Palaszczuk Government to kick start swim program for Queensland kids

• Queensland’s State Budget will include $4.8 million over two years for a new SwimStart program
• More than 30,000 vouchers available valued up to $150 for eligible children aged 0 – 4 years, allowing Queensland kids to dive into swimming lessons earlier
• The funding will help families experiencing cost-of-living pressures to access lifesaving swimming lessons.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today launched a new lifesaving program, aimed at teaching Queensland kids how to swim.

SwimStart will provide greater access to swimming lessons for children aged 0 – 4 in a bid to improve water safety.

Eligible families will be able to apply for vouchers valued up to $150, amounting to a $4.8 million investment over two years from the Palaszczuk Government in the upcoming State Budget.

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 5 – 17 years.

These important budget commitments continue to break down the financial barrier of participating in sports, allowing Queensland kids to enjoy more active lifestyles.

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

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

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“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.”

Quotes attributable to the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“We are now supporting even more of our youngest Queenslanders to learn to swim.

“Learning to swim is an essential skill for all Queenslanders, and the younger we can get all our children in the pool, the sooner they can start building their confidence in the water.

“This is why we are allocating $4.8 million over 2 years in this year’s Budget, to add learn to swim activities for 0 to 4 year olds.

“SwimStart is based on our successful FairPlay program, which supports disadvantaged families to access sport and active recreation activities through a voucher system.”

Quotes attributable to Education Minister Grace Grace:

“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.” 

Quotes attributable to Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:

“With almost 7,000 kilometres of coastline, numerous inland waterways and perfect weather, being able to swim is 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.

“SwimStart is based on the Palaszczuk Government’s signature FairPlay program which helps eligible low-income families with the cost of sport participation fees.

“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.” 

Further information:

Parents, carers or guardians with a valid Services Australia Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card can apply for a voucher for their children.

FairPlay provides vouchers valued up to $150 for an eligible child to put towards sport and active recreation membership, registration or participation fees for eligible activities.

Swimming squad training and coaching with registered not-for-profit providers continue to be available through the FairPlay Program for eligible 5 to 17-year-olds.

For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/fairplayvouchers.

ENDS

Media contact:

Geoff Breusch (Treasurer) - 0417 272 875

Darren Roberts (Minister Hinchliffe) - 0427 475 089