City of Newcastle’s trainee lifeguard program is giving local teens real-world experience on the sand and in the surf, expanding opportunities for young lifesavers while boosting safety across the city’s iconic beaches.
A four-strong group of high school students is spending its summer working alongside professional lifeguards through City of Newcastle’s innovative six-week traineeship, designed to turn surf lifesaving skills into practical, job-ready experience.
The paid program places trainees directly on the sand at Newcastle’s beaches and ocean baths, offering a rare opportunity to gain frontline experience during the busiest time of year.
Delivered in partnership with Hunter Surf Life Saving, the initiative has doubled in size since its 2021 launch and remains the first program of its kind in New South Wales.
The model blends structured training, real-time patrol duties and guidance from seasoned lifeguards, strengthening safety outcomes while building a pathway toward future employment.
The program is open to school-aged members of Newcastle’s 12 Surf Life Saving clubs, with participants completing up to 24 hours of rostered shifts each week.
Training also includes interview preparation and a formal induction for those progressing into the lifeguard workforce.
Since the program began, around 20 casual lifeguards have launched their careers through the traineeship, many now patrolling the city’s six beaches and two ocean baths from Stockton to Merewether.
For former trainee Jack Johns, who grew up in Newcastle, the program turned a passion for the ocean into a meaningful career, providing the confidence and skills needed to take on professional responsibilities.
The initiative also enhances collaboration between Council, Hunter Surf Life Saving and local clubs, creating a strong pipeline of talent to support beach safety now and into the future.
While Newcastle beaches have avoided major incidents this summer, a tragic start to the season elsewhere along the NSW coast has underscored the importance of well-trained lifeguards and public awareness of safety rules.
Beachgoers are reminded to always swim between the flags, avoid swimming alone and seek advice from lifeguards if unsure about conditions.
Applications for future trainee lifeguard intakes will open later in the year via City of Newcastle’s website.
