What does the course involve and how is it assessed?

The course is delivered in a blended format:

• A two-day face-to-face workshop with theory, practical instruction and practical assessment tasks.
• Self-paced online learning of about 8 to 10 hours, including online theory assessments.
• Supervised workplace training after the workshop, including teaching under supervision.
• Submission of a Candidate Handbook.

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).