Policies & Frequently Asked Questions

At Southern Swim School, we highly recommend two lessons per week to maximise skill development, confidence, and learning outcomes.

We encourage parents to have high expectations, while understanding that consistent attendance and quality lessons are key to achieving them. Regular swimming helps children build confidence, maintain motivation, and progress more efficiently through our levels.

• 1 lesson per week: $28 per lesson, including GST
• 2 lessons per week: $47.60 per week, including GST (30% off the second lesson)
• Private lesson: $77.50 per lesson, including GST
• 15-minute private lesson: $40.50 per lesson, including GST
• Semi-private lesson (same family members): $45.50 per child, per lesson, including GST

Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for further information about our current pricing and lesson options.

Learn to Swim Program

Our Learn to Swim Program operates year-round, allowing children to build confidence, develop skills, and continually progress in the water. We close for three weeks over the Christmas/New Year period and two weeks in July for scheduled maintenance.

Consistent, year-round lessons are the best way to support ongoing learning and progression. Regular attendance helps children retain their skills, build confidence, and continue developing without unnecessary breaks.

Monthly Lesson Blocks & Fees

Learn to Swim classes operate in monthly blocks, with fees charged on a pro-rata basis. This means you will only be charged for the number of lessons scheduled for your child within that monthly block.

If you commence lessons after the first lesson of the month, your first month's fees will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. This initial payment will be taken as an upfront payment.

Enrolments & Assessments

Enrolments can be made at any time after the commencement of the month, subject to class availability.

All new students aged 3 years and over who can swim completely independently without the use of flotation aids are required to complete an assessment prior to enrolment. This ensures we place each child in the class that best matches their current ability and developmental needs.

Lesson Frequency

For the best and fastest learning outcomes, we highly recommend two lessons per week. Increased lesson frequency provides children with more opportunities to practise, consolidate their skills, and build confidence, resulting in stronger and more consistent progression.

Southern Swim Withdrawal Process

We never like losing swimmers in our program, however we do understand that things happen and circumstances change.

As per our terms and conditions, the request to drop an enrolment MUST be made on the Southern Swim app. There is a minimum 30-day notice period for any drops of enrolment.

This is a very quick process, which won't take more than a couple of minutes, but we have popped the steps below for you to assist.

- Log in to your Southern swim app

- Click on account

- Click on your child's name. All drop requests must be done as an individual request for each child

- Click on enrolment. Enter the date (minimum 30 days in advance) and the reason for your drop request

- Submit the request 

You will receive confirmation of your request once it has been approved. If you have any outstanding fees, the request wont be processed until these have been finalised. Any fees due before the drop date will be charged on the next billing cycle at a pro-rata rate.

We would also love any feedback at the time of dropping an enrolment.

Our Make-Up Policy:

We offer unlimited make-up tokens, valid for 365 days.

To qualify for a make-up token, your attendance must be cancelled at least 2hrs prior to the start time of your scheduled class through your Customer Portal or app. We do not accept notifications via phone or email.

Your make-up token will be available after your scheduled class and will expire 365 days from your scheduled class date.

Make-up tokens can be redeemed on a self-serve basis by your customer portal or app. We do not accept bookings of make-ups via phone or email.

Make-up lessons can be booked a maximum of three days in advance from the class that you would like to attend and are strictly subject to availability. We will not overbook a class to accomodate a make-up.

Make-up lessons can only be booked into the appropriate swim level, any recent level changes will be reflected in your search.

Make-up lessons are a service that we offer to our current customers. Make-up tokens are not available for use after withdrawal from Southern Swim School. Make-up lessons cannot be exchanged for cash, credit or any other benefit. Unused make-up tokens will not be refunded.

Private lessons will qualify for make-up classes in group lessons only.

Additional needs private lessons, with children who are unable to participate in a group class, will be catered for on an individual basis.

Separation anxiety most frequently develops between 8 and 12 months and peaks between 12 and 24 months. This peak in separation anxiety usually occurs when your child is nearly ready to progress from a starfish class to turtles class without a parent in the water. Some children may become clingy/upset in lessons around this age. It is important to understand that this is not related to your child becoming fearful of the water or disliking lessons, it is purely because of this peak in separation anxiety. It is important to stay consistent and remain calm to ensure we push through this little regression, so our kids come out the other side.  

Crying during swimming lessons can happen for a number of reasons. It may be due to separation, finding a new level or skill challenging, or simply having an off week. Just like adults, children can have days when they’re tired, unsettled, or simply don’t feel like doing something.

If your child is new to swimming lessons, it can take around 4–5 lessons for them to settle in and feel comfortable. At this stage, it is especially important to remain consistent and positive about swimming lessons.

We have seen even the most unsettled children come out the other side and become confident, happy swimmers because their parents stayed committed and supported them through the adjustment period. With patience, consistency, and encouragement, most children find their confidence and begin to enjoy their lessons.

Please ensure your child is dressed in appropriate swimwear for their swimming lessons. As our pool is beautifully warm, we do not encourage the use of rash vests or board shorts during classes, as these can restrict movement and make it more difficult for children to perform swimming skills correctly.

All children under 3 years of age, or any child who is not yet completely toilet trained, must wear a disposable swimming nappy with a reusable swim nappy over the top. This helps prevent accidents and ensures our pool remains clean and hygienic.

Disposable and reusable swim nappies are available to purchase at Reception.

Goggles are an important teaching aid at various stages of the learning process and can greatly assist children as they develop their swimming skills. We have a great range of goggles available to purchase at Reception.

Please note that our lessons also include frequent goggle-free activities, as developing confidence and comfort in the water without goggles is an important part of learning to swim.

Swimming caps are compulsory for all children in Turtles level and above.

Caps help keep hair out of children’s mouths and eyes, assist significantly with pool filtration and cleanliness, and make it much easier for our teachers to clearly see and instruct your children during lessons.

In our program, children who are consistent and are swimming once per week may be in the same level for approximately 12 months or at least 60 lessons. Children who are swimming twice per week consistanltey may be in the same level for approximately 8 months or at least 40 lessons. 

These timeframes are a guide only. Some children will progress faster, while others may need more time and repetition. Certain levels also require more time to master than others. There are particular levels that children progress through slower than others as well.  

Swimming without goggles is an essential part of a child’s swimming journey. Children need to feel comfortable and relaxed with their eyes getting wet, particularly as an important water safety skill.

While goggles are a great teaching aid, children need regular opportunities to swim without them in case they ever fall into a pool without goggles. Our lessons include frequent goggle-free activities to build this confidence.

We are open 7 days a week

Monday-Friday 6:30am-7pm

Saturday & Sunday 7am-12:30pm