The Uniswim program began as a small project started by Jeanette and Brian Blanksby in 1981. Today the program ranges from learn-to-swim and coaching of children, adults and seniors. In recent years triathlon and water polo programs have been added to the UWA Aquatics/Uniswim program.

Sport Science Exercise and Health students are employed as teachers and coaches to gain professional development and micro-teaching experience.

For those who deliver community/school activity programs, the Federal Government requires that academic students should also learn generic competencies (such as computing, communication, human interaction) which should be work related and discipline specific. Working at Uniswim provides many of these opportunities and past students report that what they learned in the relatively protected environment of Uniswim helped them develop applicable skills for the 'real world'.

Uniswim also provides opportunities for the practicum required by external swimming bodies for accreditation (AUSTSWIM, Royal Life Saving Society).

The program has a strong professional development and research function. More than 200 research papers have been generated through the Honours, Masters, PhDs and staff swimming research carried out with Uniswim clients.