More Queensland families will have access to swimming lessons for their young children with a $5 million boost to the State Government’s SwimStart learn to swim program.
SwimStart is designed to improve water safety for children up to the age of four, while helping to ease cost-of-living pressures for eligible families.
The program delivers vouchers valued up to $150 per child for swimming lessons.
There is a limit of one voucher per child per financial year.
SwimStart vouchers can be redeemed with close to 180 registered activity providers across the state.
The additional $5 million more than doubles funding to the SwimStart program up to June 2025.
Students in primary schools will continue to receive swimming lessons as part of the Water Safety and Swimming Education program.
Swimming squad training and coaching with registered not-for-profit providers continues to be available through the Queensland Government’s FairPlay Program for eligible five to 17-year-olds.
Queensland Premier Mr Steven Miles said every parent in Queensland knows just how important it is for kids to know what to do around water from an early age.
“My kids have grown up around pools and Queensland beaches and it was so important to Kim and I that they felt confident in the water,” he said.
“We know households are feeling cost-of-living pressures, which is why we’re doubling the amount of SwimStart vouchers available to families with young children.”
Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Mr Cameron Dick said national cost of living pressures are creating challenges for Queensland families.
“Which is why, in 2024, the government will freeze car registration and public transport fares, provide free kindy, deliver the largest energy rebates of any state and extend our successful SwimStart program,” he said.
“By extending SwimStart, the Government is ensuring Queensland children won’t miss out on important swimming lessons as a result of national cost of living pressures.”
For more information on SwimStart visit www.qld.gov.au/swimstart
