The Department of Recreation, Sport and the Arts has developed the SwimStart program where more than 30,000 vouchers will be available, valued up to $150, for eligible children aged four years or less to begin swimming lessons.
The program will help families experiencing cost-of-living pressures to access lifesaving swimming lessons.
The Department’s announcement followed the success of its FairPlay program which resulted in more than 145,000 FairPlay vouchers being redeemed, 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, while students in primary schools will continue to receive swimming lessons as part of the Water Safety and Swimming Education program.
Minister for Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe said that with almost 7,000 kilometres of coastline, numerous inland waterways and perfect weather, being able to swim was an important skill for Queenslanders to have.
“Learning the basics of water safety is something young Queenslanders can build on and carry with them for life,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“While there’s no substitute for parental supervision, we don’t want family finances to be a barrier to preschool-aged Queenslanders learning about water safety.”
Minister for Education, Grace Grace said her Department recently quadrupled the funding available in its Water Safety and Swimming Education program and was committed to funding swimming instructor qualifications for PE teachers.
“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,” Ms Grace said.
