Discover Categories
SWIM has a wide range of award categories to choose from
Download the SWIM Awards booklet
All nominees should download and familiarise themselves with the judging rubric before commencing nomination
Attend the SWIM Australia Awards launch webinar
On how to complete your application and tips to win.
Wednesday 9 July
Submit your Entry
Complete the nomination form and upload all required attachments
Judging Process
SWIM has developed a robust judging process and procedures
INDIVIDUAL AQUATIC AWARDS
SWIM Australia™ Teacher of the Year
This award is not nominated. Judging and the ultimate awarding is supported by the individual awards, recognising outstanding teaching across all age groups and abilities selected from the following awards below:
SWIM Australia™ Teacher of Excellence
For teachers delivering exceptional programs to learners
SWIM Australia™ Teacher of Excellence in Inclusive Teaching Learners with Disability
For teachers delivering exceptional programs to learners with disabilities, neurodiverse students, or from marginalised communities
SWIM Australia™ Teacher of Excellence in Baby & Toddlers
For teachers delivering exceptional programs to learners focused on teaching babies and toddlers, highlighting early engagement and foundational learning
SWIM Australia™ Teacher of Excellence in Swim Squad Fundamentals For teachers delivering exceptional programs to learners who develop swimmers up to a competitive level and are continuously working on improving their skills and knowledge in beginner squads or upper learn to swim
SWIM Australia™ Emerging Swim Teacher Award
For teachers delivering exceptional programs to learners or educators with under 18 months’ experience who show great promise across any teaching area
SWIM Australia™ Teacher of Cultural Diversity Award
For teachers delivering exceptional programs to learners recognising efforts to support CALD, Indigenous or migrant communities through tailored aquatic education
SWIM Australia™ Leadership in Aquatics Award
For Managers, Supervisors, Team Leaders honouring those who mentor others, lead in-service, actively lead teams, create a positive culture, safe and nurturing work environment for their teams and or contribute to innovations in Aquatics
SWIM Australia™ Youth Leadership Award
For a teacher under 25 showing exceptional promise, leading and excelling
SWIM SCHOOL AWARDS
SWIM Australia™ Swim School of the Year (Metro and Regional) are awards for each area, regardless of size. This award recognises excellence in program delivery, community engagement, and teaching outcomes.
This award not nominated. Judging and the ultimate awarding is supported by the specialist awards which recognises the swim schools particular strengths.
SWIM Australia™ Swim School of the Year – Metro
Metro area is defined by capital cities and other metropolitan centres as defined below.
The RRMA classification divides Australia into three zones: metropolitan, rural, and remote. The metropolitan zone, specifically, includes RRMA 1 and 2:
- RRMA 1: typically refers to the capital cities
- RRMA 2: includes other metropolitan centers, which are defined as areas with a population of 100,000 or more
SWIM Australia™ Swim School of the Year – Regional
All other areas outside of Metro:
- RRMA 3 to 7: includes populations under 100,000 in rural, regional and remote areas
SPECIALIST AWARDS
The following Awards are awarded by size. The three levels of Recognition/Nomination are:
Small Swim Schools 500 and under swim lessons per week
Medium Swim Schools 501 to 1500 swim lessons per week
Large Swim Schools over 1500 swim lessons per week
SWIM Australia™ Innovation Award
Highlighting schools using digital tools, creative pedagogy, or new delivery methods
SWIM Australia™ Outstanding Community Partnership Award
For swim schools making a difference through local collaborations, outreach or school-based initiatives
SWIM Australia™ SWIMSAFER Commitment Award
Recognising dedication to safety messaging and practices during SWIMSAFER Week and beyond
SWIM Australia™ Customer Service & Brand Impact Award
Celebrating marketing excellence, customer service and brand storytelling
Past Winner Testimonials
“Winning the 2024 SWIM Australia Teacher of the Year – Learners with Disability award has been life-changing. It has opened doors to new opportunities and sparked meaningful conversations around inclusion. This has allowed me to advocate more strongly for neurodiversity in the aquatics industry, both for staff members and our learners. Most importantly, it has given me the platform to continue shaping a more inclusive and supportive environment for all learners and staff in the industry.”
“We were incredibly honored to be recongnised and to receive the Swim Australia Community Service Award for 2024 in our very first year of operating the Charters Towers Swim School.
This Award is not only a milestone for our dynamic team but also a powerful validation of the work we are doing to bring water safety, skills development, and aquatic confidence to Charters Towers Region and Rural Queensland.
As I was NEW to the Aquatics Industry and Learn to Swim, I really leant on our Team Leader Tess Pemble (with over 20 years’ experience) and our educators to guide and create our unique programs.
Being in a rural and regional area comes with its own unique set of challenges, including staff and training – BUT our mission was clear from the start: to improve water safety outcomes and access to quality aquatic education for all children, no matter their postcode.
Receiving this award has really impacted our business, it has strengthened our reputation in the community, with our current families and has also opened new doors for collaboration and future initiatives across North and Western Queensland.
Thank you, Swim Australia, for recognising our community engagement and our efforts with rural programs. We are proud and excited to stand alongside the incredible network of SWIM professionals dedicated to teaching and saving lives through education and ongoing opportunities for equal access.”
