Wading in – How to stay safe at Aussie beaches

Australia’s beaches are stunning—but they can also be dangerous if you’re not prepared. For many new migrants, the beach is both exciting and unfamiliar territory. Whether you’re heading to the coast for the first time or taking your kids for a swim, understanding basic beach safety could save your life.

Sashi Perera and Suren Jayemanne - Head Above Water podcast

This article shares practical tips from the SBS Audio podcast Head Above Water hosted by comedians Suren Jayemanne and Sashi Perera.

This episode features personal stories and expert advice from Ramzi Hussaini, a former refugee from Afghanistan turned Surf Lifesaver with Life Saving Victoria.

• What should you do before going to the beach?
• Should you swim at unpatrolled beaches?
• What are rip currents and how can you stay safe if caught in one?
• I’m an adult, is it too late to learn how to swim?
• How do I keep my kids safe at the beach?
• What if I feel uncomfortable wearing a bikini or swimmers?

What should you do before going to the beach?

Before heading to the beach, preparation is key.

• Check weather and surf conditions: Conditions can be drastically different at the beach compared to where you live. Wind, waves, and tides can all affect safety.
  
• Know where you are going and if the beach is patrolled. You can check the website and app Beachsafe, to see which beaches are patrolled, the weather forecast, wave size, danger ratings, and rip current risks. It’s available in multiple languages and includes video guides on how to identify a rip.
  
• Pack smart: Bring sunscreen (and reapply it every 2 hours), wear sun-protective clothing, and take a hat and sunglasses. Even darker skin tones can be affected by harmful UV rays, and skin cancer can impact anyone—yes, even under your toenail, as the podcast mentions!

Should you swim at unpatrolled beaches?

Australia’s beaches often have lifesavers on duty. These trained volunteers wear bright red and yellow uniforms and set up flags on the beach to mark the safest place to swim. This is called a patrolled area.

When you see the red and yellow flags, that’s the area where lifeguards are watching… If you’re in trouble, they can reach you in seconds. But outside the flags, it could take much longer—or they may not see you at all.

Ramzi Hussaini – Surf Lifesaver

But not every beach in Australia is patrolled and most of those that are, are only patrolled seasonally and at certain times of day. If there are no flags on the beach, there are no lifeguards or lifesavers looking out for you. You should not swim at unpatrolled beaches, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area or have limited swimming experience.

What are rip currents and how can you stay safe if caught in one?

Rip currents (or “rips”) are powerful, narrow currents that can quickly pull swimmers away from shore. They’re one of the most dangerous hazards at Australian beaches.

How to spot a rip:

• The water may look darker, calmer, and deeper than the surrounding area. 
• It often appears as a channel of water moving out to sea. 
• Waves may break on either side but not in the rip. 

What to do if uou’re caught in a rip:

1. Stay calm – the rip will not pull you under. 
2. Don’t swim against it – you’ll exhaust yourself. 
3. Swim sideways (parallel to the shore) to get out of the rip. 
4. If you can’t escape, float and signal for help by raising one arm. 

“Keep your nose and mouth above water, stay calm, and wait for help. Panic only makes things worse,” Ramzi emphasises.

LSV Ramzi Hussaini - Head Above Water podcast

I’m an adult, is it too late to learn how to swim?

In the podcast, Suren admits that he’s an adult living in Australia who never learned to swim.

“I can change a tire and hold down a job—but I can’t swim. And I’m missing out on so much,” he says.

Ramzi also didn’t know how to swim when he arrived in Australia. With support from Life Saving Victoria, he learned, trained, and became a Surf Lifesaver.

Swimming is a skill every Australian resident should have. Whether you’re a new migrant or have lived here for years, it’s never too late to learn.

There are swimming programs designed especially for adults and migrant communities. You can look for local community centres or council pools offering beginner adult swim classes.

How do I keep my kids safe at the beach?

Children love the beach, but they can easily get into trouble—even in shallow water.

• Always supervise your kids closely
• Never rely on inflatable toys for safety
• If you don’t swim, stay out of the water—you won’t be able to help if something goes wrong.

Ramzi recommends that families bring a flotation device just in case someone needs help and strongly encourages swimming lessons for all children.

What if I feel uncomfortable wearing a bikini or swimmers?

Many new migrants face cultural adjustments when it comes to beach attire and sun protection.

Sashi reflects on the tension between traditional modesty and local expectations around swimwear. It’s okay to wear what you’re comfortable in, as long as it's safe for swimming.

This always stresses me out, because I come from a culture where you are fully closed when you get into the ocean for modern modesty reasons. But now, I now live in a culture where being in a bikini shows that you are a strong, independent woman... I don't know where, along those lines I'm supposed to be operating.

Sashi Perera - Host

Final thoughts: safety first, fun follows

Australia’s beach culture is an incredible part of life here—but only when it’s enjoyed safely. Whether you’re learning to swim as an adult or helping your children grow up beach-smart, taking the time to understand beach safety could make all the difference.

And as Suren says, “I’m ready. Where should we start?”

Start by learning, preparing, and staying safe.

Useful Resources:

• Beachsafe Website and App 
• Life Saving Victoria – Community programs 
  

Credits

Head Above Water is a production of Deadset Studios for SBS Audio.

Hosts: Suren Jayemanne and Sashi Perera

Executive Producer: Kellie Riordan

Supervising Producer: Vanessa Wiltshire

Producer: Liam Riordan

Sound recordist: Sean Holden

Sound designer: Ryan Pemberton

Production Manager: Ann Chesterman

Artwork by Tonia Composto (The Illustration Room)

SBS Commissioning Editors: Janine Googan, Roza Germian and Maram Ismail

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.