Living in Queensland means water safety is a non-negotiable part of childhood. Between weekends at the beach, backyard pool play, and creek adventures, building strong swimming foundations early is vital. Yet with rising household expenses, regular swimming fees can quickly strain family budgets. In welcome news for local parents, applications are officially open for the state government’s Play On! Learn to Swim vouchers.
Eligible Queensland parents, carers, and guardians can apply for a voucher worth up to $150 per child aged 0 to 4 each financial year. The initiative is designed to offset the cost of lessons with registered Play On! Learn to Swim providers, making structured aquatic education far more accessible for growing families.
Helping little ones build water confidence early
The program aims to eliminate financial barriers so toddlers and babies can learn essential survival skills and feel at home in the water from a young age. Backed by the Crisafulli Government, the vouchers form part of broader cost-of-living relief and feed into Queensland Spirit: The Road to 2032, a statewide initiative aimed at inspiring grassroots sporting participation.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander highlighted the importance of early aquatic education for Queensland kids.
“We know cost of living is a real concern for Queensland families, and we don’t want cost to be a barrier to children learning these important skills,” Minister Mander said. “Swimming is an important part of Queensland’s lifestyle, and this is about giving more young Queenslanders an early start in the pool so they can build confidence and develop important water safety skills. From the city to the country, we want more Queensland families to have the opportunity to get their little ones into swimming lessons.”
Proven support for Queensland families
The vouchers have already made a measurable difference across the state. Last financial year, more than 7,500 vouchers were redeemed by Queensland families, with 40 per cent of those utilized across regional areas.
Whether you have a newborn ready for their first splash and play water classes or an active toddler preparing for independent strokes, enrolling in regular lessons builds lifelong habits around pool safety, coordination, and physical health.
How to check your eligibility and apply
Vouchers are available on a per-child basis for eligible families each financial year, provided the child is between 0 and 4 years old at the time of application. Vouchers must be redeemed with an approved activity provider.
To view full eligibility criteria, search for approved local swim schools, or lodge an application, visit the official Queensland Government Play On! Learn to Swim page.
