About Surf Life Saving NSW

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) is one of New South Wales largest gazetted volunteer emergency service and a trusted, highly visible presence along the New South Wales coastline, consisting of 129 surf lifesaving clubs, approximately 86,000 members, 22,000 active frontline volunteer lifesavers, and approximately 400 professional ocean lifeguards.

As a gazetted emergency service, SLSNSW is fully integrated within the New South Wales emergency management framework, being a member of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) and State Rescue Board (SRB).

SLSNSW retains full interoperability with all other partner emergency services through approved and restricted radio networks, networked computer aided despatch platforms and enacted State Plan Response frameworks. Our UAV operations integrate seamlessly with other agencies, improving situational awareness, hazard detection, and strengthening multi-agency response across both the coastline and inland NSW, inclusive of flood, fire, and natural disaster emergencies.

Leading the Way in UAV Coastal Surveillance

SLSNSW is the largest UAV coastal surveillance operator within the Southern Hemisphere delivering advanced shark/marine coastal surveillance services on behalf of the  NSW Government to the community of NSW since 2017. It has been awarded numerous industry awards at the Australian Aviation Awards, including being named a three time winner of the UAV Business of the Year recognising the organisation’s excellence nationally.

With a highly visible presence across most coastal councils in NSW, our UAV operations provide real-time aerial surveillance that enhances situational awareness and supports faster and safer decision-making. From detecting sharks and rip currents to assisting with emergency response, our drones play a vital role in protecting lives both along the coastline and inland during major incidents.

Working seamlessly alongside lifesaving volunteers, professional lifeguards, and emergency services including Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance, our UAV capability strengthens the entire emergency response network. Powered by cutting-edge technology and driven by highly trained professionals, we are putting more eyes in the sky to keep communities safer.

Government Response to 2026 Shark Incidents

From 1 July 2026, the NSW Government’s significant investment will deliver the largest expansion of aerial shark surveillance in the world.
This program uplift will include:

  • Year-round drone coverage across all Sydney beaches (Palm Beach to Cronulla)
  • Expanded coverage to additional high-use coastal locations
  • Longer daily operations from dawn until dusk
  • Surveillance extending beyond patrolled beaches to popular unpatrolled areas
  • Continued integration of AI and advanced monitoring technologies

This investment strengthens our ability to detect hazards earlier, respond faster, and provide timely warnings to the public, ultimately saving more lives.

Membership UAV Program

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 patrolled locations; and
  • Support of search and rescue operations

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.