Education Programs

LSV is the premier provider of in-water and classroom swimming and water safety programs. Our programs proudly combine RLSA industry leading techniques, with Victoria’s most experienced educators and award-winning resources.

Education Programs

With the aim of creating everyday lifesavers across all Victorian communities, LSV is the industry leader in the development and delivery of fun, innovative and safe swimming and water safety education. Programs include water safety skills and knowledge, recognised swimming and lifesaving strokes, basic underwater skills and rescue skills and the survival sequences.

Our team deliver programs at school and community venues as well as at beaches, rivers, lakes or pools across the State. Our programs are delivered by qualified and experienced instructors and can be adapted to engage all children and community members in a safe and inclusive manner. 

Beach, river and lake programs

Lifesaving education excursions provide an open water program that is an engaging, practical opportunity for students to learn critical swimming and water safety skills and knowledge. 

Conducted in an open waterway environment, students will learn about how to plan for and stay safe whilst enjoying local waterways with friends and family, by understanding key hazards how they can keep themselves safe and respond in the event of an emergency. 

Programs include:

  • Where to swim safely and prepare for your visit
  • How to identify and avoid dangers
  • CPR and basic emergency response
  • Water safety knowledge and understanding safety signs
  • Survival and rescue strategies
  • Games and fun events/activities

Programs introduce swimming and water safety skills in a fun and engaging learning experiences that make for a one-of-a-kind school incursion, excursion or end-of-year fun days.

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Classroom programs

Lifesaving education incursions are an excellent opportunity to teach students about the importance of swimming and water safety, leveraging the expertise and experience of a qualified surf lifesaver. 

Programs, activities, dates and time can be flexible to suit the needs, experience and interest of the students and can delivered in a school classroom, hall or gymnasium.

Programs include:

  • Where to swim safely and prepare for your visit
  • How to identify and avoid dangers
  • The importance of supervision
  • Reading safety signs and checking conditions
  • Lifejacket and equipment safety
  • What to do in an emergency situation

While most commonly delivered in a classroom setting, the program can be delivered to children in kindergarten as well as scouts or community groups.

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Specialist school programs

LSV offers two programs that have been developed specifically for delivery to Specialist and Specialist Development Schools, which can be delivered as either an incursion or excursion.

The Bubble

LSV’s one-of-a kind sensory water safety experience teaches water safety familiarisation in a dry, controlled environment, and caters to a wide range of sensory needs and preferences. The Bubble provides a safe and innovative learning environment where sessions can be tailored to the specific needs, abilities and interests of students. 

Beach, River and Lake Programs 

Education programs at the beach, river or lake can be fully customised to accommodate school age students of all abilities, levels and interests. The programs aim to empower the attendees to safely enjoy a range of appropriate swimming and water-safety based activities, improving their skills, knowledge and confidence at waterway environments. 

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Bush Nippers

Bush Nippers is a regional and rural inland waterway blended adaptation of the coastal Nippers programs and LSV’s Lifesaving Education Programs.

This exciting new program aims to build skills and knowledge in lifesaving and water safety at inland waterway locations and has been designed for children aged 5 to 14 years.

Designed as a progressive learning experience, Bush Nippers is suitable for all abilities, and available at the a river, lake, beach or pool by LSV or one of our approved program partners. 

The program includes an introduction to lifesaving, survival swimming, rescue skills, water safety awareness, games and race activities, and rescue equipment skills.

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Diversity and inclusion programs

LSV is committed to delivering projects and champion initiatives which improve opportunities for all Victorians to learn critical swimming and water safety skills and knowledge. Since 2007, LSV has delivered essential water safety and aquatic education programs to over 300,000 individuals from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds. 

LSV offers tailored wet and dry education programs to Victorian communities including beach programs, meet a lifeguard, resuscitate a mate and swimming lessons. For every $1 spent on investment into on these programs, there is a $14.85 Social Return on Investment.

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Beach programs

Beach Programs are a great way to learn vital swimming and water safety knowledge and skills. The programs offer a practical approach, familiarising participants with the beach environment through safe, fun and innovative educational games and activities.

Qualified instructors deliver a structured mix of theoretical and practical activities, selected to reflect the ability, need and interests of the group and conditions on the day.

Activities include: 

  • Preparing to be safe around the water
  • Strategies to identify hazardous conditions
  • How to select and correct fit/wear a lifejacket
  • Self-rescue, rescue, and survival techniques
  • Games, sports, and races

All programs are customisable to multicultural, seniors and disability groups. 

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Meet a lifeguard

Meet a Lifeguard is an interactive session designed to educate students and community groups about how to make safe decisions when around the water.

The session is conducted by a qualified and experienced Lifeguard and can be tailored to reflect the ability, need, experience and interests of the group.

Activities include:

  • The role of a Lifeguard
  • Waterway safety and awareness
  • Visit preparation and water safety signage
  • Rescue techniques
  • Diversity (aquatic) role-models

All programs are customisable to multicultural, seniors and disability groups. 

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Resuscitate a mate

Resuscitate a Mate is designed to prepare and empower participants to be able to identify the need for, and techniques to undertake resuscitation in the event of an emergency. 

In this interactive session, participants will learn the key stages of DRSABCD, and in doing so learn the vital skills to potentially save a life.

Activities include:

  • Assessment and communication of emergency situations (DRS)
  • Resuscitation skills and techniques (ABCD)
  • Completion of a handover to emergency services
  • Principles of incident management

All programs are customisable to multicultural, seniors and disability groups. 

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Seniors recreation pool program

The Seniors Recreation Pool program is designed to empower seniors to make safe decisions when enjoying their local swimming pools or aquatic facility.

The session is conducted by a qualified and experienced Pool Lifeguard and can be tailored to suit the requirements of each group, including being held at a location of your choice.

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LSV Approved Education Partners

LSV Approved Education Partners

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) delivers engaging, practical education programs that equip children and young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to be safe in and around water. From Bush Nippers and open water experiences to curriculum-aligned school programs and community education initiatives, our programs are designed to build lifelong water safety capability across Victoria.

We are inviting expressions of interest from organisations interested in becoming Approved Education Partners to deliver these programs locally. By partnering with LSV, you will play a vital role in strengthening water safety outcomes in your community, while benefiting from the support, credibility and resources of Victoria’s peak aquatic safety body.

Why become an approved Education Partner?
Purpose and impact

As an Approved Education Partner, you will deliver high-quality, evidence-informed programs that:

  • Build practical water safety, rescue awareness and survival skills
  • Support school curriculum outcomes and community safety priorities
  • Engage children and families in positive, active outdoor experiences
  • Strengthen local water safety culture in coastal, inland and regional communities

Our programs are adaptable to a range of environments, including beaches, inland waterways and pools, and are designed to meet the needs of diverse communities. We encourage partners to build strong local connections, including with schools, Traditional Owners, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and emergency services, to ensure programs are inclusive and locally relevant.
By delivering LSV programs, your organisation becomes part of a statewide network working towards a shared goal: reducing drowning and aquatic-related harm.

Support and sustainability

LSV provides a structured partnership model designed to build your capability and long-term sustainability.
Approved partners receive support across key areas, including:

  • Planning and risk management guidance
  • Program templates, lesson plans and delivery resources
  • Staff training and professional development opportunities
  • Mentoring support during program establishment
  • Access to tools and guidance for funding and grant applications

Our model supports organisations as they establish, grow and independently deliver programs over time. While partners are responsible for coordinating local delivery, staffing and participant enrolments, LSV remains committed to ongoing guidance, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
 

Quality and credibility

Partnering with LSV ensures your programs are aligned with recognised industry standards and best practice in aquatic education and safety.
As an Approved Education Partner, you benefit from:

  • Programs developed and endorsed by Victoria’s peak water safety body
  • Curriculum-aligned content for school-based delivery
  • Access to training pathways and upskilling opportunities for staff
  • Ongoing professional learning and resource updates
  • Association with a trusted and respected statewide brand

This alignment strengthens your organisation’s credibility, enhances community trust and supports consistent, high-quality participant experiences.
 

Visibility and opportunities

LSV works collaboratively with partners to increase program reach and community awareness.
Support may include:

  • Promotional materials and branded resources
  • Digital and social media amplification
  • Website presence and referral pathways
  • Opportunities to engage in broader community activation initiatives
  • Connection to a statewide network of lifesaving and education providers

Through shared promotion and strategic support, partners can expand their local impact, attract participants and build strong, visible community programs backed by LSV’s reputation and reach.
 

Our Approved Education Partners

There are currently opportunities to become an Approved Education Partner, with expressions of interest assessed based on factors such as community need, location, organisational capacity and strategic alignment.
If your organisation is passionate about water safety, community education and delivering meaningful impact, we invite you to explore partnering with Life Saving Victoria and help empower the next generation with lifesaving skills.

Become an LSV Partner
Your stories

What our community is saying

  1. “Our students enjoyed being at the river environment to learn about water safety as this is their back yard!”
    Denise Ross, Cobram Special Development School
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  2. "We are thrilled with the success of the 2025 Bush Nippers program. All of the young people who participated had a great time as did the staff.”
    Kristal Bourke, Barooga Aquatic and Recreation Centre
  3. “The activities run by staff were very engaging and students learned a lot about themselves and their safety around water as well as looking after others. The activities were excellent, and the students loved the competitiveness. Great staff facilitators.”
    Scott Mackie, Rangebank Primary School
  4. “ILSAR has been a powerful way to launch the patrol season. It gives our members, especially emerging leaders, a stronger understanding of incident response, inter-agency collaboration, and decision-making under pressure. Participants leave the program more confident, more capable, and more deeply engaged in lifesaving.” 
    ILSAR Lead Coordinator, Xavier Korbel
  5. For six weeks, Sydney Brouwer, from Venice Beach, and Megan Seth, from Manhattan Beach, have traded the palm‑lined paths of Los Angeles for the rugged, coastline of Geelong and the Surf Coast.
    LSV Media
  6. Ten years ago, Emma Olivier joined lifesaving, seeking some out-of-the-box support to achieve her training to become a lifesaver as someone with a disability.
    LSV Media
  7. “Every session captivated me. From hearing a Police Crisis Negotiator share insights to participating in a mock committee with experienced members, each part was directly relevant to leadership development.”
    Kai
  8. "I love the variety that lifesaving gives me. From patrolling and helping the community to competing and coaching the nippers, it's all so rewarding."
    Xander M
  9. “Our students thoroughly enjoyed the water-based activities, using the flotation devices to support a rescue and of course the pink rashies.”
    Tim Lappin, Drouin Primary School
  10. Venus Bay, known for its stunning yet challenging beaches, is the location for a new trial of life-saving equipment that could save lives.
    LSV's Research & Health Promotion team
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