Free swimming lessons for Years 1-6 from next year in the Northern Territory

Free swimming lessons for all primary school students will roll out next year, a $3m investment helping the Territory to shed its title as Australia’s drowning capital.

Free swimming lessons for all primary school students will roll out next year, a $3m investment helping the Territory to shed its title as Australia’s drowning capital.

From 2025, all NT children in Years 1 to 6 will have the opportunity to develop skills in swimming and water safety in school.

Government and non-government schools will receive funding to provide free swimming lessons, as well as support the costs of transport to get students to swimming lessons.

For remote schools with limited access to pools, tailored programs will be developed using both public and privately owned pools with transport and accommodation costs covered.

Free swimming lessons for primary students will roll out next year. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Royal Life Saving NT said too many young Territorians had been missing out on key survival skills for too long.

“We have the highest drowning rate per capita in the whole of Australia,” executive director Floss Roberts said.

“This has been further exacerbated by children not learning swimming and water safety skills in primary school.

“This program will change the water safety culture for children and their families and improve children’s knowledge, skills and confidence across the Northern Territory.”

Executive Director of Royal Life Saving NT Floss Roberts.

Chief Minister Lia Fioncchiaro said cost of living should not be a barrier to water safety.

“With our fantastic outdoor lifestyle, learning to swim is a fundamental skill all Territory children should have,” she said.

“Our government understands the cost of school swimming lessons can be a financial barrier for participation.

“Our free swimming and water safety program in schools will equip young Territorians with lifesaving skills and improve their ability to be safe around water.”

Risk of drowning in the NT is three times higher than the rest of the country.

The swimming in schools program will be provided in addition to the government’s Sport Voucher Scheme parents can already access.

Woodroffe Primary School principal Kristy West said many parents were using their sport vouchers to help fund the cost of swimming lessons.

“Under these (new) arrangements, schools will be funded to provide swimming lessons, meaning parents will be able to use their sports voucher on other forms of sport and recreation,” Ms West said.

Originally published as Free swimming lessons for Years 1-6 from next year in the Northern Territory