Learn to Swim Program

Want to feel more confident in the water?

Water and beach culture are part of the Australian experience, but what if you didn’t grow up here, or didn’t have the opportunity to learn these skills, does that mean you can't get involved? – NOT AT ALL!

If you're looking to feel more confident in the water, meet new people and learn more about the Australian water and beach culture then join us for this award winning 8-week program where you'll gain the skills you need to make the most of Sydney's incredible beaches, pools and waterways.

The program is brought to you by UNSW Health Promotion Unit in partnership with Medibank, the UNSW Fitness & Aquatic Centre, and Coogee Surf Life Saving Club. This program includes 8 x 1-hour sessions with a qualified instructor to work on your swimming skills and water safety. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to stay safe at the beach, meet new friends and learn life skills that will improve your well-being.

Community Education Program of the Year 2022 Austswim

What Does The Program Include?

8 x 1 hour beginner swimming lessons with a qualified instructor at UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre.
Access to UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre swimming pool for the duration of the program.
Goodie Bag featuring your Water Safety essentials
Welcome Session to meet your fellow swimmers, instructors and introduce you to the expectations of the program.
Learn to Swim mentor to provide you with tips, advice and support throughout the program.
Water Safety Workshop
End of Program Dinner
Students who attend at least 80% of swimming lessons or complete the entire program will be eligible for certificate of completion and an exciting gift worth 25$.

Who is the program for?

Eligibility Criteria

This program is open  only to current UNSW students. Both domestic and international students are able to participate in the program.
The program is designed to teach students with little or no swim experience. You do not need any prior experience with swimming to join the program. 
Students who can confidently swim are NOT encouraged to join the program. If you can swim 15 metres or more, you are not eligible to join the program. 
We expect you to attend ALL sessions. This is a highly sought-after program and is heavily subsidised by Medibank and UNSW Health Promotions Unit.
This program is only open for students who have not completed the program before.

At the welcome session we will be conducting an assessment. We reserve the right to cancel your ticket if you do not fulfil the eligibility criteria.

How much does the program cost?

The program costs $75 per person. Students who attend at least 80% of swimming lessons (6 out of the 8 sessions or more) will be eligible for an exciting gift worth $25 AUD. This could be a voucher, merchandise such as a hoodie or some other item.

The UNSW Health Promotions team are able to provide the Learn To Swim program at a heavily subsidised rate for UNSW Students to ensure their safety and wellbeing while studying at UNSW. Swimming lessons at the Fitness & Aquatic Centre are currently available for $38 for 1 hour each fortnight. The Learn To Swim program offers an intensive one-hour session each week for 8 weeks. We endeavour to ensure our programs are accessible to all students while still providing a high-quality and meaningful experience. If you require financial support, please get in contact!

Registration Information

Registrations can be refunded or exchanged to a different session (depending on availability) up until 3 days before the program. Once the program has started, there will be no refunds except in exceptional circumstances.

Please note that students are not allowed to switch between classes throughout the program and are not entitled to a make-up session if they miss a class.

I have a question about the program. Who can I ask?

Please email the Health Promotion Unit at [email protected].

Upcoming Sessions

The Term 1 2025 Learn to Swim Program is currently underway. Registrations to join the Term 2 Program will open from Friday 23rd May 2025 at 9:00 am AEST onwards.

As space in the program is highly limited, please ensure you have finalised your timetable, have read through the eligibility criteria and can commit to the entire program BEFORE registering. If the session you would like to join is sold out, please ensure you are on the waitlist. Spots will be automatically offered if they become available.

Term 1 2025 | Monday Afternoon Session [SOLD OUT]

Time: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Dates: Monday 24th February - Monday 14th April 2025