SLSNSW currently provide two separate UAV programs across NSW. The first UAV program is funded through the $8 million NSW Government Shark Management Strategy announced in June 2020 by the NSW Government and Hon. Adam Marshall. This expanded program provides greater patrol surveillance at the 34 identified locations for improved beach safety and to gather data and footage on shark behaviours. Key points of this program:
- Every coastal LGA along the NSW coastline will have at least one UAV patrol location during the 2020/21 SLS season;
- A total of 34 locations across the state under this NSW Government program with 16 new locations being added to the 18 delivered during the 2019/20 SLS season;
- Increased employment opportunities for regional areas through this funding;
- All NSW Government funded UAVs will be fitted with a speaker attachment for live and pre-recorded messaging to beach users;
- 32 SLSCs to be provided with a unit for surveillance use on weekends between holiday periods.
Download the 2020/21 UAV Surveillance locations here.
SLSNSW also operates a Membership UAV Program, where UAV services are delivered across fixed and mobile locations across the state. The UAV services are used in:
- The surveillance of sharks and other marine life;
- The identification of rip currents and other hazards; and
- The surveillance of swimmers and other beach users away from the patrolled location.
When used as part of a Surf Life Saving beach patrol, UAVs provide valuable intel which enable patrol teams to efficiently deploy people and other assets to carry out preventative actions and rescues.
Becoming a UAV Pilot
Qualifications and Training
Anyone who wishes to fly a drone for SLSNSW is required to do a two-day course. Content covered in this course includes a full day of practical flight training with an instructor and operationally specific information which includes identification of marine life and other hazards such as rip currents. If you have a current Remote Pilots Licence (RePL) or other aviation qualifications, then you may be granted recognition of prior learning (RPL) and only be required for the operationally specific aspect of the course.
All SLSNSW UAV Pilots are required to have an Aviation Reference Number (ARN). If you do not currently have an ARN, please follow the process here: Guide to ARN and Excluded Notification.
Please click here to find out about upcoming training and proficiencies for the 2020/21 season.
Please click here to complete your proficiency for the 2020/21 season.
Paid Australian UAV Service Employment
The Australian UAV Service (AUAVS) is now seeking applications for casual employment across autumn, summer, and spring holiday periods across NSW. With a presence in every coastal council, there is a position near you!
Please click on the relevant link for your current qualifications below, which will then allow you to apply for your specific area:
Please contact uav@surflifesaving.com.au with any questions regarding your application.
How to Get Involved
Surf Life Saving NSW are seeking expressions of interest from current SLSNSW members and members of the wider community to operate UAVs across 18 locations each weekend between September and April.
If you are interested in becoming a UAV Pilot, please apply below. For more information, please see our FAQs (bottom of this page) and the UAV Information Pack, after which you can click below to complete an Expression of Interest.
SLSNSW Standard Operating Procedures (UAV)
Information and Instruction Documents
Training Documents
Please find below all documents relating to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Operator’s Induction Program run by SLSNSW endorsed UAV Instructors.
All documents should be completed and signed by the relevant parties and then submitted to uav@surflifesaving.com.au.
Online Versions (preferred)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this can be very beneficial, a great way to meet new people and gain more experience.
The season dates vary between locations, however, generally from September through to April.
Surveillance must be undertaken across a 7-hour patrolling period (9am – 4pm) with two to three 15-minute flights each hour dependent upon conditions.
The minimum age requirement to be a UAV Pilot is 16 years of age.
Yes, volunteer UAV Pilot hours will count towards your patrolling hours. Please join your local club as any category of member and include this information in your Expression of Interest.
At this point in time Surf Life Saving NSW are only utilising UAVs to service those contracts we have with government and our commercial partner, Westpac. If your club is interested in being involved in the future, then please contact uav@surflifesaving.com.au
Yes! Surf Life Saving welcomes all interested members of the community to join and be a part of this great organisation.
Having your RePL is a fantastic start to your UAV operational experience, although you will still be required to complete at least one (1) day of wildlife surveillance, shark identification, induction into the SLSNSW Standard Operating Procedures, and induction into the local operating procedures.
Yes, we need to get an official application via the links above in order to engage you in proficiency programs prior to the 2020/21 season.
Please see the UAV Program Fact Sheet for more information.
The general process is as follows:
- Complete the appropriate application form linked above;
- Sign up to an SLS club, if not already done;
- Complete a UAV Operator’s Induction Program (OIP);
- Complete x2 probationary shifts with an attending UAV Operator;
- Be signed off by Branch UAV Coordinator;
- Begin being rostered and completing operations.
An RePL licence is not required nor acquired when inducted as a UAV Operator, as you would be operating with SLS under the Commercial Excluded Sub-2kg Category. As a UAV Pilot however, you will be conducting operations outside of this category, so an RePL licence is required and can be organised to be obtained through a training course conducted by our training partner, but at the Pilot’s own financial expense.
No, the course is an internally recognised award that only licences you to operate UAVs under SLSNSW's ReOC.
