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SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE
AUSTSWIM Candidates Completing Workplace Training
The workplace training requirements for AUSTSWIM Candidates completing the Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Licence, since April 2024, have changed and the FAQs below have been put together to help venues and their Candidates.
FAQs – AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety, Candidate Handbook
Yes, to include the required assessment tasks. It has also been colour-coded – the pages in green represent work to be undertaken by the Candidate at the face-to-face part of the course and the pages in black are for work undertaken by the Candidate during the workplace training part of the course.
The Candidate must complete the form and it must be signed by the AUSTSWIM Trainer on the day.
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The AUSTSWIM or accredited Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety must fill in the boxes on the lines from 1-10. The Swim School Coordinator/Manager/Deck Supervisor/Swim School owner must sign the end of the Workplace Training Logbook where it says, “Recommendation for Teaching Under Supervision”.
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The Workplace Training Logbook outlines all the skills required to be taught by the units of competency in the swimming and water safety skillset (SISSS00132). Additional training is at the discretion and advice of the aquatic venue/swim school.
The Candidate must complete all the required fields.
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The Candidate must teach each lesson with a minimum of four (4) students and the lesson should be for 30 minutes. The regular class teacher remains in the water, supervising the Candidate.
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The supervising AUSTSWIM or accredited Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety must complete the required fields. This is NOT done by the Swim School Manager, Deck Supervisor, Swim School Coordinator / Swim School Owner.
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The five (5) lesson plans (pages 14 – 16) must be signed off by the person who is in the water as supervisor with the student (not the deck supervisor)
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The Record of Workplace Training and Teaching Under Supervision, (page 17), must be signed by the Swim School Coordinator/Manager/Deck Supervisor/Swim School Owner.
This must be signed by the Swim School Coordinator/Manager/Deck Supervisor/Swim School Owner.
The supervising teacher in the water is required to sign each line of the Workplace Training Logbook. In some circumstances, particularly in regional and remote areas or small independent swim schools, this person could also be the Swim School Owner. If there is any doubt, please contact AUSTSWIM for further clarification.
Yes. The Candidate Handbook must be completed as per the instructions in that version of the Candidate Handbook.
The requirements are as set out in that version of the Candidate Handbook. Candidates must also complete nine (9) lesson observations.
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In Vocational Education and Training (VET), the Assessor is a person who holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116 or equivalent). All AUSTSWIM Trainers hold this qualification and can assess practical tasks undertaken during the face-to-face part of the course. Once the Candidate has completed and submitted their Candidate Handbook to AUSTSWIM, a team of in-house VET Assessors mark and finalise the remaining assessment tasks.
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The supervising teacher of swimming and water safety must have at least two (2) years’ experience. They may be an AUSTSWIM Teacher or any other accredited Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety.
Due to the change in assessment requirements, the Candidate will need to attend the face-to-face part of the course again (two days or equivalent. This will be at no extra cost to the Candidate.
The Candidate can attend the part of the face-to-face component that they missed (e.g. the second day). Candidates should contact AUSTSWIM to re-book.
The completed Candidate Handbook must be uploaded to AUSTSWIM via the AUSTSWIM Teacher Hub. To do this, Candidates must have set up their Streamline account. Instructions can be found at Welcome to Streamline | AUSTSWIM
AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Course
The review of the Sports, Aquatics and Recreation skillset highlighted a need for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to provide more consistent, job and pool-ready swimming and water safety teachers. As a result, five new units of competency were brought in, that supersede the previous units:
The Swimming and Water Safety Skillset, SISSS00132, now includes the following five units of competency:
- SISCAQU020 Perform water rescues
- SISCAQU023 Plan swimming lessons
- SISCAQU024 Teach water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills
- SISCAQU025 Teach aquatic safety and survival skills
- SISCAQU026 Teach swimming strokes
These new units of competency contain more assessment tasks for a candidate to undertake, including, but not limited to, writing six 30-minute lesson plans and teaching nine 30-minute lessons, hence the update of the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course from April 2024.
Swim schools are pivotal in training and developing the next generation of AUSTSWIM Swimming and Water Safety Teachers.
With nearly 10,000 AUSTSWIM candidates completing their industry training annually in aquatic centres and swim schools across the country and overseas; the aquatic workforce is integral to the community and in teaching lifesaving skills.
An AUSTSWIM Teacher is responsible for teaching many students every week, some may even teach over 100 students weekly depending on the number of hours they work. This highlights the significant reach and influence of our swim school network.
Every course that AUSTSWIM offers aligns with industry standards and guidelines, ensuring future AUSTSWIM Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety receive the most up-to-date knowledge and skills that have been taught to them by our team of qualified AUSTSWIM Trainers and Assessors.
Training packages in the VET sector (Vocational Education and Training) are updated regularly to ensure they remain current with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
There is a requirement for workplace training, and the purpose is for the Candidate to gain on-the-job experience. It requires the candidate to:
- Gain appropriate experience by observing AUSTSWIM or other accredited Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety teach swimming and water safety activities to students with a range of ages and abilities.
- Gain appropriate experience by co-teaching swimming and water safety activities to students with a range of age and abilities whilst under direct supervision.
Together, we are building a sustainable and robust workforce that meets the needs of our community every day.
Become an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence
The AUSTSWIM School of Excellence recognition acknowledges, encourages and supports excellence in aquatic training. This recognition assists in safeguarding the interests of participants who seek to engage the services of AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers. The recognition offers quality assurance to the wider community, by recognising and promoting swim centres that operate under strict industry guidelines and follow best practice.
Swim schools committed to providing quality aquatic education programs through the employment of AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers are eligible to be recognised under the AUSTSWIM Schools of Excellence.
The AUSTSWIM School of Excellence recognition is not a membership scheme but a badge of honour awarded to swim schools that employ teachers with the highest level of training across Australia.
AUSTSWIM Schools of Excellence have garnered a strong reputation and are increasingly sought-after by parents, caregivers and participants. Parents and participants can locate a quality swim school by using the AUSTSWIM School of Excellence locator.
The AUSTSWIM School of Excellence recognition is not a membership scheme but a badge of honour awarded to swim schools that employ teachers with the highest level of training across Australia.
AUSTSWIM Schools of Excellence have garnered a strong reputation and are increasingly sought-after by parents, caregivers and participants. Parents and participants can locate a quality swim school by using the AUSTSWIM School of Excellence locator.
An AUSTSWIM School of Excellence recognition is valid for 12 months and has a quick annual renewal process.
The AUSTSWIM School of Excellence recognition levels are as follows:
Previously GOLD level recognition, the newly named PLATINUM School of Excellence assures the community that all teachers hold a current AUSTSWIM Teacher Licence and the swim school has held an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence Premium recognition for a minimum of 5 consecutive years.
Previously SILVER level recognition, the newly named PREMIUM School of Excellence assures the community that all teachers hold a current AUSTSWIM Teacher Licence.
This is with the exception of current ASCTA accredited coaches who are employed for squads/coaching only and accredited aqua instructors employed for aqua classes only.
Previously BRONZE level recognition, the newly named STANDARD School of Excellence assures the community that has a preference for employing AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers. The teachers may still be working towards meeting the licencing requirements and may not hold an AUSTSWIM Licence. Regardless of qualifications held, all teachers meet the minimum requirements for training and assessment, as outlined in the RLSSA Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation.
Information For Parents and Caregivers
Why choose an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence?
By choosing an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence, parents and caregivers have peace of mind knowing their child is at a swim school that employs AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers – the highest-trained Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety nationwide. AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers have undertaken world-class training, are fully insured and abide by a Code of Conduct in their day-to-day teaching.
Currently, there are no laws covering the requirement of water safety teacher training in Australia. To receive an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence recognition, every teacher must be trained to the highest standard.
AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers undertake training in early childhood development and appropriate skill development and are trained to nurture, motivate and enhance water safety knowledge.
Currently, there are no laws covering the requirement of water safety teacher training in Australia. To receive an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence recognition, every teacher must be trained to the highest standard.
AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers undertake training in early childhood development and appropriate skill development and are trained to nurture, motivate and enhance water safety knowledge.
What expectations should I have from a swim school?
Parents and carers should always check that a swim school has AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers, which is evident by the Accredited AUSTSWIM Teachers sticker. AUSTSWIM Licensed Teachers abide by a Code of Conduct, hold current CPR certifications, a valid Working with Children Check and are covered by AUSTSWIM Licensed Teacher Insurance.
You should also expect that a swim school promotes an environment that is welcoming, appealing and safe. All activities should provide a positive contribution to your child’s physical, psychological, social and emotional growth. Participation in aquatic activities should be a pleasant educational experience where children are encouraged to learn at their own pace and never be pushed into water activities before they’re ready.
Swimming and water safety lessons should include water familiarisation activities, water safety education, skill acquisition and parent involvement/education. Additionally, each activity should be appropriate for a child’s age, development, and ability.
AUSTSWIM recommends a program that encompasses:
THINKING:
Inquiry and
solution.
EXPLORING:
Diversity in aquatic environments.
DEVELOPING:
Water safety skill with swimming strokes.
DOING:
Move in a range of body positions through water.
Parents can use the AUSTSWIM Learning Pillars for assessing and selecting a quality program for their children – where knowledge, skill and understanding forms a central focus for learning.
KNOWLEDGE:
Water awareness and familiarity gained by experience and education.
SKILL:
The learned ability to successfully participate in water activities.
UNDERSTANDING:
Gain insight and good judgement in and around aquatic locations.
I am an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence
The AUSTSWIM School of Excellence hub is the hub for useful information relating to swim schools and the benefits AUSTSWIM provides.
As the National body for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety in Australia, we advocate for the sector and help it to grow and improve by providing tools, resources, education and connections.
Resources and Policies
Our Guidelines are devised by industry stakeholders in a consultative and transparent process and represent the collective opinion of the aquatics industry and a range of expert personnel across Australia.
Local government, education departments, teachers and consumers can be confident that AUSTSWIM-trained and accredited educators meet the highest standards to foster safer aquatic participation.
This information centre contains application forms and material relevant to AUSTSWIM teachers, presenters and recognised swim schools.
Local government, education departments, teachers and consumers can be confident that AUSTSWIM-trained and accredited educators meet the highest standards to foster safer aquatic participation.
This information centre contains application forms and material relevant to AUSTSWIM teachers, presenters and recognised swim schools.