Learn to swim
This program teaches swimming and water safety to people of all ages and abilities.
Our learn to swim program teaches swimming and water safety to people of all ages and abilities.
We offer small class sizes, so swimmers get the attention they need.
Lessons run at Collingwood Leisure Centre and Richmond Recreation Centre all year. Lessons run at Fitzroy Swimming Pool during Term 1 and Term 4.
Fees
- Full fee: $46.90 a fortnight ($23.45 per lesson)
- Concession fee: $28.20 a fortnight ($14.10 per lesson)
*Fees effective to July 2026.
For concession pricing you will need to sign up in centre so we can confirm eligibility. Please bring a current and valid concession card or documentation with you. The concession card must have the name of the individual that is enrolling in lessons.
Swim School re-enrolment
- Swim School students will be automatically re-enrolled each term, unless You advise in writing prior to the commencement of the term.
How to pay
You can pay via fortnightly direct debit. Direct debit payments will incur a transaction fee based on the payment method used.
Lesson types
We offer lessons across 7 stages:
| Program | Stage | Age and experience |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | Babies | 6 months to 1.5 years |
| Infant | Toddler | 1.5 to 2.5 years |
| Infant | Pre-schooler | 2.5 to 3.5 years |
| Children | Level 1A | 3.5 years to 5 years (no swimming experience) |
| Children | Level 1B | 5 years and older (some experience) |
| Children | Level 2 to 9 | Assessment required |
Infant program
This program is for ages 6 months to 3.5 years. We introduce babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to the water, with the goal to become familiar with the water. You also join your infant in the water to build confidence through games and songs.
Children program
This program is for ages 3.5 to 12 years. Each level progresses swimming and safety skills. We cover everything from blowing bubbles and floating to gaining confidence underwater, and refining stroke technique.
Feedback for you
We will assess your child during the term. They will receive a level-up certificate when they've mastered the skills. They may also receive achievement certificates.
To find out how your child is going, speak to an aquatic services officer or view their progress reports.
Access All Abilities is a swimming program for people with disability aged 5 and over.
Students can stay in the program for the whole time they need swimming lessons, or can work towards joining children's, youth or adult learn to swim programs.
Class design
These classes focus on getting students familiar with water and improving their strokes and water safety.
We tailor each lesson to individual needs, with our high instructor-to-student ratio ensuring students get the support they need.
Price
Classes are $14.10 per student per lesson.
How to enrol
To enrol, email your contact details to [email protected]. A member of our Aquatic Programs team will contact you to discuss your enquiry and the class timetable.
Enrolments are ongoing on a swim school membership.
It's never too late to learn to swim. We offer swimming lessons for all ages and levels of experience. Our lessons are grouped by skill level.
Beginner
If you have little or no experience in the water and want to gain confidence, learn basic swimming and survival skills, and build up to 10 metres in distance.
Intermediate
If you have a basic knowledge of swimming strokes but want to further develop your skills and build up to 50 metres in distance.
Stroke improvement
If you're a confident swimmer and want to improve your technique, we offer regular stroke improvement short courses.
Frequently asked questions
You enrol into an ongoing lesson on a regular day and time. Swimmers will attend this class every week except public holidays and school holiday periods.
When you enrol you will pay by fortnightly direct debit on a membership enrolment.
Swim School membership enrolment
- Pay by fortnightly direct debit.
- Enrolment is ongoing and automatically continues into the next term. Please contact us if you would like to cancel.
- There will be no direct debit charges during the school holiday period.
- Free practice swims available all year round.
- Includes a locker.
Throughout the term, our instructors assess skills and advise if it's time to progress to the next level.
Lessons are available every day during school terms. We have lots of lesson times every day so you can find a lesson time that suits you.
Outside of school terms, we run a holiday program.
- Students are continually assessed during the term by a member of the Aquatic Programs team.
- A Level Up certificate will be awarded once a student has mastered all the skills within a level.
- Level progressions are processed on the day the student has mastered all skills within a level.
- All Yarra Leisure swimming instructors are industry qualified with a Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety qualification.
- Every effort is made to ensure consistency; however, swimming instructors are subject to change throughout the term and from term to term.
- We reserve the right to cancel or change classes and instructors. Refunds will not be issued for instructor changes.
- We will endeavour to give as much notice as possible for any significant program changes that will affect Your enrolment.
Swimmers are expected to wear attire appropriate to the activity taking place. Fitted swimwear and goggles are encouraged to enhance the learning process. Infants who are not toilet trained are required to wear a waterproof nappy. Items such as underwear, jeans and shoes are not permitted.
- If the temperature reaches 40 °C or above at the relevant Facility
- If there is an electrical storm or any other extreme weather event at Fitzroy Swimming Pool
- If the water temperature falls below an acceptable level for the activity taking place
- If the water quality is impacted
- Due to an emergency situation, such as where an evacuation is required
Where a lesson is missed, You are encouraged to use Your membership to practise aquatic skills in Your own time at the Facility. If a student has been ill during the term a credit can be applied to Your swim school account upon presentation of a medical certificate covering the period of illness. Medical certificates must be received during the relevant term to be eligible for credit. Medical conditions preventing attendances for more than two weeks will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. Please inform our Swim School staff.
More information
For more information, please call 9205 5522 or email [email protected].