Swim Schools | AUSTSWIM

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 swim schools across the country and overseas, our workforce is integral to the community and in teaching lifesaving skills.

Each AUSTSWIM licensed teacher can teach up to 100 students per week, highlighting the significant reach and influence of our swim school network.

AUSTSWIM's training package aligns with industry standards and regulations, ensuring future AUSTSWIM Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety receive the best learning experience.

Training Packages are subject to updates to ensure they align with industry standards and regulatory requirements. The Sport, Aquatics and Recreation training package is delivered by several Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), including AUSTSWIM.

There is a requirement for workplace training, and the purpose is for the candidate to gain work 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.

The review of the Sports, Aquatics and Recreation skill set highlighted a need for RTO’s (Registered Training Organisations) to provide more consistent, pool ready teachers. A new Unit of Competency was added - Plan Swimming Lessons - which required additional workplace training and more workplace supervision. Candidates are required to do nine (9) Workplace Observations and 5 lesson plans. The other 4 Units of Competency also had minor changes, which means they are no longer equivalent to the TSW23 Units of Competency.

AUSTSWIM was the first to include the new units in the Candidate workplace requirements. We received feedback from AUSTSWIM recognised swim schools who expressed concern about the amount of additional work they were being asked to undertake. Using this highly valuable feedback, AUSTSWIM have introduced TSW24 which better captures these changes to the new Skill Set.

AUSTSWIM recognises swim schools' invaluable contribution in shaping the future generations of Swimming and Water Safety Teachers. By keeping the 2-day course delivery model we are supporting swim schools by minimising the workplace training assessments and covering these in the Face-To-Face component of the course.

Pages 5 – 10 (green pages) will all be completed and the course and signed off by a trainer.
Pages 11 - 20 (black pages) are to be completed by the candidate as Workplace Training.

Workplace Training Logbook allows the candidate to observe and/or teach a lesson under the supervision of an accredited Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety (Someone who has held their TSW for at least two years with any provider). The supervising Accredited Teacher must be in the water as they maintain responsibility for the class. The Accredited TSW Teacher to complete all lines on pages 12 and 13.

Teaching under Supervision allows the candidate to teach five lessons under supervision, with the accredited teacher in the water. The Supervision Record is to be completed by the candidate after the lessons have been taught.

The candidate is required to complete the record. 
Examples have been provided for each section. 
The supervising teacher signs the lesson details.

This document records the minimum requirement to meet the RTO Skill Set competencies. Additional training is at the discretion and advise of the Workplace Training organisation.

watching the skill or helping teach small parts of lessons, both can be signed off.

This document records the minimum requirement to meet the RTO Skill Set competencies. Additional training is at the discretion and advise of the Workplace Training organisation. The supervising teacher must meet the criteria as per Candidate Handbook Version 3 Page 11 Section 2 A guide for Swim Schools can be found on page 17 of the Candidate handbook.

In summary, to be deemed competent, a candidate will need to:

Deliver 5 lessons

To a minimum of 4 participants

For 30 minutes in duration.

2 modifications must be completed for each.

The supervising teacher in the water is required to sign each line of the Workplace Training Logbook. (Pages 12 and 13).
On page 13 the Swim School Manager, Deck Supervisor, Swim School Coordinator / Swim School Owner must sign off the Recommendation for teaching under supervision.
The 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)
Final sign-off (page 17) must be by the Swim School Manager, Deck Supervisor, Swim School Coordinator / Swim School Owner

Any accredited Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety teacher with a minimum of 2 years' experience. (does not have to be an AUSTSWIM accredited teacher/assessor).

Final sign-off (page 17) must be by the Swim School Manager, Deck Supervisor, Swim School Coordinator / Swim School Owner
When uploading their handbook through the AUSTSWIM Axcelerate system Candidates who attended a course after April 2nd will need to write the name of the AUSTSWIM TSW Course Trainer, not the in-house Assessor.

A: Yes

Yes
For anyone who completed the TSW prior to the 2nd of April 2024 will require an assessor to sign them off. They need to complete their handbook as per the instructions; this includes the 9 observations and lesson plans for anyone who did their course after 1 October 2023.

Anyone completing the course after 2nd April has the TSW Handbook V3 and can be signed off by the Swim School Manager, Deck Supervisor, Swim School Coordinator / Swim School Owner

In RTO language an “Assessor” is required to hold a TAE and provide formal assessment. AUSTSWIM have introduced two stages for TAE assessment. The first will be done by the AUSTSWIM Trainer during the course. The final, formal assessment of handbook submissions will be done by our in-house team of Assessors.
The new skills package specifies workplace training supervised and observed by the facility representatives. The name for the former AUSTSWIM Assessors will be reviewed. They remain highly valued and important to ensuring high standards of candidate outcomes. The AUSTSWIM Assessor remains the first option for workplace sign-offs. To make this process easier for facilities who may not have an AUSTSWIM “Assessor”, we have provided alternative authorised positions.

They will need to complete the requirements as laid out in the candidate handbook they received at their course. A copy of this can be found on their aXcelerate Account.

They will need to attend both days again due to the change in assessments having to be signed off by the AUSTSWIM Trainer.

Once completed the handbook must be uploaded through the AUSTSWIM Teacher Hub. Candidates must have set up their Streamline account. Instructions can be found at Welcome to Streamline | AUSTSWIM

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Supporting our Workforce

Workplace training and welcoming AUSTSWIM Candidates into your Swim School

Become an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence

Information For Parents and Caregivers

Why choose an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence?

What expectations should I have from a swim school?

I am an AUSTSWIM School of Excellence

Resources and Policies