2 November 2026

Curtin international students take the plunge into Australian life

A weekend by the river, an afternoon at the local pool or a swim with friends. For many Western Australians, these experiences are second nature. But for international students arriving from countries where swimming isn’t as common, they can be entirely new.

For those who haven't had the opportunity to learn to swim, joining in isn't always straightforward. A group of Curtin University students have been taking steps to change that with support from Royal Life Saving WA.

Through Royal Life Saving WA's multicultural programs, students participated in six weeks of swimming lessons at Aqualife Centre in Victoria Park from 6 September to 18 October, developing practical skills and building confidence in the water.

Their learning began before they entered the pool, with water safety talks held in August to help students understand Australian aquatic environments and recognise potential risks.

Students were also provided with Swim and Survive packs containing towels, goggles and water bottles, along with swimming caps to help them get started.

National drowning statistics highlight why initiatives like this matter, with people born overseas accounting for 34% of drowning deaths in Australia and 42% of victims in multiple-fatality drowning incidents.

For Royal Life Saving WA Metro Inclusion Coordinator Divya Prabha, who organised the lessons, the opportunity to support students from her former university was particularly meaningful.

“Many of these students are experiencing the Australian lifestyle and aquatic environments here for the first time. It's a privilege to help them develop the confidence and skills to stay safe while feeling more connected and at home in Western Australia,” Divya said.

The lessons may have wrapped up, but the swimming and water safety skills students have gained will stay with them well beyond their time at Curtin, giving them something valuable to carry into the future.