About Us

AUSTSWIM has been Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of Swimming and Water Safety since 1979. In that time, we have trained over 360,000 Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety and continue to train around 13,000 candidates annually.

AUSTSWIM has developed quality aquatic education programs for those wishing to enter the aquatic industry as a Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety, together with a range of industry-leading specialist courses that will enable candidates to become well-regarded assets in their chosen fields.

The AUSTSWIM Licence is the industry standard for Swimming and Water Safety teachers. It is delivered and recognised in each state and territory of Australia, as well as in many countries overseas.

The AUSTSWIM Teacher licence is the most well-known, widely recognised and regarded accreditation in the industry.


Mission & Vision

 

 

Our History

AN ORGANISATION OF FIRSTS

logo austswim first
AUSTSWIM’s passion for the aquatic industry has seen us grow and develop over the years, allowing us to continue offering the best teacher training to support the wider Australian community.
 
Our innovation has positioned us as an industry leader. Some of the ways we have stayed ahead and led the industry include:
  • First Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Course
  • First teacher licencing system
  • First to gain ISO certification
  • First Teacher of Access and Inclusion Course
  • First Infant and Preschool Course
  • First Adults Course
  • Heavy investment in education and learning technology 

Honour Role

Life Members

Bill Meaney
NSW
Annette Roberts 
NT
Gary Shaw 
WA
Meredith King 
VIC
Rae Szulawa 
SA
Justin Scarr 
NSW
John Kane 
QLD
Gwen Welford 
QLD
Colin Purdy 
QLD
Kirk Marks 
NSW
Bill Stewart 
TAS
John Gregson 
VIC
John Kilpatrick 
VIC
Ted Tullberg
VIC
Len Willmer
VIC
Ken Richter
SA
Geoff Hayes
WA
Brian Blanksby
WA
Iain MacWilliam
WA

Fellows

Pat Hallagan
QLD
Pam Barrie
NSW
Kirk Marks
NSW
Dawn Prowse
NSW
Ruth Arnold
NSW
Jon Donohoe
NSW
Phil Vanny
NSW
John Rigby
TAS
Peter Meaney
VIC
Betty Parssey
VIC
Clive Patrickson
VIC
Helen Wheatley
VIC
Graeme Lange
SA
Peter Conochie
WA

 

Patron

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, AC, DSC, FTSE 27th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.


Putting Quality First

AUSTSWIM prioritises providing our candidates with the most comprehensive training possible, ensuring that we create teachers who are passionate about water safety and can go on to make Australia a better place. Our courses involve more face-to-face instruction, giving you the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed as an aquatics teacher.

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO No 104975), AUSTSWIM complies with the VET Quality Framework at all times. ASQA is the national regulator for the VET sector and regulates training providers against the VET Quality Framework. AUSTSWIM issues a statement of attainment for specific Australian VET courses in accordance with the Australian Qualification Framework.

AUSTSWIM is accredited against ISO/IEC 17024 for how we train, accredit and licence AUSTSWIM Teachers in Australia. This gives the community further assurance that AUSTSWIM Teachers have the highest accreditation benchmark in aquatics. AUSTSWIM is committed to providing quality education to reduce drowning and the impact of aquatic accidents, striving for increased swim and water safety.


Why choose AUSTSWIM?

By choosing AUSTSWIM Teachers you give your customers peace of mind that they will
receive the best learning experience with world-class educators.

40 years experience

40+ years’
experience
specialising in
teacher training

Courses

Courses developed
in collaboration
with industry
for industry

Trained course presenters

The best, most
comprehensively
trained course
presenters

Comprehensive skills

The most
comprehensive
knowledge, skills
and understanding

ISO17024

ISO17024 - the
only independently
verified training
and licensing

Training options

Most training
options to support
and grow your
programs

Largest network

The largest network
of teachers,
candidates and
swim schools

 

Our Research

QUALITY

Commitment to standards

Ongoing research, in conjunction with the aquatics industry and tertiary institutions, ensures AUSTSWIM retains its position as a leader in the industry, using best-practice guidelines, in line with community expectations.

AUSTSWIM is committed to maintaining the highest industry standards by educating teachers to give people a better understanding of how to be safer in, on and around water. Across Australia, AUSTSWIM Schools of Excellence provide a positive, fun and memorable experience for people using the aquatic environment. This commitment extends to the private, commercial and local government pools that apply to become an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence.

This position is supported by independent assessments by the Joint Accreditation Scheme-Australia & New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) against the ISO 17024 standard. This accreditation followed an ISO audit and confirmed AUSTSWIM as a professional body that acts with integrity when training, assessing and certifying teachers of swimming and water safety.

peteISO 17024 acknowledges that AUSTSWIM undertakes its business in an authoritative and impartial way in all areas including:

  • Staff structure
  • Governance
  • Strategic planning
  • Industry consultation

AUSTSWIM is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) working within and complying with federal government legislative requirements. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) ensures compliance within this sector through regular reporting, reviews and independent auditing.

 

Partner with us

AUSTSWIM PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

As a not-for-profit organisation, AUSTSWIM can only continue to do such important work through the generosity of our sponsors and partners. We thank them for their ongoing support and confidence in what we do. With the support of our partners and sponsors, we are able to provide the best educational and development opportunities to communities across Australia and beyond. We will continue to educate swimming teachers, giving them all the skills necessary to make a safer Australia.
 
Becoming a Partner

BECOMING A PARTNER OR SUPPORTER

For over 40 years, AUSTSWIM has provided quality education programs across Australia and internationally. AUSTSWIM Teachers provide their students with one of life’s most important skills and assist in reducing the risk of drowning, as well as the impact of aquatic accidents. By becoming a partner or supporter, you will allow us to continue this important work. Partners of AUSTSWIM have the unique opportunity to have a direct channel with teachers, swim centres, local government representatives and educational bodies.
 
If you are interested in supporting AUSTSWIM through sponsorship, product support or community support, please fill out our partner form and we will be in touch.

AUSTSWIM AMBASSADORS

We are proud to have the support of our ambassadors Brooke Hanson, Matt Haanappel and Rachael Watson.
 

Patron

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, AC, DSC, FTSE 27th Governor-General of the  Commonwealth of Australia.