VACSWIM is South Australia's most renowned summer holiday program giving our kids (aged 3-12) confidence in and around the water! With offerings for participants aged 13 to 15 to continue their learnings through the Basic Water Rescue and Community Pool/Surf Rescue courses.

Programs are offered as 5-day blocks across over 120 locations, there's bound to be one near you.

The VACSWIM program is a SA Government subsidised and endorsed summer holiday water safety program.

Enrolling your child in VACSWIM provides a range of benefits, including the chance to learn essential water safety skills and build confidence in the water.

Through fun activities, children will gain experience engaging in aquatic environments, as well as become comfortable with different swimming strokes and techniques to keep themselves and others safe.

Other benefits include developing physical fitness and coordination, and helps children to develop social skills through working as a team or playing with others during lessons.

Enrolments open September 1, 2026!

As we do not know your child and their abilities, we cannot offer direct advice as to which level would benefit them best.

In saying that, we have developed details resources to help you make that decision ahead of enrolling!

To access these resources, simply visit our “Level Guides” page: www.vacswimsa.com.au/level-guides

VACSWIM is running at over 100 locations this summer – visit vacswimsa.com.au/locations for more information.

VACSWIM is offered across four 5-day blocks throughout the summer school holidays at a selection of locations throughout regional and metro sites. Keeping in mind that no location will run in every block.

Program times vary from location to location, the specific program times can be chosen at the time of enrolment.

Block 1: 14/12/2026 to 18/12/2026 (Monday to Friday)

Block 2: 04/01/2027 to 08/01/2027 (Monday to Friday)

Block 3: 11/01/2027 to 15/01/2027 (Monday to Friday)

Block 4: 18/01/2027 to 22/01/2027 (Monday to Friday)

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn life-saving water skills – which is why VACSWIM Large Family program fees are capped at $115 (additional location fees may apply) for families of 4 or more children, making it affordable for all to be involved!

Visit this page to fill in the form: www.vacswimsa.com.au/terms-and-conditions

Note:

- All children MUST pay the location fee as listed online.

- The cap is only available for the participant's first block of the VACSWIM program this season.

- To be eligible for this offer, 4 or more children MUST be registered in VACSWIM Pre School or Level 1 to 7.

- This offer is not available for the higher awards (Water Rescue, Community Surf or Pool Rescue)

Enrolments open early September 2026. All enrolments must be made via our online booking platform, as we do not offer onsite enrolments.

Make sure you have joined our mailing list to to be kept up to date and receive special offers.

Depending on which program your child or children are enrolled into depends how long their sessions run for each day —

Pre-school to Level 2: 45 minutes

Level 3 to Water Rescues: 1 hour

Community Surf or Pool Rescue: 1.5 hours

No, as we are already kindly supported and subsidised by the SA Government we do not accept Sports Vouchers.

NO.

All parents and guardians must stay at the premises and should not leave at any time during the program delivery. This is a safety precaution. Watch Around Water protocols should always be adhered to.

When preparing for the VACSWIM program, it is important to consider bringing the following items: SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat, a rash top, a towel, your VACSWIM logbook, a bottle of water, shoes (thongs), change of clothes, goggles, and any necessary medications.

Always remember to practice sun safety by “slipping on clothing that covers exposed skin, slopping on SPF 50+ sunscreen, slapping on a hat that shades your face neck and ears; seeking shade and sliding on sunglasses” when outside.

During the VACSWIM program, parents should speak with their instructor regarding any particular questions or concerns. If your child has a logbook, this should be provided to the instructor at the start of the program, and it will be completed accordingly as the program progresses.

If a child was unable to meet the requirements of the program during the 5-day duration, they may still be able to progress to the next level upon sign up for the following season if they have developed sufficient skills between VACSWIM program sessions.

Head to the employment page on our website for more information

YES! We have plenty of opportunities for participants of this age group to join the fun of the VACSWIM program.

Higher Awards:
Community Surf or Pool Rescue is available at select locations — these courses are designed to build on skills already learned throughout levels 1 to Water Rescues (formally ‘Basic Water Rescue’).

More information about these programs can be found HERE.

Volunteers:
We take on volunteers from the age of 13 years and over depending on available positions at the desired location/s.

From the age of 14 years old volunteers will need to acquire a Working With Children Check — this can be sourced HERE.

NOTE: All volunteers, assistant instructors, instructors and instructors in charge are required to complete the Play by the Rules - Child Protection and Safeguarding Course (FREE online course) prior to applying for a role within the VACSWIM program.

The Water Rescues program is a non-accredited program part of our Higher Awards for participants aged 12 to 13. In this program participants will be introduced to performing rescues, identifying dangers, resuscitation, basic first aid, and water supervision skills relevant to the environment they are participating in.

This is the perfect introduction for those aged 12-13 years on how to keep themselves and their mates safe in aquatic environments. The program will take place over five days, with each day focusing on a different skill.

To further skills learnt in the Water Rescues program, Surf Life Saving SA is offering the non-accredited Community Surf Rescue and Community Pool Rescue program.

The program provides participants with the learnings needed as they work towards gaining their relevant Certificate (Community Surf Rescue Certificate or Community Pool Rescue Certificate).

There will be an opportunity for participants to attend a training hub to assess skills learnt and to be issued the relevant certificate for an additional $75.00.

The training hub will issue two Units of Competency: SISCAQU002 Basic Water Rescues and HLTAID009 Provide CPR. The training hub is only available to those aged 13 to 15 years, who have completed the Community Surf Rescue & Community Pool Rescue courses as an extension to the VACSWIM program during the relevant season.

View the Community Surf Rescue lesson outcomes HERE

View the Community Pool Rescue lesson outcomes HERE

Community Pool Rescue Certificate
The Community Pool Rescue Certificate is equivalent to the Royal Life Saving Bronze Medallion. All participants will have the opportunity to be assessed for the Community Pool Rescue Certificate at the training hub.

If you have further inquiries, please visit the Contact Us page to get in touch with the VACSWIM Team.