Australia is a swimming nation with one of the most extensive networks of aquatic facilities anywhere in the world.
Swimming Australia is committed to helping more Australians experience the benefits of swimming as a life skill, a sport and a recreation activity. This includes promoting access to aquatic facilities for clubs, competition programs and community participation.
Why Aquatic Facilities Matter
Aquatic facilities are fundamentally important for swimming but also provide more than a place to swim. They are essential and valuable community assets that support water safety, health and wellbeing, social connection, learn to swim programs, club participation, competition pathways and lifelong connection to swimming as a sport and like skill.
Royal Life Saving Australia research identifies that Australia’s 2,103 public aquatic facilities receive more than 421 million visits each year and generate approximately $12.84 billion in annual social, health and economic value, equating to $30.50 in benefits for each visit.
However, these facilities operate in an increasingly complex environment, with changing ownership models, commercial management arrangements, financial pressures, compliance requirements, ageing infrastructure, sustainability challenges and growing demand for water space from a range of users.
It is important that we promote outcomes and investment in swimming pool infrastructure to ensure that pools remain accessible and fit-for-purpose for all Australians, while supporting the growth and success of swimming and the many benefits that pools deliver for communities.
Swimming clubs, coaches and programs play a particularly important role in activating these facilities. Clubs support volunteer-led grassroots community participation, learn to swim progression, squad development, competition opportunities, individual health and wellbeing and community connection. Sustainable access to appropriate water space is therefore essential to the long-term health of Australia as a swimming nation.
Swimming Australia’s Role
Swimming Australia is committed to helping more Australians experience the benefits of swimming as a life skill, a sport and a recreation activity. This includes supporting access to aquatic facilities for clubs, associations, competition programs and community participation.
Swimming Australia works with its member organisations, clubs, coaches, officials, industry and facility partners and governments to promote strong relationships, informed planning and practical facility outcomes, including to strengthen the case for sustainable aquatic infrastructure investment that meets community and swimming needs.
Swimming Australia is committed to promoting strong and collaborative relationships between swimming clubs and associations and the facility owners and operators who provide the environments that swimming requires.
We are also committed to supporting aquatic facility owners, operators, designers, builders as well as clubs and associations to plan and develop facilities that meet community needs, encourage lifelong participation and support swimming pathways.
Swimming Australia has developed the following practical resources to support these ambitions.
Resources – Aquatic Facility Guides
The Aquatic Facility Engagement Guide is a practical guide for swimming clubs, associations and program leaders seeking to engage effectively with aquatic facility owners and operators.
The guide helps clubs understand the modern facility environment, prepare for constructive discussions, identify decision makers, formalise access arrangements and align club objectives with facility and community outcomes.
This resource is designed to help clubs take a proactive, collaborative and evidence-based approach to securing sustainable access and building long-term facility partnerships.
The Aquatic Facility Development Guide supports facility owners, operators, designers, builders, clubs and associations to plan and develop aquatic facilities that meet community needs, encourage participation and support swimming clubs and pathways. It is intended to support early planning and better decisions so new or renewed facilities are functional, inclusive and fit for purpose.
This resource can assist clubs and facility partners to understand the design elements that support community swimming and competition programs, including reliable lane access, suitable water temperatures, safe dive entry, flexible pool configuration, timing, lighting, spectator seating, storage and club spaces.
International Standards
World Aquatics sets the standards and expectations for competition swimming facilities internationally through its Competition Regulations. The rules define expectations and requirements for general competition swimming pools to an internationally consistent standard, which in turn informs Swimming Australia’s national standards. They also set expectations and requirements for competition pools hosting major international competitions, such as the Olympic Games and World Championships.
The World Aquatics Competition Regulations, including standards regarding facilities and equipment, are available here.
The World Para Swimming Rules and Regulations also establish facility standards for para swimming and are available here.
Government Grants and Funding Opportunities
Government grant programs are an important source of support for aquatic facility renewal, redevelopment and new facility planning.
The Australian Sports Commission publishes a summary of grant programs available to support sport and recreation programs and projects, available here.
Clubs and associations are encouraged to monitor relevant grant opportunities and engage early with facility owners, councils, schools, universities and other project partners. Early engagement can help ensure swimming participation, club access, competition needs and community outcomes are considered before funding applications, feasibility studies or design briefs are finalised.
Where appropriate, Swimming Australia and State or Territory member organisations may be able to support clubs, associations or facility partners considering grant applications. This support may include advice on swimming participation outcomes, facility design considerations or letters of support. More information is available in the Aquatic Facility Engagement and Development Guides.
