Aspiring swim instructors encouraged to apply for Victoria’s Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program

July 5, 2023

Aquatics / Education /

The Victorian Government has announced that applications for the Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program have been extended until 31st May 2024 with 16-year-olds now also eligible to participate in the program. The program now also offers the opportunity to learn to teach people with a disability how to swim.

The Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program aims to create more jobs for young people and pave an important pathway to a rewarding career – boosting opportunities for students and supporting sector growth.

Aspiring young swim instructors can get involved by approaching participating aquatic centres that have received funding under the Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program.

Aquatics Recreation Victoria Chief Executive Kathy Parton notes “This program is a great launch pad to the creation of long-term career opportunities for young people with the passion to influence individual and community health and wellbeing for Victorians.”

Geelong Leisurelink swim instructor Madison Evans shared “It’s really rewarding to see how the children improve and look back and think you taught them those things.”

Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence notes “I encourage all aspiring swim instructors to be quick off the blocks, help us save more lives, and take advantage of all the career possibilities that the Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program opens up.”

Victorian Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman adds “We’re delighted with the success of the Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program announced as part of Victoria’s Youth Strategy, it is turning the tide so even more Victorians can take the splash into new careers like this.”

The Victorian Government grants also include up to $195 per teacher for renewal of Swimming and Water Safety Teacher licences, with the addition of up to $285 per teacher toward Participants with a Disability During Aquatic Activities courses.

These grants provide an important entry point for swim instructors to begin or continue their career in the aquatic sector, helping Victorians of all ages learn vital water safety skills and survival knowledge. The program is part of a wider range of State Government initiatives to ensure more Victorians get the chance to learn swimming basics.

Other initiatives include the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program and the Get Active Kids Voucher program which help to lower the barriers to participation and make swimming lessons more accessible to all Victorians.

The Government is also investing $55.2 million to support swim and water safety education programs in schools.

For more information, including the list of successful recipients and links to videos visit sport.vic.gov.au

Image. Credit: Leisurelink

27th June 2023 - Malaysian Sports Ministry introduces free swimming lessons for children from low income families

19th June 2023 - Historic partnership between Swimming Australia and Australian Swimmers Association unveiled in Melbourne

26th May 2023 - Carlile Swimming sold to ASX-listed investment house Washington H. Soul Pattinson

14th April 2023 - Skill shortage sees Shepparton Aquamoves cancel some swimming lessons

8th April 2023 - Swimming Australia’s Deadly Little Dolphins initiative to strengthen swimming skills for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

4th April 2023 - Audit of Queensland State Schools shows 99% deliver swimming lessons

31st January 2023 - New partnership between The Y NSW and Rainbow Club makes swimming lessons more accessible for young people with a disability

23rd January 2023 - SWIM Jobs Victoria looks to fill more aquatic industry roles

15th January 2023 - Royal Life Saving data shows 20% increase in children’s post-pandemic swimming lessons

13th January 2023 - World Aquatics concerned about swimming pool closures and restrictions

11th December 2022 - Demand increases for swimming lessons and activities at Benalla Aquatic Centre

5th December 2022 - City of Ballarat introduces important changes for children swimming at their pools this summer

20th October 2022 - Swimming Australia announces new strategic partnership with Australian Swim Schools Association

1st August 2022 - Swim Schools encouraged to participate in Learn2Swim Week

22nd February 2022 - Swim school enrolments return to 95% of pre-COVID levels

22nd September 2021 - Royal Life Saving announces new partnership program for swim schools

7th July 2021 - With swim schools facing permanent closure industry leader calls for learn-to-swim services to be classed as an essential service

16th February 2021 - SwimDesk expands software functionality for swim schools

13th September 2020 - Royal Life Saving survey suggests that swim school enrolments fell by 30% in August

19th May 2020 - ASCTA releases best practices for restarting swim schools and learn to swim programs

4th November 2013 - Parents value swimming and water safety lessons above other out-of-school activities

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.