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

TL;DR

This paper evaluates Australia's First Lap voucher program for swimming lessons, finding it economically beneficial and effective in promoting child safety.

Contribution

The study provides a novel cost-benefit analysis of a government swimming voucher program targeting preschoolers.

Findings

The program generated AUS$1.40 in direct benefits per dollar invested, rising to AUS$2.23 when including indirect benefits.

Benefits exceeded costs in both financial years, with consistent returns across socio-economic groups.

The program is shown to be a cost-effective way to improve preschooler swimming access and safety.

Abstract

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.

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.

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.

We found strong economic support for the programme, with significant benefits across socio‐economic groups.

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.