Individuals or businesses wishing to conduct a Learn To Surf school on Gold Coast beaches need a permit from us.
Permit holders are required to operate from approved designated locations. There are also seven additional locations available for use by all permit holders for group bookings or as a back-up if conditions are deemed unsafe at the permit holder’s approved location/s.
In July 2024, we undertook an open application process to obtain a learn to surf school permit. A further open application process took place in both June 2025 and September 2025 following the introduction of three new designated locations.
Successful applicants are permitted to operate at one or more of the thirty designated locations for the period 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026 with an option to renew their permits through to 31 August 2027.
In July 2027 we will undergo another open application process for all locations.
View the list of successful applicants: Surf School permit holders 2024–2027(PDF, 134KB)
There are currently no available locations. If a location becomes available, it will be advertised on this webpage.
Before submitting an application, please refer to our:
Application evaluation process
Applications will be evaluated using a two-gate methodology using the criteria listed below:
Gate 1: Mandatory criteria
Applications that do not comply with the mandatory criteria will be deemed a non-conforming application:
- Insurances
- Risk management and safety processes
Gate 2: Scoring criteria
We will shortlist applications based on a combination of capability and local business and industry factors:
- Local benefits
- Site impact and suitability
- Professionalism and capability
- Community contribution and social benefit
- Risk management and safety processes