Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is a world leader in lifesaving and coastal safety, being one of the founding members and currently holding 18 positions with the International Life Saving Federation. SLSA holds relationships with many governments and lifesaving and water safety organisations worldwide.

Formal strategic partnership agreements are held with 11 lifesaving and water safety entities throughout the world. Click here for more information (hyperlink to strategic partnerships agreement section)

To learn more about Surf Life Saving’s contribution to the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), click here. (hyperlink to ILS section)

Surf life Saving Australia is a member of international organisations and associations who share similar values. Click here to find out more. (hyperlink to international memberships)

Strategic Partnership Agreements

In addition to the membership of the International Life Saving Federation, Surf Life Saving has strong strategic alliances with:

 - Surf Life Saving New Zealand
 - Surf Life Saving Great Britain
 - Lifesaving South Africa
 - Royal National Lifeboat Institution
 - Japan Life Saving Association
 - United States Lifesaving Association Singapore Life Saving Society
 - Rashtriya Life Saving Society India
 - Irish Water Safety
 - German Life Saving Society – DLRG

Other International Liaisons include:

Australian Defence Force– SLS has provided second hand equipment and uniforms for the establishment of affiliation of surf life saving clubs in areas where the Australian Defence Force has been deployed including Dili, East Timor and Baghdad, Iraq.

International Life Saving Federation (ILS)

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) was established   in 1993 in Leuven (Belgium) and constituted in September 1994 in Cardiff (United Kingdom) by an integration of the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS) founded in 1910 and the World Life Saving (WLS) founded in 1956. ILS is a non-political, non-religious, worldwide organisation.

Vision: The InternationalLifesaving Federation (ILS) is the world authority in the global effort to prevent drowning.

Mission: The International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) is the world authority for drowning prevention and lifesaving sport. ILS leads, supports and collaborates with national and international organisations engaged in drowning prevention, water safety, water rescue, lifesaving, lifeguarding and lifesaving sport.

To learn more about ILS’s values, objectives and members visit www.ilsf.org.

Since the inception of ILS in 1993, Surf Life Saving Australia has been actively engaged with the governance of the organisation, holding the appointment of ILS President for 12 of the last 18 years.

Currently, Surf Life Saving Australia personnel hold 18 positions at ILS.

International Memberships

Surf Life Saving holds the following international memberships:

International Life Saving Federation (ILS)

Click here for further information on ILS.

International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF)

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF unites the world's maritime search and rescue organisations in one truly global body. Through IMRF, member organizations freely share their expertise and technology and openly co-operate with one another for the good of all and to achieve their common humanitarian aim – preventing loss of life in the world’s waters.

Through IMRF, the worlds maritime rescue services combine their scarce resources in support of one another, and particularly to assist less fortunate colleagues who work tirelessly and bravely to save lives in the world's poorer regions.  Together IMRF members aspire towards the vision that, one day; all users of the world's waters can do so in reasonable safety.

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