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 8-week program where you'll gain the skills you need to make the most of Sydney's incredible beaches, pools and water beds.
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 have designed a water and beach safety program to keep you safe and teach you some basic water skills.
“The return of the program over the summer helped us feel more connected to the university, brought us back as a community and allowed us to enjoy the summer, and to get active, after a long period of isolation” - Learn To Swim Participant, January 2021
What Does The Program Include?
- 8 x beginner swimming lessons with a qualified instructor at UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre.
- FREE access to UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre for the duration of the program. We provide free access to the pool to encourage you to practice in your own time.
- Goodie Bag featuring your Water Safety essentials
- Welcome Session to meet your fellow swimmers, instructors and introduce you to the expectations of the program.
- Cancer Council Sun Safety Workshop
- Water Safety Workshop
- End of Program Dinner
Who is the program for?
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This program is open ONLY TO CURRENT UNSW STUDENTS.
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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.
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Students who can confidently swim are NOT able to join the program. If you can swim 15 metres or more, you are not eligible to join the program.
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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.
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This program is only open for students who have not completed the program before.
How to Complete the Program
To complete the program you must attend at least 80% of the sessions. Those who are unable to attend the sessions will need to complete the program again the following term.
Those who complete the program will receive a $25 Gift
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 30 minutes 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.
I have a question about the program. Who can I ask?
Please email the Health Promotion Unit at [email protected].
Upcoming sessions
If you would like to be the first to know about our upcoming water safety programs at UNSW, register your interest by clicking the link below!
Term 2 2023 | 8-week program | Coming soon
Dates: TBC
Time: TBC
Cost: $75, payable via Humanitix only.
The Term 1 2023 Learn to Swim program is already underway. Term 2 2023 sessions will be added here once the registration details have been finalised.

Beach Safety Program
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 4-week program where you'll gain the skills you need to stay safe while enjoying Sydney's incredible beaches.

Become a Health & Wellbeing Ambassador
Become a part of the student lead initiative working in collaboration with the Health Promotions Team, making an impact on the health and wellbeing of UNSW students.