In response to resident concerns about being unable to use the Queensland Government’s Play On! sports vouchers for swimming lessons, and with the SwimStart program limited to children under four years of age, Sandy submitted a Question on Notice to the Minister for Sport and Racing, asking whether the Government would consider extending the scope of either of these programs to cover swimming lessons for children over four, to help strengthen water safety for young Queenslanders.

The minister’s response, which can be found below in italics, outlined that the SwimStart Program seeks to complement compulsory water safety and learn-to-swim programs at Queensland State Schools for primary students, and that while squad swimming is included under the Play On! Sports Voucher Program, learn-to-swim programs are not an objective of this program.

The Play On! Sports Vouchers Program (Play On!) enables the parents, guardians or caregivers of eligible Queenslanders (aged five to 17 years) to apply for a voucher up to the value of $200 towards the cost of the child’s sport and active recreation membership, registration or participation fees. While squad swimming membership and participation is classified as an eligible activity for Play On!, learn-to-swim is not an objective of this program.

The SwimStart Program (SwimStart) provides vouchers, valued at up to $150, for low-income families (current holders of Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession Cards), so that swimming lessons for children aged zero to four years are more affordable.

Since 2019, all Queensland State Schools with primary students (from five years) are required to have a water safety or learn-to-swim program. The Queensland Government commits significant funding to water safety and swimming education through the state school system; administered via the Department of Education (DoE).

SwimStart seeks to complement the work of DoE by ensuring our most vulnerable and youngest Queenslanders have ample opportunities to access learn-to-swim programs, before their schooling starts.

To read the full question and the minister’s response online, please visit https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2025/1312-2025.pdf

Further information

For further information on Play On! Sports vouchers please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/playon. Please note the Government’s advice that Play On! Sports Vouchers for Round 1 are now fully exhausted but Round 2 is set to open in early 2026.

For further information on the SwimStart program including applying for a voucher and finding activity providers please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/swimstart

For further information on the Queensland Government’s water safety and swimming education programs please visit: https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/stages-of-schooling/water-safety-and-swimming

For direct advocacy regarding either PlayOn! or SwimStart Programs please contact the Minister for Sports, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games via sports@ministerial.qld.gov.au, or relating to swimming lessons at state schools, the Minister for Education via education@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

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