Make waves with UNSW's Learn to Swim program

Build your confidence in and out of the water, and learn about Australia's swimming culture.

Published on the 03 September 2026

Students swimming on a pool as part of the Learn to Swim Program

Australia's water culture and the UNSW Learn to Swim program

Australia's beaches, pools and waterways are woven into the country's cultural fabric. You've probably seen it in movies, TV shows and the many social media posts about this wonderful country.

For someone who has never learnt to swim, stepping into a pool can be quite intimidating. Learning how to swim can be about far more than just learning a new skill. It's the first step towards building confidence and feeling more connected to a country where water is such a big part of everyday life.

Since 2018, the UNSW Learn to Swim program has helped more than 2000 students from over 50 countries develop foundational swimming and water-safety skills. What began as an eight-week learn-to-swim program has grown into a supportive community where students can learn, challenge themselves and build a community with their peers.

Build your swimming skills and confidence

The eight-week program is designed for students with little or no swimming experience. Each week, students develop practical skills in a supportive environment, from becoming comfortable to put their face in the water, to learning swimming techniques and developing essential water-safety awareness.

Students leave the program with greater confidence in and around water, new practical skills and a stronger sense of what they can achieve. The impact of the Learn to Swim program, however, extends far beyond the pool as participants will gain a sense of community with their peers.

“As someone who did not know how to swim before joining the Learn to Swim Program, I initially found the experience new and a little overwhelming.

"However, the welcoming and encouraging nature of my mentor helped me feel comfortable and understand things quickly. Being able to communicate, learn and interact with both mentors and other participants made the program a very positive experience for me.”

Divyanshu Mishra
Bachelor of Engineering student and 2026 Learn to Swim Participant

Finding community and your people

Learning to swim in a new country can feel daunting, but doing it alongside people who are sharing a similar experience can make all the difference. Week by week, the pool becomes more than a place to learn.

By having group sessions, students will empower each other through the difficult moments, celebrate small victories and gradually become more comfortable not only in the water, but with one another.

For some, it might be the first time they have met someone who understands what it feels like to be new to Australia. For others, it is simply a chance to make friends, laugh together and feel part of a community.

That sense of belonging is an important part of what makes the program special. Water safety may be the reason students enter the pool, but the people they meet can be part of the reason they come back for other programs.

“Learn to Swim has honestly been an important part of my time at UNSW. Being involved, meeting people and helping new participants made me feel much more connected to UNSW and more like I was part of the community.

"Seeing people who were nervous about floating in the first lesson later swimming freestyle and even jumping into the pool during the final water safety session made me genuinely so happy and proud of them.”

Vera (Chia Chen) Luan
MSc Health Data Science student and 2026 Learn to Swim Participant and Mentor

When the eight weeks come to an end, the celebration doesn't stop at the pool.

At the Learn to Swim Graduation Dinner, students come together one more time to celebrate how far they have come, not just as swimmers but as a community. What starts with learning how to move through the water can become something much bigger: new friendships, shared memories and a feeling of belonging in a place that once felt unfamiliar.

““I met many friends during the program. We went practice swimming every week, and often had dinner together after practice and lessons. From the program, I feel more comfortable to swim and have a better campus life with friends.”

Gina (Tzu-Ching) Liao
MSc Health Data Science student and 2026 Learn to Swim Participant and Mentor

Take the first step

Whether you have never been in a pool before or simply want to become more confident in the water, the UNSW Learn to Swim program is a supportive place to start.

Join the program, build your confidence in the water and become part of the Learn to Swim community.

Join the Learn to Swim program