Water safety
Australia has amazing beaches, lakes and rivers. On a hot summer’s day there’s nothing better than a refreshing swim.
But how much do you know about staying safe in water? Before you dive in, get to know the risks and how to make the most of your time in the water.
But how much do you know about staying safe in water? Before you dive in, get to know the risks and how to make the most of your time in the water.
Staying safe around water
Before you head out for a swim, remember:
- check the weather
- never swim alone
- don’t swim if you’ve had alcohol
- read and obey safety signs
- don’t put yourself in danger to get a great photo
- learn first aid.
Not sure how to spot a rip, when to wear a life jacket or what a flood warning means? Find answers to these and more on the Victorian Government’s water safety website.
Learn what to do in an emergency
Play the Everyday Lifesaver game to learn more about water safety and how to give first aid to someone in an emergency. It’s free to download and easy to use.
Free swimming lessons
Want to feel more confident in the water? We’ve partnered with Bupa to offer free lessons for international students near our Mt Helen, Berwick, Melbourne City and Gippsland campuses.
The next swimming program is planned for Semester 1 2026, so keep an eye out.
Federation Health, Sports and Aquatic Centre
Whether you're doing laps or just starting out, the Mt Helen Campus has a heated eight-lane pool and classes for all skill levels.
Give us a call, send an email, or best of all, drop by the centre for a chat with our friendly staff.
Other swim classes close to campus
Teach swim skills and water safety
Enrol in our Swimming and Water Safety Education short course to learn how to teach swimming techniques, aquatic games, water safety and survival skills.
Life Saving Victoria runs programs for diverse communities. Take part in lessons, training and beach activities to become a swim teacher, lifeguard or lifesaver.
If you're 16 to 25, live in Victoria and work (or want to work) in the aquatic sector, you might be eligible for Government funding.