Water Wombats Aquatic Disability Services Limited

Empowering Every Child — In Water and in Life
Water Wombats is a Canberra-based allied health charity delivering life-changing aquatic therapy and inclusive wellness programs for neurodiverse children and families. Founded by Carol Jennings—a social worker and mother of a child with autism—our mission is deeply personal and professionally grounded. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, confident, and capable.

Children with autism are three times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers. Yet many are excluded from traditional swim programs due to sensory, behavioural, or funding barriers. Water Wombats fills this gap with tailored aquatic therapy, learn-to-swim instruction, and land-based services including exercise physiology, drama therapy, counselling, and Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT). Our impact extends far beyond the therapy space. For children who have been home-schooled due to anxiety, trauma, or unmet needs, our programs provide the confidence, regulation, and social readiness needed to successfully transition back into mainstream education. We don’t just teach swimming—we help children reclaim their place in the world.Importantly, 1 in 5 children attend on fully sponsored or free placements, ensuring access for families from refugee backgrounds, out-of-home care, low-income households, and those not eligible for NDIS funding.

Your support helps us expand access, train specialist staff, and deliver evidence-based programs that build safety, resilience, and belonging. Partner with Water Wombats—and help every child feel strong, supported, and seen.

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