YMCA Victoria leads sector in aquatic safety for fourth consecutive year

Lifeguards standing beside outdoor pool

YMCA Victoria has once again been named Victoria’s top-performing aquatic operator for safety and compliance, according to Life Saving Victoria’s (LSV) 2024–25 Sector Safety Report.

The latest results show the Y outperformed all other operators across both compliance and safety, achieving mean scores of 98% and 95% respectively - the highest in the state. The findings reinforce the Y’s long-term investment in high-quality risk management, training, and community wellbeing.

The report assessed 168 facilities across Victoria, including 28 managed by the Y.
YMCA facilities outperformed the state average in all 11 key assessment categories, including Work Health and Safety, Emergency Planning, and Qualifications and Training.

Regional and seasonal facilities were standouts, outperforming other seasonal operators by up to 19% in compliance, an extraordinary result that reflects the Y’s ongoing focus on consistency and culture across diverse operating environments.

Nadine Kemp, General Manager Recreation at YMCA Victoria, said the results reflect the expertise and commitment of teams working across the state.

 

Our regional and seasonal teams have delivered a phenomenal result. These centres often operate with short windows and complex logistics, yet they’re matching and beating the highest standards in the state. Our culture is strong, the training is consistent, and the results show it.


Andy Dennis, Life Saving Victoria’s General Manager – Aquatic Capability, said:

“Life Saving Victoria congratulates the Y on their outstanding commitment to safety across their aquatic facilities, evidenced through their independent Pool Safety Assessment results. This achievement not only reflects the strong systems and culture in place but also demonstrates the Y’s leadership in providing safe, high-quality environments for both staff and the communities they serve.”

Jo Hansen, Partnerships and Recreation Facilities Manager at the City of Melbourne, added:

“City of Melbourne is proud to partner with YMCA Victoria, who share our unwavering commitment to safety and delivering high-quality facilities. We have full confidence in their systems and processes, and together we work collaboratively to achieve safety excellence and better outcomes for the community.”

The Y operates more than 70 recreation and aquatic facilities across Victoria on behalf of local councils, including metropolitan leisure centres and regional pools assessed annually, biennially and triennially through Life Saving Victoria’s independent Pool Safety Assessment program.

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