Work

Evaluating the Economic Impact of Learn‐to‐Swim Programmes: A Cost–Benefit Analysis of the First Lap Voucher Programme in Australia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ISSUE ADDRESSED: Swimming is an essential life skill for Australian children. Access to swimming lessons helps develop competence in the water. However, participation in swimming lessons among preschool-aged children has declined in recent years, particularly following the pandemic. The New South Wales Government introduced the First Lap programme to encourage preschoolers' access to swimming lessons by providing AUS$100 vouchers during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 financial years. The programme aimed to increase participation in early swimming education and raise parental awareness of its importance for water safety. We assessed its economic impact from a policy perspective. METHODS: We surveyed registered First Lap providers and participating families to estimate programme benefits. Costs were sourced from the state government, with outcomes reported using standard cost-benefit metrics. Subgroup analyses by Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas quantiles examined variations in programme impact across community groups. RESULTS: A total of 100 providers and 14 126 parents/carers completed the surveys. Our findings suggest direct benefits of AUS$39.3 million against costs of AUS$28 million, yielding AUS$1.40 per dollar invested. Including indirect benefits increased total returns to AUS$62.3 million, or AUS$2.23 per dollar. Benefits consistently exceeded costs in both financial periods, with returns between AUS$1.38 and AUS$2.11 in 2021-2022 and AUS$1.43 to AUS$2.38 in 2022-2023. Subgroup analysis showed direct returns from AUS$1.40 to AUS$1.43 and AUS$2.22 to AUS$2.25 across socio-economic groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found strong economic support for the programme, with significant benefits across socio-economic groups. SO WHAT?: The findings suggest that the First Lap programme, providing swimming vouchers to preschoolers, is a cost-effective initiative to help families access lessons and promote children's safety and health.

Source: Health Promotion Journal of Australia

DOI: 10.1002/hpja.70162

Authors: Siyuan Wang, Rona Macniven, Amy Peden, Blake Angell

Institutions: UNSW Sydney, The George Institute for Global Health

Language: English

Topic: Injury Epidemiology and Prevention

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,150