Community water safety program hits new milestone

Sydney Airport’s community swimming partnership with Inner West Council is making a meaningful impact across the Inner West, with a big uptake from local families almost 12 months after launch.

In June 2025, Sydney Airport provided $353,142 in funding to make free swimming lessons available for local kids and run by the Inner West Council Aquatics and Recreation team.

Since launching, the program is off to a swimming start with the Community Water Safety Program delivering d 2,610 swimming lessons to 261 students with engagement from dozens of local schools.

A further 50 students took part in a 10-week Junior Lifesaving Program at Dawn Fraser Baths, and 15 students took part in 10 weeks of Lifesaving Sports Programs at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, building essential water safety skills and confidence.

Overall, more than 14,000 free swimming lessons and water skills sessions will be delivered to local children who might otherwise miss out due to financial barriers, bringing confidence and joy to thousands of families.

Giving every child the chance to learn lifesaving water skills

Early feedback highlights the program’s positive impact on both children and families, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to ongoing lessons.

Beyond the pool, it’s boosting confidence and helping kids feel safer and more capable in the water with local parents sharing their positive experiences.

"This is an activity that we wouldn’t have been able to participate in financially and is such a vital skill for children. My children are now confident in the water and learning skills they would not have learnt otherwise. Thank you for this opportunity.”

“I’m really impressed with my son's progress in his swimming lessons. He has become so confident in the water and I’m proud to see him enjoying it.”

Young people from 115 local not-for-profit community support providers were also invited to benefit from this opportunity, gaining skills for life with support workers praising the free program.

“A local mum reported that her children look forward to attending each week, and the program has been a positive and stabilising activity for them. The children have truly been enjoying the program, and it has been wonderful to see the positive impact the lessons are having on their confidence and engagement in the water,” said Juliette Herrera, Child, Youth and Family Practitioner from The Benevolent Society.

“Access to a free, community-based program of this quality has made a significant difference for the family, who may not otherwise have been able to engage in ongoing lessons.”

Kristen Sweeney, Group Executive, People & Corporate Affairs from Sydney Airport was thrilled that local families are benefitting from the program.

“At a time when cost‑of‑living pressures are placing additional strain on households, it’s encouraging to see this initiative already delivering positive outcomes for local children and families. Supporting our community in meaningful ways is a priority for the airport, and this is exactly the kind of impact we hoped to achieve in partnership with the Inner West Council Aquatics and Recreation team,” said Ms Sweeney.

“The Sydney Airport and Inner West Council Community Swim Program is making a real difference by reaching families who might otherwise miss out on swimming lessons. Having delivered more than 2,600 lessons, the program is helping participants develop vital lifelong water safety skills and the confidence to stay safe in and around the water,” said Matthew Baigent, Inner West Council Recreation Programs Coordinator.

Community swimming program to continue to support more local families

The free community swim program is being run by the Inner West Aquatics and Recreation team at the following pools:

• Ashfield Aquatic Centre
• Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre

The funding will continue beyond 2026, ensuring the program delivers lasting benefits to the community well into the future.

Following a successful initial rollout, the program will remain in place while plans are already underway to expand its impact through more targeted water safety education initiatives designed to deliver even greater outcomes.

Swimming is a vital skill for Australian children, but some kids don’t get the opportunity. Royal Life Saving Australia says nearly half of Year 6 students can’t swim 50 metres, and 1 in 10 children aged 5 to 14 have never had a lesson.

That’s why Sydney Airport is proud to partner with Inner West Council Aquatics and Recreation team to make swimming lessons accessible to all kids.

If you live in Sydney’s Inner West, don’t miss this opportunity. To participate, contact your school, pre-school or local community organisation to check your eligibility for the program.

Local schools and community organisations can sign up to be a referring partner by contacting the Inner West Aquatics and Recreation team at: communityswim@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

This is just one way Sydney Airport supports the community as part of its Community Investment Strategy, ensuring the local community has opportunities to be active and healthy.