Macniven, Rona, Mead, Edwina, Angell, Blake, and Peden, Amy E. (2025) Population reach and redemption of swimming lesson vouchers for pre-school-aged children in New South Wales, Australia. Public Health, 248. 105958.

Preview

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (676kB) | Preview

Abstract

Objectives: Swimming and water safety skills are a key drowning prevention intervention. However, there are disparities in engagement and participation across different population groups. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, the government created a universal AU$100 swimming lesson voucher program for children aged 3–6 years. This study aimed to characterise the relationship between demographic factors, previous participation in swimming lessons, and voucher reach and redemption in 2022–2023. Study design: Program impact evaluation. Methods: Proportional Reporting Ratios (PRRs) and binary logistic models were used to examine the relationships between self-reported demographic variables and voucher creation (reach) in the NSW population, and redemption. Results: In total, 136,299 vouchers were created, and 104,913 (77.7 %) were redeemed. This represented 47.2 % and 36.3 %, respectively, of the 288,860 eligible children in NSW. PRRs for creation and redemption were lower for children living with disability and speaking non-English languages at home and living in low-socioeconomic and remote areas than for other children. Modelling revealed a strong positive relationship between previous swimming lesson participation and redemption (adjusted odds ratio; aOR 10.82, 95 % confidence interval; CI 9.21–12.71), increasing area-level socioeconomic status (most advantaged compared to least advantaged quintile: aOR 7.19, 95 % CI 5.73–9.01), and in regional/remote areas (aOR 3.10, 95 % CI 2.43–3.96). Conclusions: First Lap vouchers were created and redeemed by a large proportion of children in NSW, however uptake was lower amongst some priority groups. Program targeting is required to reach these groups, particularly those speaking non-English languages at home, living with a disability, and in the lowest socioeconomic areas.

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page