29 October 2026

VacSwim: low-cost school holiday swimming lessons for WA kids

VacSwim teaches WA children from 5 to 17 to swim at more than 175 pools and beaches in the school holidays, from $16.50 a child. Summer is full, but late places open in person a week or two before lessons start.

Plenty of WA kids learn to swim twice: once at school, and once in the holidays, standing in cool morning water with a VacSwim instructor. VacSwim is the Department of Education's school holiday swimming program, and a week of lessons starts at $16.50.

Enrolments for summer 2026-27 have closed. You can still do three useful things now.

See VacSwim programs and prices

What it is

VacSwim gives children 5 to 17 the skills to stay safe in the water and the confidence to enjoy it. Programs run for 5 to 10 days in the school holidays, at more than 175 pools, calm beaches and surf centres across the state.

Children move through stages 1 to 16, from Beginner to the Bronze Medallion. Surf centres teach their own stages, up to 15. Your child is checked on the first day to make sure they are in the right group.

Who it is for

Children who are at least 5 when the program starts and under 18 on its last day. The Bronze Medallion (stage 16) is for children who are 14, or turn 14 that year.

Children with additional needs are welcome. Say so when you enrol, then email the additional needs form. VacSwim can arrange smaller classes and help you sort out supervision.

Under five? VacSwim isn't for you yet. Start with Kids Alive Do the Five and Keep Watch.

Summer 2026-27 dates and prices

• Country early start, 19 to 23 December 2026: 5 days of 50-minute lessons, weekend included. $16.50 a child or $43.50 a family; concession $11.50 or $29.
• January program 1, 5 to 15 January 2027: 9 days of 40-minute lessons. $32 a child or $85.50 a family; concession $20.50 or $57.
• January short program, 11 to 15 January 2027: 5 days of 35-minute lessons. $16.50 a child or $43.50 a family; concession $11.50 or $29.
• January program 2, 18 to 28 January 2027, no lesson on Australia Day: 8 days of 45-minute lessons. $32 a child or $85.50 a family; concession $20.50 or $57.

Two things the price doesn't cover. Most pools charge entry for children and for you. And at most pools you need to stay poolside: the instructor teaches, but you look after your child and are there in an emergency. Pack a hat and sunscreen; many venues are outdoors.

Royal Life Saving WA waives its award fees for children who pass stages 13 to 16 through VacSwim.

Summer is full. Here's what you can still do

1. Watch for late enrolments. About one to two weeks before each program starts, VacSwim publishes the venues taking late enrolments. You enrol in person, on the day and time it lists, first come first served. Places, stages and times aren't guaranteed, so get there early.
2. Register for WAIVS now. WAIVS is the online system VacSwim uses. You register once, ever, at any time of year, and then you're ready the moment enrolments open next time.
3. Ask about in-term swimming. Your child's school runs its own lessons in term time. For primary students at public schools, from Pre-primary to Year 7, the Department pays for the lessons; you usually pay only transport and pool entry. Ask the school office when your child's series is on.

How to enrol next time, step by step

1. Register for a WAIVS account. You get an email with a username and password.
2. Sign in and add your details and your children's.
3. Use the venue map on Programs and locations to choose a program near you.
4. Pick your child's stage from their last certificate. If they will finish in-term swimming after enrolments close, choose the next stage up.
5. Pay and wait for your lesson time. VacSwim emails it about two weeks before the program starts. Refunds aren't given if the time doesn't suit, so pick a program you can make.

Questions? Call VacSwim on 9402 6412 or email vacswim@education.wa.edu.au.

Register for WAIVS

Sources

• WA Department of Education: VacSwim (ages 5 to 17, 5 to 10 day programs, more than 175 locations, stages 1 to 16, summer enrolments closed, late enrolments published 1 to 2 weeks ahead)
• WA Department of Education: Programs and locations (summer 2026-27 dates, lesson lengths, standard and concession prices, venue map, pool entry fees, poolside supervision, lesson time emails, no refunds for unsuitable times, 9402 6412)
• WA Department of Education: Enrol in VacSwim (WAIVS registration once, additional needs form, medical certificates, late enrolments in person, first come first served)
• WA Department of Education: Stages and awards (age rules, pool and surf stages, Bronze Medallion at 14, first-day stage check, Royal Life Saving WA waives award fees for stages 13 to 16)
• WA Department of Education: Interm swimming (Pre-primary to Year 7, paid for at public schools, parents usually pay transport and entry)