25 August 2026

Helping Busselton migrants build confidence and safety in the water

Many migrants who come to Australia want to enjoy water-based recreation with their families but may lack the swimming and water safety skills to do so safely. They can also face barriers to accessing swimming and water safety education, including financial, language, cultural and gender-based barriers, among others.

Thanks to the Royal Life Saving WA Swim and Survive Fund, students from the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at South Regional TAFE in Busselton recently enjoyed a 10-week water safety program at Geographe Leisure Centre.

Nine students from the program attended swimming lessons each week and began with varying levels of swimming ability and water confidence. The students came from a range of multicultural backgrounds, some with no previous access to water safety education.

South Regional TAFE lecturer Karen Sheridan said the program was especially valuable in Busselton, where beaches and waterways are an important part of everyday community life.

“Many students are parents or carers of young children, so learning swimming and water safety skills supports not only their own safety and confidence, but also their families’ safety. They then feel more comfortable taking their children to the beach which has an ongoing health and community benefit.

“Students gained improved water safety awareness, basic swimming and survival skills and increased confidence in the water. The program also had broader wellbeing benefits, with students enjoying the exercise, feeling healthier and feeling more welcome and included in the local community.”

Delivering the program as part of the students’ existing AMEP participation helped reduce barriers as the students were already attending TAFE. The presence and support of AMEP staff greatly facilitated the program thanks to the existing trust from the students.

“Many students began the program feeling nervous or fearful,” said Karen. “But with the right support, they were able to take part, build skills and experience success. We saw clear improvements in students’ confidence, water safety awareness, wellbeing and willingness to participate in the community.

“The instructors were patient, encouraging and supportive, and they helped students feel safe and comfortable. Their approach made a significant difference, especially for students who were nervous or fearful of the water.”

Without the Swim and Survive Funding that made the program possible, many of the students would not have been able to pay for lessons themselves. The funding also allowed for a single-gender program to support participation from women who may otherwise have been unable due to cultural or family expectations.

Royal Life Saving WA is working closely with various organisations and community groups to help reduce the barriers faced by migrants and allow them to access the water safety education they need to enjoy our waterways safely.

Swim and Survive Fund grant applications are now open for programs in Term 1 and 2 of 2027. Learn more about the Fund at the link below.
WA Swim and Survive Fund