Water safety programs help ensure every child and young person is safe in, on, and around the water.
The South Australian Department for Education runs one of Australia’s most extensive water safety education programs, giving thousands of students every year the skills they need to enjoy aquatic environments safely.
Programs include surf education and aquatics taught at pools, waterways and coastal locations across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
Lessons are hands-on and curriculum-aligned, covering swimming, self-rescue, safe behaviours in and around the water, assessing risks, and responding in emergencies.
School water safety programs are continuing as normal at our beaches this summer
Water safety programs in schools are a crucial part of the curriculum that teach children and young people how to be safe around water.
Before starting any activities, qualified instructors check the condition of the water to ensure the safety of students and staff. There's more advice and considerations in our fact sheet (PDF 83 KB) .
For the latest information about the algal bloom and water safety, visit algalbloom.sa.gov.au
Programs offered
Aquatics program
The Department for Education aquatics program provides an accessible and cost effective learning program for schools in a range of different aquatic activities for year 6 to 9 students. In addition a pathway through SACE is available for years 10, 11 and 12.
Program access
Aquatics
Year 6 to 9
- 6 hours
- Years 6 and 7 in SA government schools can choose swimming or aquatics but cannot do both in one year. Non-government schools can pay for more programs.
SACE practicals
Years 10 to 13
- 12 or 18 hours
Access conditions
- SA government school students can only access 1 program a year.
- Schools that want to access the aquatics program outside these guidelines must pay a fee.
- Non-government schools can access the aquatics program for a fee.
Aquatics focus
As part of the aquatics program for years 6 to 9 the focus is on:
- water confidence
- water safety in, on and around the water
- survival in the water
- rescue of others
- developing a range of aquatic-specific skills.
Aquatics SACE practicals
The range of aquatic activities available for years 10 to 13 includes:
- canoeing/kayaking
- fishing
- sailing
- surfing
- small boat handling
- snorkelling
- waterskiing
- windsurfing.
The activities offered by each centre are determined by location and the expertise of its instructors. Day and camp style programs can be accommodated with some centres having on-site accommodation and others able to provide a range of accommodation in the immediate area.
Swimming program
The departments swimming program provides swimming and water safety lessons to school-age students, reception to year 7 and students with disabilities.
Government schools program access
Swimming
Reception to year 2
- 3.75 hours
- Not available for other years.
Year 3 to 7
- 7.5 hours
- not available for other years
- years 6 and 7 can choose swimming or aquatics but cannot do both in one year.
Non swimmers
Year 8 to 10
- application only
- not available for other years.
SACE practicals
Years 10 to 13
- 12 or 18 hours
- not available for other years.
Access conditions
- Students can only access 1 program a year.
- Schools that want to access the swimming program outside these guidelines must pay a fee.
- Non-government schools can access the swimming program for a fee.
Water safety focus
The swimming program provides an efficient and cost-effective service to schools to help students develop a range of knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes about:
- water confidence
- survival in the water
- swimming technique
- rescue of others
- water safety
- endurance and fitness.
Surf education program
The surf education program is designed to give students activities and information on beach safety and general aquatic awareness.
Program eligibility
Surf education
- Year 3 to 9, 7.5 hours
- Not available other years
SACE practicals
- Year 10, 12 hours SACE
- Not available other years
Access conditions
- Schools that want to access the aquatics program outside these guidelines must pay a fee.
- Non-government schools can access the aquatics program for a fee.
Mini beach safety day
The mini beach safety day is a fun introductory program designed to provide students with activities and information on beach safety and general aquatic awareness.
The program includes an introduction to safety services, danger at aquatics venues, signalling for help, sun safety and basic swimming, surfing, wading and running.
Beach safety day
The beach safety day expands on much of the content of the mini beach safety day and provides students with knowledge and experience relating to safety and surf awareness.
The program covers basic first aid, safety services, dangers at aquatics venues, signalling for help, sun safety, swimming, surfing, wading and running.
Surf education
Surf education is a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop student understanding, skills and values around aquatic safety and management.
Sessions are conducted in the classroom and at the beach or other aquatics venues.
Changes to bookings and rescheduling
Unforeseen situations that are beyond the school’s control may result in rescheduling.
Your school will advise you of any changes to scheduled water safety activities.
