Protecting our coastline: Inside the DHL Express and Surf Life Saving Australia partnership

From providing critical surf rescue logistics support to empowering volunteers and driving national beach safety awareness, the collaboration between DHL Express and Surf Life Saving Australia has become one of the country’s most recognisable and impactful community partnerships.

It is a relationship built on shared values — service, vigilance, sustainability, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the Australian way of life.

As Australia’s coastlines welcome millions of visitors each year, the need for strong community partnerships has never been greater. This is the story of how the DHL–SLSA collaboration continues to evolve, delivering safety, driving environmental stewardship, and uniting communities under the iconic red and yellow.

A shared mission: Delivering safety and building community

The collaboration between DHL Express and SLSA is anchored in a common goal: To protect people and preserve Australia’s coastline for generations to come. Across three core pillars — beach safety, community engagement, and sustainable logistics — the partnership continues to create meaningful impact nationwide.

Beach safety

Every summer, surf lifesavers perform thousands of preventative actions, rescues, and first aid treatments. Their presence between the red and yellow flags saves countless lives, but maintaining this frontline safety network requires significant support behind the scenes.

A key focus of the DHL Express and SLSA partnership is turning awareness into action. At the start of the 2025 summer season, this commitment came to life through the launch of Summer Sessions, a national beach safety initiative designed to engage communities where it matters most.

Held at Coogee Beach, the event brought together SLSA volunteers, local beachgoers, and DHL Express employees to form a visible chain of safety along the shoreline. Featuring a live acoustic performance by ARIA-nominated artist Kita Alexander, Summer Sessions used music and community connection to amplify a simple but life-saving message: Check conditions, choose patrolled beaches, and always swim between the red and yellow flags.

Beyond the event itself, Summer Sessions reinforced year round safety behaviours. DHL Express also extended its support internally by rolling out water safety education for employees nationwide, helping teams better understand beach hazards and become advocates for safer coastal practices within their own communities.

DHL Express further supports SLSA’s beach safety mission through:

• Logistical support for surf rescue operations, ensuring essential equipment reaches clubs across 12,000 beaches and 52,000 km of coastline.

• National safety campaigns that promote swimming between the flags and informed decision making during peak summer months.

• Staff education and water safety initiatives, empowering DHL teams nationwide to understand beach hazards and stay safe in the surf.

With more than 198,000 SLSA volunteers and over 10,000 rescues performed each year, the partnership continues to strengthen one of Australia’s most important public safety networks.

Community engagement

Beyond patrol towers and rescue boards, the DHL and SLSA partnership plays an active role in building strong and connected communities.

Key initiatives include:

• Beach clean-ups led by DHL Express employees and SLSA members, removing plastic waste and marine debris to protect fragile ecosystems.
• Plastic reduction programmes that promote responsible consumption and encourage beachgoers to minimise waste.
• Public education events that help families identify rip currents, understand surf safety signage, and make safer choices at the beach.

These efforts reinforce DHL’s commitment to meaningful community engagement, while supporting SLSA’s vision of safer beaches and a more sustainable coastal environment.

Sustainable logistics

SLSA works tirelessly to protect Australia’s natural coastline, and DHL Express mirrors that commitment through sustainable logistics.

This includes:

• DHL GoGreen Plus, a sustainable logistics service that uses Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to help reduce the carbon emissions associated with international shipping.
• A broader focus on eco-conscious operations that align with SLSA’s mission to minimise human impact on beaches and marine life.

By integrating sustainability into its international shipping and logistics services, DHL Express shows how corporate partners can actively contribute to environmental stewardship.

Red & Yellow Day: A new national moment of unity

In March 2026, SLSA will host the first-ever Red & Yellow Day, a nationwide celebration that honours volunteers who dedicate their time, skill, and courage to keeping Australians safe in the surf.

DHL Express proudly supports this significant milestone, which invites every Australian to:

• Wear it: Dress in red and yellow on 4 March
• Fly it: Display the iconic flags or colours at schools, workplaces, and community events
• Support it: Donate or host a fundraiser to empower volunteer surf lifesavers
• Live it: Join a local Surf Life Saving Club or commit to swimming between the flags

With more than 190,000 volunteers in the Surf Life Saving movement, Red & Yellow Day celebrates the heroes who turn up season after season to protect millions of beachgoers.

A partnership with a sustainable future

The relationship between DHL Express and SLSA is more than a sponsorship. It represents a long-standing commitment to saving lives, strengthening communities, and protecting the coastline that defines the Australian way of life.

As SLSA prepares for major initiatives like Red & Yellow Day and continues working toward its vision of zero preventable deaths on Australian beaches, DHL Express remains a proud and active partner.

Together, they encourage Australians to:

• Support SLSA’s lifesaving work
• Choose GoGreen Plus to make international shipping more sustainable
• Partner with DHL Express to join a shared mission of community impact and environmental protection

When communities, volunteers, and organisations work together, the future of Australia’s beaches becomes safer, stronger, and more sustainable for everyone.