Learn to swim

Babies have a fascination with the water which starts early. After all, it's an amazing sensory experience for them full of sights, sounds and the feel of water. Little Ripplers is the perfect way to explore your baby's curiosity in a safe and welcoming environment.

Located in our heated indoor learn to swim pool, this FREE program is filled with games, colour and songs, covering fundamental skills to build your child's confidence and awareness in the water. It's also a great bonding time for mums and dads in a fun and friendly social setting.

Children that start swimming early become more comfortable in the water, giving them the ability to learn quickly. By the end of the program, you'll be amazed by the skills and confidence your little one has developed, giving them a head start for the next stage of the learn to swim program.

This four-stage infant program is a fun and friendly introduction to the aquatic environment for children aged 6 months to 3 years. We focus on conditioning infants to accept and feel comfortable in the water, introducing breath control, buoyancy skills and mobility as they grow.

By the end of the program, students will be able to comfortably submerge with propulsion, move with confidence, and will have gained essential water safety skills.

Squirts, 6–12 months

Water introduction

During the Squirts program your little one will start their water journey with engaging songs, activities and colourful toys. We introduce breath control through enjoyable activities, progressing to submersions as they are ready, incorporating gripping skills. Floating skills are developed to ensure comfort and safety.

Paddlers, 12 – 36 months

Water confidence

Designed for toddlers with limited to no breath control or swimming experience, Paddlers focuses on building water confidence and skills through fun songs and activities. Students will work towards confident underwater submersions while holding their breath.

Rockers, 12–24 months

Water familiarisation Advanced 1

For toddlers who are confident and have strong submersion skills, Rockers aims to enhance these abilities. Students will work on increasing their breath control, mobility and independence, preparing to swim longer distances and perform safety activities with confidence.

Wrigglers, 24–36 months

Water confidence Advanced 2

Advanced toddlers will further improve their breath control and propulsion skills independently during Wrigglers. They will learn to kick with a board, introduce the foundation of streamlines and engage in safety activities. This class prepares them for the transition to a teacher-child class, focusing on extending their swimming distances through propulsion and breath control skills.

Catering for ages from 3 years, our 8-level learn to swim program covers a diverse range of skills, focusing on water safety, independence, technique and further development.

Throughout these levels, our instructors provide encouragement to ensure all participants are feeling safe and confident in order to progress their skills.

Breath control is a big focus on beginner levels, with buoyancy and mobility becoming the main focus as we concentrate on forming the correct technique in all four strokes.

• Heated indoor and outdoor pools
• Year-round program
• Structured progression pathways
• Small classes
• Qualified instructors that care about your little one's success

Beginner

Our beginner level focuses on building comfort in and under the water, developing independent floating, breath control and propulsion. It is ideal for adults with limited water experience who are unable to swim, float independently or tread water.

Intermediate

Our intermediate level focuses on freestyle technique and bilateral breathing, whilst working with your instructor to accomplish your own personal swimming goals. This level is ideal for swimmers who can swim independently but want to develop stroke technique and enhance their swimming skills.

The SafeSwim program helps people from migrant and refugee backgrounds build swimming and water safety skills in a friendly and supportive environment. It is funded by the Queensland Government.

This free 8-week program is designed for people who have little or no swimming experience. Participants will learn how to stay safe at the pool and beach, build confidence in the water, and connect with others in their community.

What's included?

• Weekly swimming lessons for 8 weeks
• Water safety education
• A beach safety session with lifeguards
• A celebration at the end of the program

Swimwear may be provided to successful participants. Participants should bring a towel and any personal items they need.

Interpreter and language support may also be available. Limited transport assistance may be offered depending on individual circumstances and program capacity.

Who can join?

• Gold Coast residents from migrant and refugee backgrounds
• Adults aged 18 years and over
• Young people aged 12–17 years (parent or guardian consent is required)
• People with little or no swimming experience

Program dates 

• October to November 2026
• March to April 2027
• October to November 2027
• March to April 2028

How to apply

To be considered for the program, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Please note

• Each participant must submit their own application.
• You can apply for multiple program rounds. Submit a new EOI for each round.
• Submitting an EOI does not guarantee a place. Places are limited.
• Applications are assessed against the program eligibility criteria.
• We assess all applications against the program eligibility criteria.
• If your application is successful, the program team will contact you.

The EOI for the October to November 2026 program closes on 30 August 2026.

Apply for SafeSwim

Contact us

For more information about this program, contact the Community Programs team:

Email: communities@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Students enrolled in recurring learn to swim lessons at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Palm Beach Aquatic Centre or Pimpama Sports Hub can swim for free anytime they visit.

Learn to swim benefits include:

• First lesson free
• Stay and play – students can swim before or after their lesson, with attending parents or guardians entering the centre for free
• Free pool entry – to any pool including our kid-friendly splash zones. The accompanying parent or guardian is still required to pay adult entry fees outside of lesson times
• Priority access to our school holiday intensive programs
• Unlimited make-up classes at Pimpama Sports Hub and Palm Beach Aquatic Centre
• 20 make-up classes per calendar year at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre (to be updated 1 July 2026)
• Enjoy free access to our Little Ripplers program for infants 3–6 months

The more you swim, the more you save.

Our learn to swim program offers discounts for multiple siblings and multiple lessons per week, meaning the more you swim, the more you save. See below for the lesson fees and charges for our infant aquatic and learn to swim program.

Payments are made in advance by fortnightly direct debit from a nominated bank account, credit or debit card.

Pro-rata lesson fees plus an administration fee of $27 per student are payable before the first direct debit takes place.

Private lessons are also available for $80 for 30 minutes.

A discount of 20% is applicable to the second and subsequent siblings that are booked into a lesson each week, with the discount being applied to the sibling with the least amount of lessons booked in a week.

A comprehensive junior, senior through to adult squad program is available at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Palm Beach Aquatic Centre and Pimpama Sports Hub. Programs are suitable for all abilities and cater for general fitness right through to competitive pool, surf and triathlon swimming. The squad program is delivered by BE Swim Coaching.

For information about swim squads, including squad timetables, contact:

Website: BE Swim Coaching

Phone: 0438 366 090 or 0403 757 821

Booking enquiries

Enquire now