Skills Maintenance Check (Requals)

Skills Maintenance Check

All active and long service members must undertake their proficiency SMC before 31 December annually

—until the next session
—until the last session
—remaining before 31 December

As per SLSA Policy and NCSLSC by-laws, all Active and Long Service members with an award must:

  1. Complete a Skills Maintenance Check (SMC) before the 31st December each year, or
  2. Apply for an exemption from patrols and/or SMCs

Failure to complete may result in your membership being suspended and/or terminated.

Where are you up to?

Only two steps to complete your SMC

  1. Complete the online theory

    About 30 minutes. Mandatory — you cannot complete the practical session without it.

    hub.sls.com.au → Applications → eLearning → Training Library → “Skills Maintenance 2026/27” → Enrol in the module for your award.
    Go to the SLSA Members Hub

  2. Register for one practical session and attend it

    Two to three hours at the club, depending on your award. Sessions have a ticket cap — when one fills, pick another date.

Session dates

Register for the session you plan to attend — sessions have a ticket cap. All sessions are at North Cottesloe unless a venue is listed.

    What actually happens in a session

    A skills maintenance check allows you to demonstrate skills you already hold and to get feedback to improve. Below is a standard 7:00–10:00am Bronze session. SRC members don’t need to do the spinal or First Aid components. The 5:00am sessions on 13 and 27 November cover the same Bronze content in a tighter 2 h 30m.

    Can’t make it to your scheduled session?

    • Please unenrol via the SLSA Members Area with as much notice as possible, to allow others to attend in your place.
    • If you do not attend your enrolled SMC you will be charged up to a $50 No-Show fee.
    • A No-Show fee may also apply for late withdrawals from your registered practical session less than 48 hours before it starts.

     FAQs

    • The SMC assists with:

      Maintaining the standards of knowledge of volunteers in positions within the Club.

      Maintaining and reinforcing our service commitment to the community and public attending the beach.

      Satisfying legal and statutory requirements.

      Providing up to date training which in turn aids in confidence building.

      Updating volunteers and members of changes in policy or procedure.

    • Bronze Medallion – annually (3 hours)

      Surf Rescue Certificate – annually (2 hours)

      ART – annually (2 hours)

      Nipper Rescue Certificate - annually (1 hour)

      IRB Driver or Crew – annually (0.5-1 hour)

      Gold Medallion – annually (1 hour)

      First Aid – every 3 years

      Trainer and/or Assessor – every two years

      *SRC award holders can complete their SMC in any Bronze SMC - please select an SRC ticket and let the assessor on the day know about your SRC status.

      *IRB award holders will be contacted by email and dates also advertised in the newsletter to schedule SMCs

      *Completion of the ART course or assessment day can be used to complete your SMC requirement (contact assessment@ncslsc.com for more information)

    • It’s okay – life happens! Ensure you make time to reschedule your SMC to ensure you are proficient before 31st December.

      You will be asked to explain your non-attendance – if you do not have a reasonable explanation, you may be asked to pay No-Show penalty fee of up to a $50 to discourage this behaviour.

    • Expired 1-4 years = Standard SMC

      For members whose award(s) have lapsed for a period of greater than one year, a gap analysis needs to be completed and the member may need to complete additional training/updates to ensure they are current with the latest techniques and information.

      Please click here to enrol in a Standard SMC.

      Expired 5+ years = Extended SMC

      The SLSA Education Committee has produced a guideline that, for a period of five or more years, a member needs to complete a full assessment for that award to regain their currency. Exemptions to this guideline are possible if a member can show due to: experience, other qualifications, current work; that they retain the appropriate skill set and are current. This may be applied to either the whole award or elements of it.

      Please click here to enrol in an Extended SMC

    • A new exemption category has been created for long service members that are 65+ years old and those that have a permanent impairment that does not allow them to participate in an SMC.

      If you think you qualify please complete the exemption form and await approval. You may be required to provide evidence.

    • To maintain your SLSA awards, all active and long service members must complete a Skills Maintenance Check (SMC) prior to the 31st of December as per SLSA Policy and NCSLSC by-laws.

      If you believe you have a valid reason to be exempt from completing an SMC and Patrols, you are encouraged to apply for an exemption. This is subject to approval by the Chair of Lifesaving or Chair of Education. You will need to apply for an exemption annually via the NCSLSC office. Separate exemptions apply for:

      Medical Illness or Personal circumstances (these may include injury preventing safe participation, hospitalisation, pregnancy, relocation overseas, full-time carer status). You must apply for an exemption annually.

      Expatriate Members are automatically exempt. If you are away for the entire season you can contact the Requal officer who may be able to assist you with completing your SMC.

      Members with a permanent impairment or Long Service 65+ years old You will only need to apply for this exemption once. If your circumstances change and you wish to participate in an SMC you will need to contact the Chair of Education.

      Click here to complete the exemption form.

    • Active and Long-Service members who did not complete an SMC prior to 31st December will have a final opportunity to complete their SMC (a basic membership requirement) after which their membership status will be reviewed. Members will be contacted individually and options may include:

      • Membership Termination

      • Temporary increase in annual membership fee to Associate membership status

      Members who failed to complete their SMC prior to 31st December during the scheduled SMC sessions from Sept-Dec 2025 and were not granted a written exemption will need to complete a late SMC to maintain their membership status.

      Late SMCs will incur a $50 penalty fee paid on registration.

    Late SMC (2026-27 Season)

    Maintaining your Active or Long-Service Membership after not completing your SMC

    Members who did not complete their SMC prior to 31st December during the scheduled SMC sessions from Oct 2026 and were not granted a written exemption will need to complete a late SMC to maintain their membership status.

    There will be one final late SMC for 2026-27: TBC

    Failure to complete your basic membership requirements will result in membership termination.

    Late SMCs will incur a $50 penalty fee paid on registration.

    Fee Exemption

    Members who applied for an SMC exemption or were approved to attend a late SMC due to injury/illness, extended travel or exceptional extenuating circumstances do NOT have to pay the penalty fee - please email enquiries@ncslsc.com for the discount code.

    Use of this code will be audited.

    Competitors

    Members completing their proficiency after 31 December of the season are eligible to patrol but will not be permitted to participate in any SLSA Championship competition until 1 July later that year, even if they complete a late SMC (SLSA Policy 5.04 provides further details on competitor proficiency/patrol requirements).

    Late SMC Registration ($50 fee)