Why become a Swimming Teacher?

We’ve asked a lot of Swimming Teachers what the best aspect of their job is and the answer is always the same.

“Teaching people to swim is extremely fulfilling and rewarding. You are teaching people a lifesaving skill that lasts a lifetime!”

Personal satisfaction is only the start of the list of benefits to becoming a Swim Australia™ Accredited Swimming Teacher.

  • It’s a fully flexible job. Full-time and part-time options. Swim teaching can offer you an exciting career path. Some Swim Teachers progress to becoming Deck Supervisors and Swim School Managers, even owners of their own swim school. Others work part-time and schedule their classes around family commitments or study.
  • You can complete a swim teacher course in around three months and you will then have an industry and VET recognised qualification.
  • Swim teaching can open up Australia or the world to you – some Swim Teachers use their skills to volunteer or work overseas, while others use their qualifications to travel and work across Australia.
  • You get to work in a fun and positive environment where the focus is on health and water safety.

There are three specialist qualifications for Swim Teachers/Coaches:

Swimming and Water Safety Teacher – this qualification allows you to teach children from 2.5 years of age and qualifies you to teach from non-swimmers through to stroke development swimmers.

Babies and Toddlers Teacher – this qualification allows you to teach babies from 6 months of age through to 4-year-old swimmers the skills required to enjoy and become familiar with water exploration through to water safety and swimming.

Foundation Coach (formerly known as Competitive Swimming))– this qualification allows you to deliver basic swimming squad sessions that are aimed at developing the swimmer’s technique and introducing the swimmer to the elements of competitive swimming. Please note: this is the prerequisite course to becoming a Swimming Coach.

To become a Swim AustraliaTM Swimming Teacher, you need to complete the following steps:

  • Enrol in a Swim Australia Teacher Course Workshop in your local area. These workshops are presented by accredited Approved Course Presenters throughout Australia. Once you have enrolled for a Workshop you will be sent information about the Online theory component of the course and you can begin this before going to the Workshop. Click here for the Course Workshop Calendar.
  • Complete the online theory component.
  • Complete 30 hours of on-the-job training at an aquatic centre or swim school.
  • Complete an assessment workbook comprising lesson plans, incident report, and training hours register.
  • Conduct three lessons to at least three learners in front of a suitably accredited assessor and be marked competent.
  • Provide evidence of a current CPR accreditation, find courses here.
  • Provide evidence of a current Working with Children Check.
  • Be at least 15 years of age – Please note: you will not receive your accreditation until you have turned 16 years of age.

Once you have completed your course, you will receive complimentary SCTA Graduate Membership and Teacher Insurance for the period of your accreditation (3 years). The holding of both will enable you to gain employment throughout Australia and Internationally.