Qld Government’s SwimStart program funding doubled

The state government’s SwimStart program has been doubled courtesy of a $5 million injection, with hundreds of extra families eligible for the $150 vouchers.

Hundreds of additional Queensland families are set to be afforded access to swimming lessons aimed to improve water safety among kids and reverse the state’s concerning drowning statistics.

The state government’s SwimStart program has been doubled under the new Steven Miles leadership through an additional $5 million injection.

The program is aimed at improving water safety for children kids under four and help address Queensland’s drowning statistics.

According to the Royal Life Saving Australia’s latest drowning report, 61 people in Queensland drowned between July 2022 and June 2023, with 10 per cent of those aged 0-4.

The program will deliver vouchers valued at up to $150 per cent for swimming lessons with registered providers up to June 2025.

Nearly 1500 SwimStart vouchers have already been redeemed with about 180 providers registered across the state.

Steven Miles with his daughter Bridie, 9, at Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre in Maroochydore. Picture: Annette Dew

Premier Steven Miles said every Queensland parent knows the importance for kids to have the water safety knowledge from an early age.

“My kids have grown up around pools and Queensland beaches and it was so important to Kim (his wife) and I that they felt confident in the water,” Mr Miles said.

“We know households are feeling the national cost-of-living pressures, which is why we’re doubling the amount of SwimStart vouchers available to families with young children.”

The doubled investment follows The Courier-Mail’s Save Our Schoolkids 2.0 campaign, which resulted in a government audit of swimming lessons and education in all state schools.

Little Snappers Swim School director Mai Dalle Cort has seen the impact of the vouchers first hand.

“SwimStart has had a very real impact on families where our schools are located,” she said.

“Because of the program, more families are now able to access lessons, with close to 15 per cent of our client base using SwimStart vouchers.

“It has also enabled families to include siblings, where previously they have had to choose which child could have lessons because of household financial constraints.”

Former Olympic gold medallist Brooke Hanson said every child should have the chance to learn lifesaving swimming skills to improve safety in, on and around water.

“As a mum, it was incredible to see my kids learning when they were six months old, being able to get to the side of the pool,” Ms Hanson said.

“They weren’t able to crawl at that stage, but they were learning to swim, which is such a valuable skill they will take through life.”