AusLeisure

Queensland’s upcoming state budget will include $4.8 million over two years for a new SwimStart program to provide greater access to swimming lessons for children aged from 0 to 4 years in a bid to improve water safety.

Eligible families will be able to apply for vouchers valued up to $150. The announcement follows the success of the FairPlay program. More than 145,000 FairPlay Vouchers have been redeemed since the programs’ inception in 2019 - seeing more than $21 million contributed towards reducing the cost of sports memberships, registration or participation fees.

The FairPlay Program will continue to be available for eligible children aged five to 17 years.

Students in primary schools will continue to receive swimming lessons as part of the Water Safety and Swimming Education program.

The Queensland Government offers a range of concessions to the community to help ease cost-of-living pressures.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk advised “we know children should be learning to swim long before they start school, which is why our government is proud to launch the SwimStart program.

“Queensland is bordered by blue waters so being confident in the water is essential.

“This initiative will give kids the best start at learning to swim, and build on the swimming program offered in schools statewide.

“I’ve made it clear that our upcoming state budget will have one focus - easing cost-of-living pressures - and this program is another great example of this commitment delivering for families.”

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace shared “learning to be safe in and around water is vital in Queensland, which is why our state schools provide swimming lessons and water safety education programs from Prep to Year 6.

“We have recently quadrupled the funding available in our Water Safety and Swimming Education Grant pot and committed to funding swimming instructor qualifications for PE teachers, to ensure no child misses out.

“However we know children need to start learning to swim long before they start school – I had my child in the pool before they could walk, and these vouchers will help families right across Queensland do the same.”

For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/fairplay

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