Skills Maintenance (Requalification) Guide

What is Skills Maintenance?

Skills Maintenance ensures that all members involved in patrol duties, Nipper Program water safety, or state/national competitions remain proficient in their skills and knowledgeable about the requirements of their patrol awards.

Skills Maintenance helps to:

  • Ensure members maintain competency in their awards

  • Uphold lifesaving standards and expertise

  • Meet legal and regulatory requirements

  • Support our commitment to public beach safety

Who Needs to Complete Skills Maintenance?

All patrolling members, including instructors and water safety personnel, must complete Skills Maintenance annually by 31 December to keep their awards current.

What’s Involved?

  • Online Theory Modules (required for some awards)

  • Practical Assessments for all relevant awards

Point Lonsdale SLSC holds at least one session in December each year for:

  • SRC

  • Bronze Medallion

  • IRB Crew & Driver

  • SSV Operator

  • ART

You can also attend Skills Maintenance sessions at other clubs across the state.

ART & First Aid Awards:

  • If you’ve earned an ART or First Aid award within the last three years, you must complete a CPR (HLTAID009) course every 12 months and attend an ART Skills Maintenance session to keep the award current.

  • Note: There is no separate First Aid requalification session.

  • If your ART/FA award is older than three years, you will need to complete the full course again.


How to Complete Skills Maintenance:

  1. Renew Your Membership

    • You must be an active (financial) member for the 2025/26 season.

  2. Complete Online Theory

    • Log in to the LSV Member Training Portal using your SLS Members Area account login details.

    • Click ‘Skills Maintenance’, enroll in the relevant modules, and complete the e-learning.

  3. Book a Practical Session

    • After completing the theory, book your practical session - walk-ins on the day are not accepted.

    • Only book sessions that match the awards you’re maintaining (e.g., don’t book an ART session if you don’t hold the ART award).

  4. Attend Your Practical Session

    • Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and briefing.

    • Follow your group through all activities and ensure your attendance is marked.

  5. Confirm Completion

    • Make sure all activities are signed off on the iPad before you leave.


Important Notes:

  • You MUST complete the e-learning and be enrolled in a session before attending.

  • There is no option to complete theory on the day of your practical session.

  • If you are starting to gain awards (U14), it is recommended that you create your own SLS Members Area account. This will allow you to login to the LSV Member Training Portal as well as keep track of your own awards and patrol hours and book into new awards and Skills Maintenance practical sessions. You can remain part of your Family Group, but it allows you access to your individual membership details.

    How to Create Your SLS Members Area Account

  • If you need to withdraw from a booked practical session, please contact:

    LSV Volunteer Training at volunteertraining@lsv.com.au

Point Lonsdale Skills Maintenance (Requal) Date:

(SRC, Bronze Medallion, IRB Crew & Driver, SSV, ART)

  • Sunday 1 December 2024 | Point Lonsdale | 10:00am - 1:00pm

    • Resuscitation (CPR) Course: 8:00am - 9:30am

Geelong Region Skills Maintenance (Requal) Dates:


Common Questions:

Do I need to requalify if I got my award this season?
No. New awards completed during the current season remain current until:

  • 31 December the following year (if obtained on/after 1 July)

  • 31 December of the same year (if obtained on/before 30 June)
    Example: A Bronze Medallion obtained in October 2024 is valid until 31 December 2025.

I haven’t requalified in a while. Can I still requalify?
Yes, if it’s been less than 5 years (60 months) since your last valid date for:

  • SRC

  • Bronze Medallion

  • IRB Crew & Driver

You can check your award proficiency date under ‘Awards’ in your Members Area account.

Can I requalify my ART/FA awards if they’re over three years old?
No. You’ll need to complete the full ART or First Aid course again.

Need Help?

For more information:

Stay current, stay safe, and thank you for your commitment to lifesaving!