SIA

The Swim Instructors Association (SIA) is the peak body in the swimming industry completely dedicated to representing the interests of swimming teachers.

The SIA was established by a group of senior swim teachers in conjunction with the Australian Workers’Union (AWU). Issues of illegal underpayment and allegations of unfair treatment prompted a number of swimming teachers to voice their concerns and seek the assistance of the AWU. The SIA is run by swimming teachers to ensure that instructors, both now and into the future, are treated fairly, provided with good quality training and safety standards, and given a voice.

​Today, the SIA is committed to providing a voice for all swimming instructors in the industry. Already we have seen the introduction of an EBA at Paul Sadler Swimland, providing good working conditions to over 500 swimming teachers. On top of this, the SIA secured $1.4 million of backpay in relation to illegal underpayments. We have successfully stopped attempts to muddy the waters in the Fitness Industry Award and provided absolute clarity that swim teachers cannot be classified as a Level 1 employee. Our efforts extend to supporting the volunteers in our community with already over $1200 raised for Victoria's Surf Life Savers. 

​The SIA has the backing of a large trade union, the AWU, to ensure that members are legally protected and provided the necessary support for issues at work but also for the negotiation of any Enterprise Agreement. The AWU has over 130 years experience standing up for workers from a wide range of industries and represents over 100,000 members across Australia.