Australia’s Swim Standards Are Sinking: How BlueFit Swimming Is Taking Action
You have may have seen our National Water Safety Report recently in the news, which has revealed a concerning trend with more than 56% of children below national swimming benchmarks are not in regular swimming lessons.
At BlueFit Swimming, your child’s safety and skill development are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re stepping up.
BlueFit Swimming now operates across more than 50 swim schools nationwide, offering structured programs designed to lift children to and beyond the National Swimming & Water Safety Benchmark 2025. These benchmarks set age specific milestones to help guide children through essential water safety skills:
- By Age 6 (Fundamental Stage): Children should reach Seahorse level – building early confidence in the water.
- By Age 12 (Acquisition Stage): Children should reach Angelfish level – mastering strokes and key safety behaviours.
- By Age 17 (Application Stage): Children should reach Shark level – applying real-world survival and rescue skills.
If your child is behind, don’t worry but don’t wait either. With 56% of children below the benchmark not enrolled in lessons, early intervention is essential.
“Swimming is not just a sport, it’s a survival skill,” says BlueFit Swimming General Manager, Michele Eason “We’re calling on parents, schools, and communities to prioritise swimming because every child deserves to be safe in and around water.”
Why Consistency Matters – Even in Winter
Winter is not the time to take a break. Pausing lessons during the colder months can cause children to regress in their skills, confidence, and coordination.
“Building habits through winter means your child is swim ready by summer for beach days, holidays or new water sports.”
How You Can Help Your Child Stay on Track
- Stick to weekly lessons – even in winter
- Consider multiple sessions per week to boost progress
- Swim outside of class for extra water time and confidence
- Check your child’s progress through the Parent Portal or by speaking to our team
The BlueFit Difference
With programs spanning from infant water confidence to teen squads and holiday intensives, we’re here to support your family at every stage:
- 6 months to 5 years: Bonding through play and water familiarity
- 5 to 12 years: Learn to Swim — structured, benchmark aligned progress
- Teen/adolescent programs: For those who’ve missed key levels
- Squad pathways & fast-track holiday programs
Let’s close the gap and raise the standard.
Ready to help your child progress?
Chat with our swim school team or check their level in the Parent Portal today.