Learn to Swim pilot program partners with 15 providers to offer free swimming lessons for at-risk groups

Kids and adults will be able to access up to 10 free swimming lessons through their local pool or swim school under an overhaul to the state swim program. See the list of eligible providers.

Children and adults from regional, disadvantaged, and culturally diverse communities will be able to access up to 10 free swimming lessons under a new initiative to target those most at-risk of drowning, after the last swim scheme failed to prevent deaths.

The Minns government has partnered with 15 local swimming providers including councils, swim schools, and the Royal Life Saving Society to deliver free swimming and water safety lessons in the coming months through its new ‘Learn to Swim’ pilot program.

It comes after an evaluation of the former First Lap voucher program found it was not working, with children from higher socio-economic areas redeeming three times more vouchers than those born overseas or living in regional areas, while adults were completely left out despite representing the majority of drowning deaths.

Sport Minister Steve Kamper said the $6m program will ensure those who are most at risk from drowning can learn to swim, after more than 25 per cent of drowning victims last year were born overseas.

“The learn-to-swim and water safety programs delivered by the providers will equip our most at risk members of the community with vital swimming and water safety skills,” Mr Kamper said.

The Minns government has partnered with 15 providers to deliver the free lessons. Picture: AAP/IMAGE-Flavio Brancaleone

“Critically, it will mean more NSW residents can swim safely next summer and provide cost-of-living relief at a time when those groups need it most.

“This was reinforced by the results of the National Drowning Report 2024 that found multicultural communities, disadvantaged communities and people living in regional areas had higher rates of drowning than other parts of the community.”

A report commissioned by the Office of Sport and delivered by the University of NSW (UNSW) found the axed $100 voucher scheme was only able to deliver 1-2 swimming lessons, which was not enough for a child to become a competent swimmer.

Instead the new program will deliver lessons directly through local schools and pools for the next two years to make it easier for families to access the service.

Communities in the western, southern and Hills district suburbs of Sydney will have access to six providers, while the Royal Life Saving Society will offer lessons in the Riverina Murray, Central West, North Coast, and Central Coast alongside local swim schools.

An individual child or adult will be able to access as many as 10 free lessons, depending on the provider in their area.

City of Parramatta Council Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter said the council welcomed the opportunity to equip local communities with an essential life skill.

Sport Minister Steve Kamper said the $6m program will help those most at-risk. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“We have local residents from 128 nationalities who speak 117 languages, so it’s vital that we support people of all ages and backgrounds to learn to swim,” Mr Zaiter said.

“This investment by the NSW Government will help us deliver these essential Learn to Swim classes and this funding will not only save lives but help build community and lifelong skills.”

Originally published as Learn to Swim pilot program partners with 15 providers to offer free swimming lessons for at-risk groups