Waverley Council employs professional lifeguards to protect visitors to Bondi Beach . These professional lifeguards wear blue uniforms and work 365 days a year.

Waverley Council also employs lifeguards at Bronte and Tamarama beaches but these two beaches are not patrolled in the winter time.

The term lifeguard has been used since about 1994, prior to that the staff who patrolled the beach were known as beach inspectors. The first beach inspector, Dennis 'Dinny' Brown was appointed in 1913 to look after the swimmers at Bondi Beach.

What Qualifications do Lifeguards have?
Anyone wishing to be a lifeguard should be proficient in surf lifesaving or professional lifeguarding with experience and knowledge of open ocean surf beaches in a wide range of conditions. In addition to having completed the "Defibrillator" and "Necksafe" courses it is necessary for applicants to hold:

1. Current Class 1A Driver's Licence
2. First Aid Certificate
3. Advanced Resuscitation Certificate
4. P.W.C Waterways Licence

Applicants are also required to undergo a physical test comprising an 800 metre pool swim in under 14 minutes, 2 km sand run in under 12 minutes and simulated board and tube rescues while negotiating a surf break.

What do Lifeguards do?
They put out the flags and rescue equipment, patrol designated public surf bathing and surf craft areas as well as closely monitor dangerous swimming areas. When necessary they perform rescues and resuscitations. (When there are strong rips and a big crowd they may perform over 100 rescues a day).

In addition to the front line work they provide information on surf and beach conditions to the public and give beach and water safety talks to schools and community groups.

Seasonal Lifeguards are employed for the full swimming season on a 38-hour week on a 7 day rotating roster. Casual lifeguards are engaged as required. The casuals have to meet the same requirements as the seasonal lifeguards.

When are the beaches patrolled?
Bondi Beach is patrolled 365 days a year. Bronte and Tamarama beaches are not patrolled in the winter time.

Lifeguard hours of operation at Bondi Beach
May to September 8am – 5pm
24 September – 27 October 6am – 6pm
28 October – March 6am – 7pm
April 6am – 6pm

The Lifeguards’ first aid rooms are located in the Pavilion.

Lifeguard hours of operation at Tamarama Beach
Mid-May to September (no lifeguards on duty)
24 September – 27 October 9am – 6pm
28 October – March 9am – 7pm
April (after daylight saving) 9am – 6pm

The Lifeguards' first aid room is located in the park near the Tama Café.

Lifeguard hours of operation at Bronte Beach
Mid May to September (no lifeguards on duty)
24 September – 27 October 6am – 6pm
28 October 2000 – March 6am – 7pm
April 6am – 6pm

The Lifeguards' first aid room is located in the Bronte Surf Club, near the promenade

Lifesavers
The volunteer lifesavers wear red and yellow uniforms and assist the lifeguards on the beach at weekends and on public holidays during the summer period. There are four surf life saving clubs at Council’s three beaches: Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club, and two at Bondi Beach - the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club and the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. These clubs were founded in the early 1900's.