Making Water Safety a Priority in 2026

As the school holidays wrap up and backpacks are packed, there’s one essential item that should be on every parent’s back-to-school checklist: swimming lessons. 

The 2025 National Drowning Report from Royal Life Saving Australia delivered a sobering message for Australians with 357 lives lost to drowning in the past year, a 27% increase on the 10-year average.  While children aged 5 - 14 had the lowest drowning rates, the risk rised sharply in adolescence and adulthood, especially for those who lacked basic swimming and water safety skills. 

According to Royal Life Saving Australia, half of all children leave primary school unable to swim 50 metres or float for 2 minutes. This benchmark is critical for survival in unexpected water emergencies. Without these skills, children face lifelong vulnerability around water, especially as they grow older and engage in more independent or risky aquatic activities. 

Why GOswim Should Be Your First Choice 

Our GOswim swimming and water safety program, is powered by Swimming Australia, the national governing body for swimming, offering a trusted, inclusive, and progressive approach to learning how to swim. Our GOswim program is designed to build confidence, competence, and water safety awareness across all age groups. 

Whether your child is just starting out or needs to refresh their skills, GOswim provides: 

• Activity-based learning that keeps kids engaged 

• Nationally endorsed curriculum powered by Swimming Australia 

• Qualified instructors trained to deliver safe and effective lessons 

• Programs for all ages from infants to adults 

As we head into the start of new school term, now is the perfect time to enrol in swimming lessons with GOswim and making water safety a regular part of your child’s development. Just like learning to read or ride a bike, swimming is a life skill, one that could save a life. 

Every swim lesson counts with GOswim.