Swim school

Join our Learn to Swim program at the Footscray Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre.

Our experienced, qualified teachers lead classes for infants, children and adults.

We keep our classes small to provide the best opportunity for learning.

What we offer

We offer classes and programs for a variety of ages and skill levels:

Infants

Children swim classes

We hold classes seven days a week and support a variety of skill levels through the Life Saving Victoria Swim and Survive Program.

Swim and Survive is a fun and dynamic swimming and water safety program that focuses on the development of swimming, personal survival, basic rescue and lifesaving skills. The program aims to provide individuals with the required skills to lead safe and active lives in, on and around water.

: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria within this level:

Identify where water can be found around the home

Identify safe areas for entering and exiting the water

Enter and exit the water

Float on front and back using buoyant aid

Orientate the body using rotation with buoyant aid

Kick on front and back using a buoyant aid

Glide on front and back

Move 3 metres continuously using arms and legs

Submerge the body and exhale in the water

Identify people who can help in an emergency
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria within this level:

Identify dangers in aquatic environments around the home

Slide in entry and exit

Float on front and back and recover

Tread water using a buoyant aid

Fit a life jacket and float

Glide on front and back, kick and recover

Swim 5 metres basic freestyle

Submerge to recover an object from chest deep water

Identify different ways to get help

Be pulled to safety with an aid

Float with a buoyant aid for 30 seconds and kick to safety
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria within this level:

Identify rules for safe behaviour in and around home aquatic environments

Fall in entry and recover

Float on back for 30 seconds

Tread water for 30 seconds

Swim 10 metres freestyle with breathing

Swim 5 metres backstroke

Swim 5 metres survival backstroke kick

Swim through a submerged obstacle

Identify people and actions to help in an aquatic emergency

Be rescued with buoyant aid

Perform a survival sequence to simulate an accidental entry
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:

Identify aquatic environments

Step in entry

Float on front and back in deep water and recover

Orientate the body using rotation skills

Swim 15 metres freestyle

Swim 15 metres backstroke

Swim 10 metres survival backstroke

Swim 10 metres breaststroke kick

Surface dive and recover an object from shoulder deep water

Recognise an emergency and call for help

Perform a talk rescue
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:

Compact jump

Head first and feet first sculling

Float, scull or tread water wearing a life jacket

Swim 25 metres freestyle

Swim 25 metres backstroke

Swim 15 metres survival backstroke

Swim 15 metres basic breaststroke

Reach rescue using a rigid and non-rigid aid

Perform a survival sequence with buoyant aid
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:

Identify and describe hazards in aquatic environments

Stride in entry

Float, scull or tread water for 1 minute

Swim 50 metres freestyle

Swim 50 metres backstroke

Swim 25 metres survival backstroke

Swim 25 metres breaststroke

Swim 10 metres dolphin kick

Complete a survival sequence

Throw a rescue aid
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:

Understand and follow safety rules for aquatic environments

Dive in entry

Enter and exit the water in a range of environments wearing light clothing

Float, scull or tread water for 2 minutes and signal for help

Swim 75 metres freestyle

Swim 75 metres backstroke

Swim 50 metres survival backstroke

Swim 50 metres breaststroke

Complete a survival sequence

Throw a rescue aid 10 metres
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in this level:

Explain water safety signage

Fit a life jacket whilst in the water

Swim 100 metres freestyle

Swim 100 metres backstroke

Swim 75 metres survival backstroke

Swim 75 metres breaststroke

Swim 15 metres sidestroke

Tumble turn

Rescue initiative scenario
: Students will work towards achieving the following criteria in level 9:
Explore how to participate and understand personal abilities and limitations that affect water safety safely in a range of aquatic activities
Float, scull or tread water for 5 minutes and signal for help.
Swim 25m butterfly
Swim 100 metres breaststroke
Swim 100m backstroke
Swim 200 metres freestyle
Swim 100 metres survival backstroke
Be introduced to timed swims
Search deep water and recover object from bottom of the pool
Swim 250m continuously using 2 swim strokes and 2 survival strokes
Perform a rescue of a person no more than 15m from safety
Perform a survival sequence wearing heavy clothing
Understand and assess a range of aquatic risk
: Pre-Squad is the next step for our level 9, 10 and 11 students who will train under the guidance of our experienced instructor team. The program is designed to assist swimmers in further developing their technique, endurance, and speed.
This program offers a more competitive and challenging environment for swimmers who are looking to build upon their skills and advance their swimming abilities.
Whether your child is looking to pursue competitive swimming or simply take their technique to the next level, the Swim Squad will offer them the support and training to reach their full potential.

Adults

We offer water familiarisation, beginner and intermediate swimming lessons for adults.

We are proud to provide Learn to Swim programs for Victoria University students, staff and to the public.

You can choose one lesson time for the term and gain access to the pool outside of lesson times with the Swim School membership.

: Feeling tentative about starting beginner swim lessons? Try our water familiarisation class for adults. The class is suited for adults who have no experience with swimming or even being in a pool.
Our specially designed lessons will also suit adults that experience anxiety or feel uncomfortable in and around the water. It’s a slower paced lesson, teaching safe entry and exits to and from the water, getting familiar with walking around in the water and building to basic swim and water safety skills like floating, submerging, blowing bubbles and a little bit of swimming short distances. Students will then progress to our Adult Beginners class.
Victoria University students are eligible for a discounted rate. This initiative is funded from the Student Services & Amenities Fees (SSAF).
Lessons offered: Mondays, 7—7.45pm.
: You will receive 45-minute swim classes at the Footscray Park Aquatic Centre to learn how to be confident in water. You'll learn the basics, including water safety, stroke techniques, and survival skills. Classes are designed for beginners with little or no water experience.
Victoria University students are eligible for a discounted rate. This initiative is funded from the Student Services & Amenities Fees (SSAF).
Lessons offered:
Monday: 6.30–7.15pm and 7.15–8pm
Tuesday: 6.30–7.15pm and 7–7.45pm
Wednesday: 7–7.45pm
Thursday: 7–7.45am, 7.45–8.30am and 6.30–7.15pm
Friday: 7–7.45pm
Sunday: 12.15–1pm
: The intermediate class is designed for adults with some swimming experience who want to focus on stroke technique and stamina.
Lessons offered:
Thursday: 7.15–8pm

School holiday programs

Swim school membership

Your membership includes:

access to a wide range of class times taught by experienced instructors
2 x make-up classes per term
free access to the pool during opening hours.

Costs

All costs listed are in Australian dollars and are per class.

Class	Full fee	Concession/VU student or staff discount
Infant and children	$23.20	$21.40
Senior swim and survive	$27	$24.85
Adult beginner and intermediate	$32.75	$32.75

Monthly direct debit

Payments will be deducted on the first business day of each month from your chosen bank account. The amount debited will be the sum of the total number of lessons in the month.

You will not be charged for:

lessons that fall on a public holiday (excluding Labour Day)
the school holiday period, but you are welcome to attend the pool during this time.

Once you have enrolled your booking will be ongoing until you cancel your membership.

Please note, we take a break from lessons during school holidays.

Cancellations

To cancel your membership please complete a cancellation form or email [email protected] 5 working days prior to the end of the month to stop the next month’s direct debit.

Please speak to our friendly reception staff to request a cancellation form.

Child Supervision Policy

All children under the age of 12 years must be actively supervised by a parent/guardian 16 years and over at all times, including before, during & after their swimming lesson.

As such, the use of phones, laptops, reading materials and other items that detract from supervision are not permitted.

Any child under the age of 5 years that is swimming before or after their lesson must have a parent or guardian in the water and within arm's reach.

Make a swim school booking

New student enrolments

You can make a booking online, or in person during the pool opening hours at the VU Aquatic and Fitness Centre Reception, Building L, level 0 of the Footscray Park Campus.

You can book online for weekly classes and our adult program.

Book online

Pool opening hours

Monday—Thursday: 6am–8.45pm
Friday: 6am–7.45pm
Saturday: 8am–3pm
Sunday: 9am–3pm

Swim school term dates

2026 term dates

Term 1
Wednesday 28 January–Thursday 2 April

Term 2
Monday 20 April–Sunday 28 June

Swim school members have access to the pool during school holidays.

Please note the pool is closed for refurbishment and is due to open on Wednesday 28 January. Reception is still open to assist with enquiries during this time.

Public holidays

Lessons will not run on public holidays or University closures.

Refer to the academic calendar for a full list of when the facility may be closed.

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