For people aged 16 and over training as AUSTSWIM swim teachers, 2026/27. Covers entry requirements, course structure, cost, CPR and WWCC, assessment, the three-year licence and renewal.
You must be 16 years or older before starting the course. AUSTSWIM candidates should be comfortable in deep and shallow water with a comfortable, relaxed breathing pattern, and should be able to swim 10 metres to a person in difficulty and tow them at least 10 metres, with the person's mouth and nose above water, to a point of safety. You need enough fitness and swimming ability to safely complete all the aquatic skills and assessments.
Sources: https://austswim.com.au/courses/course/teacher-of-swimming-and-water-safety-tsw-public and the AUSTSWIM Candidate Information Guide (Version 3.0, April 2026), https://austswim.com.au/hubfs/AUSTSWIM%20Candidate%20Information%20Guide%20(pdf).pdf
To enrol you need:
Source: https://austswim.com.au/courses/course/teacher-of-swimming-and-water-safety-tsw-public
The course is delivered in a blended format:
Topics include lesson planning and delivery, how people learn, teacher effectiveness, movement in water, aquatic safety and rescue, water familiarisation and buoyancy, safer diving, stroke development and legal responsibilities. The practical rescue tasks include a 10-metre swim followed by a non-contact tow and a contact tow, each for at least 10 metres, then removing the person from the water without assistance. You must satisfactorily complete all assessment requirements to be deemed competent. The number of workplace training hours is not specified on the course page.
Sources: https://austswim.com.au/courses/course/teacher-of-swimming-and-water-safety-tsw-public and the AUSTSWIM Candidate Information Guide (Version 3.0, April 2026).
The course fee is $449 AUD. It leads to a Statement of Attainment for Skill Set SISSS00132 Swimming and Water Safety Teacher, made up of the units SISCAQU020, SISCAQU023, SISCAQU024, SISCAQU025 and SISCAQU026. The fee includes a 3-year AUSTSWIM licence and $20 million complimentary teacher insurance (terms apply).
Funded places are available in selected states through AUSTSWIM's Funded Opportunities page. Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) starts with an initial interview with an AUSTSWIM assessor, which costs $100.
Sources: https://austswim.com.au/courses/course/teacher-of-swimming-and-water-safety-tsw-public and the AUSTSWIM Candidate Information Guide (Version 3.0, April 2026).
You need a current CPR statement of attainment for the unit HLTAID009 Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (or the most recent or superseded version, or equivalent). Holding a current CPR accreditation is essential to the AUSTSWIM licence, and you upload the statement of attainment as part of the process. AUSTSWIM states that all CPR accreditations must be updated every 12 months, as per the Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.
The course page requires CPR evidence for accreditation, while the Candidate Information Guide lists a current HLTAID009 (or equivalent) among the prerequisites. A current CPR certificate is also needed when you renew your licence.
Sources: https://austswim.com.au/courses/course/teacher-of-swimming-and-water-safety-tsw-public, the AUSTSWIM Candidate Information Guide (Version 3.0, April 2026), and https://austswim.com.au/teachers/licence-renewals
Yes. AUSTSWIM uses the WWCC as part of its screening and safeguarding process. Its course page says a current WWCC (or equivalent) is not required at enrolment but is needed before any industry placement, practical or work-based component. The Candidate Information Guide (Version 3.0, April 2026) is stricter: it lists a current WWCC (as required in each state or territory) as a prerequisite and says candidates must hold a valid WWCC to attend an AUSTSWIM course unless an exemption applies. To be safe, have it before you attend the workshop.
A current WWCC is also required to renew your licence.
Sources: https://austswim.com.au/courses/course/teacher-of-swimming-and-water-safety-tsw-public, the AUSTSWIM Candidate Information Guide, and https://austswim.com.au/teachers/licence-renewals
You have 12 months from enrolment to complete the course, and all written assessments must be submitted within 12 months of enrolment. An assessment is not accepted if your full name, your signature and date, or any part of the assessment is missing.
Each assessment task is marked Satisfactory or Not Satisfactory. You are given three attempts to resubmit each assessment per unit of competency, and re-assessment focuses on the tasks previously marked Not Satisfactory. A unit is marked Competent only when all required assessments are marked satisfactory on or before the due date.
Source: AUSTSWIM Candidate Information Guide, Version 3.0, April 2026, https://austswim.com.au/hubfs/AUSTSWIM%20Candidate%20Information%20Guide%20(pdf).pdf
On successful completion you receive a Statement of Attainment and an AUSTSWIM licence valid for 3 years, with $20 million complimentary teacher insurance (terms apply). In addition to passing all assessments, accreditation requires:
Candidates must also upload a passport-style photograph and a copy of photo ID (driver's licence, passport or school ID card with a photo) for verification.
Sources: https://austswim.com.au/courses/course/teacher-of-swimming-and-water-safety-tsw-public and the AUSTSWIM Candidate Information Guide (Version 3.0, April 2026).
The licence must be renewed every three years from the date of issue, and you are responsible for renewing before it expires. Renewal requires:
The renewal fee is $275. It covers three years of AUSTSWIM Teacher registration, three years of personal teacher insurance, administration and processing, and a new digital licence.
Source: AUSTSWIM Licence Renewals, https://austswim.com.au/teachers/licence-renewals
AUSTSWIM charges a late fee on renewals:
If the licence has been expired for more than 12 months, you must complete one of the following:
Source: AUSTSWIM Licence Renewals, https://austswim.com.au/teachers/licence-renewals