Saving families on kids learn to swim lessons
Published: 13 November 2025With summer just around the corner, even more kids will get their chance to learn important water safety skills at an affordable price with bookings for the popular Aquatics and Recreation Victoria run VICSWIM Summer Kidz swim classes now open.
Since 1976, VICSWIM’s learn-to-swim program has helped generations of youngsters learn the skills, water-safety and survival knowledge that is so vital in saving lives.
CEO of Aquatics Recreation Victoria Kathy Parton said Aquatics and Recreation Victoria is pleased to offer the VICSWIM program in its 50th year.
‘VICSWIM has become a key part of the social fabric of Victoria's summer. At a time of increased drownings and cost of living pressures, VICSWIM offers a low cost Learn to Swim/water safety education program for children aged 4 to 12 years, in pools and beaches across Victoria.’
The program includes lessons to develop foundation swimming skills as well as water safety education for children aged 4 to 12 years.
Five 30-minute lessons are provided over the course of a week in January for a subsidised cost of just $43 —helping more families afford swimming lessons for their kids.
It’s part of wide-ranging efforts to stem the tide of drownings seen in recent summers, and to ensure even more kids get their chance to learn water-safety basics at lessons that are more affordable for families.
Last summer, more than 17,000 children took part at 172 locations across the state including beach and inland water venues, with 120 of these located in regional Victoria.
For many of these children, it was their only swimming lessons in 12 months, showing just how important the program is.
For more information about the Program and to book, visit VICSWIM