Learn to Swim

To fit into most children's school routines, we run our swim terms in alignment with school terms. Our term schedule offers a variety of lesson times, available on weekdays and Saturday mornings and afternoons. Lessons range from 30-45 minutes, depending on class level. 

2025 Term Schedule

Term 1 - Monday 3 February to Saturday 12 April (10 weeks)

Term 2 - Monday 28 April to Saturday 5 July (10 weeks)

Term 3 - Monday 21 July to Saturday 27 September (10 weeks)

Term 4 - Monday 13 October to Saturday 20 December (10 weeks) 

2026 Term Schedule

Term 1 - Monday 2 February to Saturday 4 April (9 weeks)

Term 2 - Monday 20 April to Saturday 4 July (11 weeks)

Term 3 - Monday 20 July to Saturday 26 September (10 weeks)

Term 4 - Monday 12 October to Saturday 19 December (10 weeks) 

Public Holidays

Please note that lessons are not held on public holidays, and your term payments are adjusted accordingly. This means you only pay for the lessons that are scheduled.

Group Lessons

Our group lessons are $16 per lesson paid in term blocks. If you book and start mid-way through the term, the cost of the term will be adjusted according to how many weeks are remaining. If you book in for two or more lessons, the cost is $14 per lesson, paid in term blocks. 

Private Lessons

We offer 15-minute private lessons for $26 and 30-minute private lessons for $43 All private lessons must be booked and paid in advance of each scheduled private lesson or paid in blocks of 5. For more information on private lessons, visit our Private Learn to Swim lessons page.

Cancellations and Absences  

There are no refunds or makeup sessions for cancellations or failures to attend. A credit will be provided for sessions cancelled by the Swim Centre due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., weather conditions) or when a medical certificate is sighted. Please do not email medical certificates to the swim centre. 

Financial Assistance 

Eligible parents, carers and guardians can use their Active and Creative Kids or First Lap vouchers to contribute to the cost of Learn to Swim. Note that we do not accept part payments, so the remaining balance must be paid to complete your enrolment. For more information or to obtain a voucher, visit service.nsw.gov.au.

If you are unable to afford the full-term payment upfront, financial assistance payment plans are available to approved applicants.

Starfish

This is an infant, parent/carer and instructor class

Age guide: 6 months to 2 years

Class objectives:

• Water awareness & familiarisation
• Education for carers
• Confidence, water enjoyment
• Survival skills (introducing breath control)     

Jellyfish

This is an infant, parent/carer and instructor class

Age guide: 2-3 years

Class objectives:

• Child is preparing to be in the pool without a carer
• Develop independent movement between carer and instructor
• Can understand instructions and wait for their turn
• Survival skills (child to pull themselves out of the pool).

Turtles

This is an infant, parent/carer and instructor class

Age guide: 3-5 years

Class objectives:

• Independently float on back
• Independently swim 5 metres with head down and eyes in
• Survival skills (survival sequence)

Penguins

Age guide: 3-5 years

Class objectives:

• Swim 7 metres freestyle with side breathing
• Swim 5 metres backstroke
• Survival skills (submersion activities)
• Introduction to diving

Crocodiles

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Independently float on back
• Swim 5 metres with head down and eyes in
• Swim 5 metres backstroke 
• Survival skills (submersion activities)
• Introduction to diving

Seals

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim 10 metres freestyle with side breathing
• Swim 10 metres backstroke 
• Swim 5 metres butterfly (extension)
• Survival skills (treading water)
• Diving confidence (extension)

Dolphins

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim 15 metres freestyle 
• Swim 15 metres backstroke
• Survival skills (introduction to rescues, treading water endurance)
• Swim 10 metres butterfly (extension)
• Do a breaststroke kick (extension)
• Diving (extension)

Marlins

Age guide: 5+ years

Class objectives:

• Swim 25 metres freestyle with correct technique
• Swim 25 metres backstroke with correct technique
• Swim 25 metres breaststroke with correct technique
• Swim 25 metres butterfly with correct technique
• Competitive skills (starts, turns, finishes)
• Survival skills (demonstrate rescues)

Certificates 

You will receive a certificate from the instructor when you have completed a class level and are ready to progress. When this happens, please see reception to change classes as you'll need to be moved into the next level of our program.

Our school holiday intensive programs are run as one-week intensive blocks during each school holiday period. Book into a five-day program for one, two, or three weeks and watch your child improve over the course of just one week. Reinforcing the skills gained in Learn-to-Swim classes each day helps your child retain information quicker.

Lessons run for 30 minutes, and bookings are made for the same time each day for one week.

The cost for our intensive program is $14 a day, paid in full for the five-day program at the time of booking.

View our upcoming school holiday programs and activities 

Adult Group Lessons 

It's never too late to start learning! Our adult swimming lessons are designed to boost confidence and familiarity with the water. The goal is to learn basic swimming techniques in a safe and controlled setting.

Age guide: 18 years or older

Class objectives:

• Develop basic swimming techniques for freestyle and backstroke
• Build comfort and confidence in aquatic environments
• Improve water safety knowledge and skills
• Encourage support among adult learners

Class details: 

• Location: Charlestown and West Wallsend Swim Centres 
• Duration: 30 minutes for classes with a maximum of 4 participants and 45 minutes for classes with a maximum of 6 participants 
• Fee: $16 per lesson, paid in term blocks
• Enrolment: In person at reception, over the phone, or online

Class levels: 

• Adults – Beginner: New to swimming or not yet confident in the water? This class is for you. Learn how to float, submerge and move through the water with support, while building water confidence in a safe and encouraging environment.

Enrol at Charlestown Enrol at West Wallsend

• Adults – Intermediate: Comfortable in the water and ready to develop your skills? This class is ideal if you have some basic swimming ability and want to improve technique, breathing and confidence in deeper water.

Enrol at Charlestown Enrol at West Wallsend

Adult Private Lessons 

Private lessons for adults are available at both our Charlestown and West Wallsend Swim Centres. The cost for a private lesson is $26 for 15 minutes or $43 for 30 minutes. These lessons must be paid in 5-week blocks. If you are interested in private lessons, please contact your preferred Swim Centre directly to arrange them.

Enquire now

Our instructors hold the Royal Life Saving Swim (RLSS) Teacher course license (or equivalent).

We have teachers with specialised qualifications in infant and pre-school aquatics, adult learning, access and inclusion and competitive strokes, to ensure your family has the best possible learning experience. In addition to professional qualifications, all Lake Mac Swim Centres program staff receive intensive in-house training to ensure that classes are delivered in accordance with our lesson plans, on-time and to the high standard expected at our centres.