Course Content and Structure

Enrolment Information

Teachers’ Code of Behaviour

Registration Requirements

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Learning to swim by Geoff Huegill: Movie file 304k

AUSTSWIM was formed in 1979 and is Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of swimming and water safety. AUSTSWIM has developed a quality program for those wishing to enter the aquatic industry as a teacher of swimming and water safety.

The AUSTSWIM Certificate is the industry standard for swimming and water safety teachers. The AUSTSWIM Certificate is delivered and recognised in each state and territory of Australia and many countries overseas.

AUSTSWIM teachers are eligible to instruct a variety of age and ability groups including infants, children, adults and people with a disability.

“Learning to swim is fun, it is also a vital part of Australian life. Look for the platypus logo.This is your guarantee of qualified swimming and water safety teachers”
Geoff Huegill, 2002

 

Course Content and Structure

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant & PreschoolAquatics

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Aquatics for People with a Disability

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Towards Competitive Strokes

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults

 

Step 1 - Enrol in the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course (see the 'Find A Course' page for information).   Step 2 - Attend the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course.   Step 3 - Enrol into one or more of the AUSTSWIM electives to further your skills, knowledge and employment opportunities.   Note: Candidates cannot be issued an AUSTSWIM elective certificate until after they have been issued the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Certificate.

Enrolment Information

Please click here to view further enrolment information.

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety

The AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course provides candidates with essential competencies to teach swimming and water safety to persons from four years of age in swimming pools and confined natural shallow water venues. The certificate is valid for three years.

• Pre requisite
• Recognition of Prior Learning
• Delivery Strategy
• Content
• Assessment

1. Candidates may enrol in an AUSTSWIM course at 16 years of age but are not eligible to receive the award until they are 17 years of age.
2. Candidates are required to have a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability.

AUSTSWIM teachers who have successfully completed the AUSTSWIM Course Essential Unit will gain recognition of prior learning for some components of the course. Please contact AUSTSWIM for further information.

The course consists of theory and practical components.

1. Theory component - topics may be offered through classroom attendance or selected topics via CD ROM home study.
2. Practical component - involves swimming activities that may be carried out in shallow or deep water.

The course is approximately 25 contact hours, plus a nominal 20 hours practical teaching. Topics include:

• The role and structure of AUSTSWIM
• Being an effective teacher
• How people learn
• Principle of movement in water
• Planning the program
• Aquatic safety
• The swimming teacher and the law
• Becoming familiar with the water
• Floating and movement skills
• Introducing diving to beginners
• Towards efficient stroke development

To gain the award, the following assessment components must be satisfactorily completed within 12 months of the course commencement date.

1. Theory assessment.
2. 150 metres of continuous swimming.
3. Demonstration of skills for teaching purposes.
4. Demonstrate competence in water safety techniques. Candidates holding a current Bronze Medallion, Pool Lifeguard or equivalent award, may gain an exemption by providing a copy of the award.
5. Lesson plans.
6. Practical teaching hours including observation, supervised teaching and teaching assessment. It is recommended candidates undertake 20 hours of supervised teaching experience prior to assessment.
7. Show evidence of holding a current cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) award.
8. Sign and return Teacher Declaration.

On successful completion of all course requirements candidates will receive the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Certificate. Candidates will also be issued a Statement of Attainment for the following Units of Competency from the National Community Recreation Industry Training Package:

• SRC AQU 008B Apply the principles of movement in water to aquatic activities
• SRC AQU 009B Instruct water familiarisation, bouyancy and mobility skills
• SRC AQU 0010B Instruct water safety & survival skills
• SRC AQU 0011B Instruct the strokes of swimming
• SRC AQU 013B Collect and analyse information on the philosophy & structure of the Australian aquatic industry
• SRC CRO 007B Operate in accordance with accepted instructional practises, styles and legal & ethical responsibilities

AUSTSWIM Electives

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant & Preschool Aquatics
AUSTSWIM Teacher of Aquatics for People with a Disability
AUSTSWIM Teacher of Competitive Strokes
AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults

• Pre requisite
• Certification
• Delivery Strategy
• Assessment

1. AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety.
2. Candidates are required to have a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability.

On successful completion of an elective candidates will receive an AUSTSWIM Certificate that is valid for three years.

The course consists of theory and practical components

To gain the certificate, the following assessment components must be satisfactorily completed within 12 months of the course commencement date.

1. Theory assessment.
2. Demonstration of skills for teaching purposes.
3. Lesson plans.
4. Practical teaching hours including observation, supervised teaching and teaching assessment. It is recommended candidates undertake 20 hours of supervised teaching experience prior to assessment.
5. Show evidence of holding a current cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) award.
6. Sign and return Teacher Declaration

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant & Preschool Aquatics

The course provides the candidate with the competence required to deliver safe and enjoyable aquatic activity programs for children between the age of six months to four years of age.

The course consists of approximately 15 contact hours (theory and practical), plus practical observation, supervised teaching hours and assessment. Topics include:

1. Philosophy of infant and preschool aquatics
2. Health and safety considerations
3. Child development
4. Principles of teacher, parent and child relationships
5. Methods of water familiarisation
6. Infant aquatics programming

On successful completion of all course requirements candidates will receive the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant Aquatics Certificate. Candidates will also be issued a Statement of Attainment for the following Unit of Competency from the National Community Recreation Industry Training Package:

• SRC AQU 0012B Foster the motor, cognitive and personal development of infants and toddlers in an aquatic environment.

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Aquatics for People with a Disability

The course provides candidates with the competencies to deliver safe and enjoyable aquatic programs to people with a disability.

The course consists of approximately 15 contact hours (theory and practical), plus practical observation, supervised teaching hours and assessment. Topics include:

Topics include:

1. Awareness and philosophy
2. Groupings
3. Principles of movement in water
4. Entries, supports and exits

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Towards Competitive Strokes Certificate

The course aims to provide candidates with the competencies to bridge the gap between the teaching and instructing of swimming.

The course consists of approximately 9 contact hours (theory and practical), plus 10 hours of practical observation hours. Topics include:

1. Towards competitive swimming
2. External influences and conditions
3. Instructional styles
4. Learning - making it work
5. Development of competitive stroke technique

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults

The course provides candidates with the essential competencies to teach the adult swimmer.

Content

The course consists of approximately 14 contact hours (theory and practical), plus practical observation, supervised teaching hours and assessment. Topics include:

Topics include:

1. Why teach adults to swim

2. Understanding the nature of the adult swimmer

3. Health, medical and safety issues

4. Warm up, flexibility and stretching for the adult swimmer

5. The different types of adult swimmer