasons including those outlined below. It is important that Clubs and Competitors are familiar with all the requirements, and the exemption application process should it be required.
- Are new to Surf Life Saving and only recently gained their Bronze Medallion
- Have rejoined SLS after a period of absence
- Have had an injury or illness which prevented them from patrolling
- Have been on military deployment
- Have been travelling overseas
Clubs and Members should include all relevant details when lodging an exemption application. If clubs want to make a pro-rata application for reduced patrol hour requirements, please view the SLSNSW Pro-Rata Patrol Hours Memo at the bottom of this page.
These documents are current as of November 2026. Click on the link to view or download them.
