Safeguarding Children and Young People | AUSTSWIM

Swim teacher supporting a child practising floating skills during a structured learn to swim session

Our commitment to children and young people

Safeguarding children and young people is central to AUSTSWIM’s purpose and practice. As Australia’s most trusted swim teacher education organisation, we are committed to creating safe, respectful and inclusive aquatic environments where children are protected, heard and supported to thrive.

Safeguarding goes beyond compliance and is embedded across our training, licensing, professional standards and development, helping swim teachers and aquatic organisations apply child-safe practices confidently in real teaching environments.

AUSTSWIM Code of Conduct

How AUSTSWIM embeds safeguarding

All AUSTSWIM teachers and trainers are expected to meet baseline safeguarding requirements, including holding a valid Working With Children Check and complying with relevant state and territory legislation.

Safeguarding is embedded within the AUSTSWIM Teacher Code of Conduct.

AUSTSWIM provides dedicated safeguarding professional development to build teacher capability and confidence.

Swim teacher providing safe, supportive instruction during a supervised adult swimming lesson

Safeguarding PD

AUSTSWIM offers dedicated safeguarding professional development to support swim teachers, trainers and aquatic organisations to strengthen child‑safe practice and apply safeguarding principles confidently in real‑world aquatic environments.

The Safeguarding Children and Young People professional development course is designed to:

Build understanding of child‑centred and survivor‑informed practice
Support teachers to recognise risk and respond appropriately
Strengthen professional boundaries, consent and respectful communication
Equip teachers with practical strategies for safe, inclusive and ethical teaching

Strengthen your understanding of safeguarding and help create safe, respectful aquatic environments for children and young people.

Licence renewal (5hrs)
AUSTSWIM Teacher $69
Non-Member $89

Online Only

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Safe handling of students in swimming and water safety lessons

Teaching swimming and water safety often requires close proximity and, at times, appropriate physical assistance. AUSTSWIM provides clear, practical guidance to support teachers to handle students safely, respectfully and confidently.

To support best practice across the sector, AUSTSWIM has developed a video and FAQs on Safe Handling of Students in Swimming and Water Safety Lessons, addressing common teaching scenarios faced by swim teachers and swim schools.

Safe Handling FAQs

Teachers can support the student by holding them under the head or using flotation devices such as a noodle or kickboard. In some cases, it may be necessary to support the student by placing hands under the shoulders. Consent should be sought from the student before doing this. There is no need to touch any other part of the student’s body.

Teachers can hold the hands of the student or use flotation devices such as a noodle or kickboard. There is no need to hold or touch any other part of the student’s body.

The teacher’s hands should be visible to parents or carers who may be observing the lesson.

No. Students should never be forced into doing something they do not want to do. This does not help students learn skills more quickly and does not align with child‑centred practice.

There should be no need to do this. Teachers should demonstrate the action and explain the breathing technique to the student.

Climbing out of the pool without steps is a learned skill and should be taught using clear teaching points such as ‘elbow, elbow, knee, knee’. If assistance is required, the teacher should first ask permission from the student before providing help. Assistance may be provided using a hand stirrup, with clear explanations given to the student.

Teachers can demonstrate the leg action themselves or ask a competent student to demonstrate. Students may practise sitting on the pool edge with knees bent and feet in the water. Teaching should focus on demonstration, explanation and repetition rather than physical manipulation.