Water safety

Water skills assessment

We care about your wellbeing. We have partnered with Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) to create a program that assesses how comfortable you are around water before you dive into a swimming pool or visit the beach in Queensland.

The water skills assessment gives you the opportunity to show us your basic water skills in a swimming pool. You will need to demonstrate how well you can float, tread water and swim safely to the edge of the pool using any swimming stroke.

As outlined in the International Student Programs standard terms and conditions, water activities are a high-risk—so you must successfully complete the water skills assessment before you can take part in any water-related activities while living in homestay here in Queensland.

This is outlined in the Non-routine travel and activities for homestay students – subclass 500 (schools) visa procedure.

Beach safe activity

We have also engaged SLSQ to deliver a practical beach safe activity that combines dry and water-based activities. This activity is fun and interactive and is a great way to learn important information about sun, surf and beach safety in Queensland whilst also increasing your skills and confidence in the water and on the beach.

Sign up

Water skills assessments and beach safe events for high school students are held throughout the academic year. If you want to participate, contact the international support staff at your school.

You must bring the following things to your event:

• water-resistant sunscreen (applied before commencement of activities)
• hat
  
• water bottle
• swimwear
• sun-safe and beach-appropriate clothing (that can get wet).
  

You will need permission from your parents to take part in the water skills assessment and beach safe activity.

Terms and conditions

• Individual signed International Student Programs travel and activities request form (PDF, 430KB) must be provided to Education Queensland International (EQInternational@qed.qld.gov.au).
• Individual student registration through the EQI Ivvy event management system.
  
• Supervision provided by proficient lifesavers including a supervisor.
• The EQI water skills assessment and beach safe training programs are free of charge.
  
• The cost is covered by our partner Allianz Care Australia.
• Only students who demonstrate their abilities in all evaluated items can participate in water activities.

For more information, please contact us at EQInternational@qed.qld.gov.au or the relevant school where you are enrolled.

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