Queensland ECEC providers invited to register as SwimStart referral agents as round 3 opens

Fiona Alston

Aug 26, 2025

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Kindergarten and preschool educators, long‑day care managers, and senior professionals in early childhood services are again being urged to register as SwimStart referral agents to help connect families with up to $150 vouchers for learning‑to‑swim lessons with approved providers.

Round 3 of SwimStart is now open, commencing 28 July 2025, offering eligible families up to $150 per child towards swim lessons for children aged 0–4 years. Applications close at 5 pm (AEST) on 12 June 2026, vouchers expire for parents/guardians on 19 June 2026, and activity providers have until 26 June 2026 to redeem them.

SwimStart is a Queensland Government voucher program, delivering $150 vouchers to eligible children aged 0 to 4 years to help families access registered learn‑to‑swim programs.

Referral agents support families experiencing financial hardship who do not hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. In that case, a professional who has known the child for at least three months can register and apply for vouchers on the family’s behalf.

Registered SwimStart referral agents can assist families in genuine financial need to access SwimStart vouchers by:

Promote the SwimStart program within their networks.
Assist families in setting up an Enquire account and guide them through the application.
Provide computer access or help overcome language barriers.
Apply for the voucher using the guardian’s details.

The SwimStart program supports early swimming education, which is crucial for water safety and introducing children to physical activity key priorities under the National Quality Framework and state health and education outcomes.

For further support, visit the Queensland Government’s SwimStart website or contact via email at swimstartvouchers@sport.qld.gov.au or phone 13 74 68, Monday to Friday, 8 am–6 pm.

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