Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Nearly Half of Australian Year 6 Students Fail to Meet Basic Swimming Standards

The decline in swimming skills, linked to socioeconomic factors and pandemic disruptions, raises drowning risks and prompts calls for targeted interventions.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • Research shows 48% of Australian year 6 students cannot swim 50 meters or tread water for two minutes, with minimal improvement by year 10.
  • Participation in school swimming carnivals has plummeted, with one in four schools abandoning the event and only half of eligible students participating where held.
  • Socioeconomic disparities play a significant role, as children from lower-income and regional areas are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to swimming lessons.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted swimming education, contributing to a decline in skills, with many children missing lessons or stopping before acquiring critical water safety abilities.
  • The NSW government has launched a new program offering free swimming lessons to at-risk groups, while Royal Life Saving Australia calls for increased funding and infrastructure improvements to address the crisis.