18 September 2026
Vulnerable communities access vital skills thanks to Swim and Survive Fund
The people who are more likely to miss out on swimming and water safety education are often the ones who need it most. There are several community groups facing barriers to swimming lessons, placing them at a significantly higher risk of drowning. These groups include:
- Individuals experiencing social or financial disadvantage;
- those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds;
- First Nations peoples;
- people with disabilities;
- and those living in remote or regional areas.
40% of all drowning deaths in Western Australia involve people from CaLD backgrounds. Additionally, Aboriginal children aged 5 to 14 are 8.6 times more likely to fatally drown than non-Aboriginal children. Children with disabilities face similarly extreme vulnerability; autistic children are reportedly 160 times more likely to drown than their peers.
WA Swim and Survive Fund
To ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community have equitable access to swimming and water safety education, Royal Life Saving WA established the Swim and Survive Fund.
The Fund offers grants to those who would otherwise miss out due to social, financial, cultural, geographic or physical barriers. The Fund works closely with the aquatic industry, community groups and organisations working with at-risk populations, ensuring programs are tailored to the specific needs of these groups.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the Swim and Survive Fund awarded $60,000 in grants and subsidies to vulnerable community members. 104 individual applications, 9 group applications and 17 Endorsed Swim School applications were approved, helping a total of 1,032 people access vital swimming and water safety lessons.
Spotlight on SAIL
One of the programs that the Fund helps to support is the Specialised Access and Inclusion Lessons (SAIL) program, which provides tailored, one-on-one or small group swimming lessons for children living with disabilities who may not have easy access to appropriate swimming and water safety education.
In 2025/26, the Swim and Survive Fund subsidised SAIL lessons at some of our Endorsed Swim Schools including Kwinana Recquatic, Geraldton Aquarena, Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Fremantle Leisure Centre and Geographe Leisure Centre.
A SAIL Framework is being developed by Royal Life Saving WA as interest grows from swim schools keen to deliver tailored programs. The Framework seeks to remove the barriers that have traditionally prevented equitable participation.
Water is both a vital environment for learning essential life skills and a powerful therapeutic space, particularly for those with disabilities. The SAIL Framework is founded on the belief that every person deserves access to safe, meaningful and empowering aquatic experiences.
An opportunity exists for Royal Life Saving WA to guide swim schools on best practice in this space, and we hope to see more facilities come on board as delivery partners and being recognised as SAIL locations.
Show your support
If you would like to help support the WA Swim and Survive Fund, you can learn more at the link below. Every donation can help make a meaningful difference to vulnerable members of our community.
WA Swim and Survive Fund
