Funding boost to ease Victoria’s swimming lesson crisis

Parents desperate to get their kids into swimming lessons after years of disruptions are finally in for a reprieve.

Victoria will massively boost the number of swimming instructors across the state to teach more kids how to swim in time for summer.

The support comes after a horrific three years in which the state recorded some of its worst figures for drownings.

Community Sport Minister Ros Spence will announce new funding for VICSWIM, who provide water safety, survival and swimming programs for kids.

It will create 150 new jobs, training and improving swimming teachers in areas where there is a gap in knowledge

Those who sign up will be qualified to teach kids aged 4 to 13 and be ready for the start of the summer program in January.

The government estimates more than 4000 kids missed out in swimming lessons over the past two years and 17 lost their lives to drowning last summer.

Swim teacher Alicia Glover with her students Sam, Cameron, Tom and Ben. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

In 2020-2021, Victoria recorded its highest drowning toll in two decades with 61 lives including 15 children.

Those who sign up will receive the qualification of Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety.

Grants of up to $325 will go towards courses for new teachers while smaller grants will also be available for renewing qualifications and courses for infant and preschool classes.

“Swimming is a part of life for all Victorians and it’s so important kids learn how to be safe in and around the water, so that’s why we’re backing VICSWIM with more teachers to do this vital work,” Ms Spence said.

“This will ensure kids right across the state have access to swim safety knowledge and I encourage all aspiring swim instructors to get involved and help save lives.”

Kingswim swimming school executive manager Katie Adams said there was a shortage of instructors after classes were affected by the pandemic.

“This has had a flow on effect to families and children looking to learn to swim with swim schools unable to take on more students,” she said.

“The targeted investment is the funding injection we’ve been needing so that children can gain access to water education and swimming lessons in time for summer.

The government estimates more than 4000 kids missed out in swimming lessons over the past two years. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“We currently receive numerous inquiries for swim lessons and in the lead up to summer we expect to receive even more so highlighting the demand.

“For some children it’s about refreshing their water safety skills after years of interrupted swimming lessons and for some, it’s the very first time they’re getting in the water as part of a lesson environment.”

Ms Adams said the cooler months were a good time for families to work on their water safety skills before summer holidays.

Parents are urged to always actively supervise children around water, even shallow water, and ensure there are pool fences and other barriers in place.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria chief executive Kathy Parton said:

“The Victorian aquatics workforce is ready to grow and looks forward to welcoming the new entrants to the industry that this program will support.”