Published: 21 April 2026
Royal Life Saving Australia highlights impacts of fuel crisis on community aquatics and water safety education across Australia
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia is warning that the current fuel crisis is placing additional strain on Australian aquatic facilities, with early signs of increased cancellations of swimming lessons and memberships, particularly in regional, remote and disadvantaged communities.
Research shows Australian aquatic facilities play a critical role in public safety and community wellbeing, employing approximately 85,000 workers, contributing $12.84 billion annually in social, health and economic benefits, and supporting access to swimming and water safety programs in more than 2,000 communities.
58 per cent of these facilities are located outside major capital cities, increasing the sector’s exposure to rising fuel costs, workforce travel constraints, and supply chain disruptions.
As fuel prices and supply pressures continue to rise, aquatic facilities are experiencing increasing operational strain, affecting workforce availability, program delivery and community participation.
RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability & Industry at Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, said the impacts are already being felt across outer metropolitan, regional and remote communities.
“Families are being exposed to both high interest rates and high fuel and energy costs, which is impacting their ability to travel to aquatic facilities and maintain their children’s ability to Swim and Survive,” Mr Houston said.
“In some regional areas where families generally travel greater distances and public transport options are limited, early data indicates both lower overall participation this year and a sharp decrease in enrolments in Learn to Swim, corresponding with increases in fuel prices.”
Table 1: Regional Learn to Swim attendance versus average petrol price comparison with last year’s attendance.
This reflects previous Royal Life Saving research showing that cost remains a key barrier to participation in swimming and water safety education, with financial pressures and cost-of-living impacts compounding existing access challenges and contributing to children and communities missing out on lessons.
Royal Life Saving warns that declining participation in swimming and water safety programs has direct implications for drowning prevention, particularly among children and populations already at higher risk. The recent Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 mid-point review identified ‘Swimming and water safety education for all’ as a national imperative.
“As families reassess household spending, participation in swimming lessons and aquatic programs is declining in some areas,” Mr Houston said.
“Being able to Swim and Survive, and maintaining swimming fitness, are essential to preventing drowning. Missed lessons and reduced activity through the winter months can increase risk during summer, when established skills and fitness levels are critical.”
Royal Life Saving is also concerned about longer-term impacts on the aquatic workforce, particularly in regional areas where staff travel longer distances for shifts and training.
“This is not simply an economic issue, it is a community safety issue,” Mr Houston said.
“Aquatic facilities are essential community infrastructure. They provide safe, supervised environments where people can learn vital swimming and water safety skills, stay active and connect with their community. Maintaining access to these facilities is critical to reducing drowning risk.”
Royal Life Saving notes that targeted support for low-income households to maintain participation in swimming and water safety programs would help mitigate impacts on community safety outcomes.
Royal Life Saving will continue to monitor the impacts of the fuel crisis and work with government and industry partners to support continued access to safe aquatic environments and water safety education.
