The program is co-ordinated by the Royal Life Saving Society, and aims to help those who may not have regular access to pool facilities learn the safety aspects of swimming.

Royal Lifesaving Society project manager Karina Siggins said teaching water safety was vital for those who perhaps hadn't been around water much before coming to Australia.

"We're hoping that by giving the opportunity to be in the water that their summer will be safer and more enjoyable," Ms Siggins said.

"Chances are they probably haven't had a lot of exposure to water and these lessons will mean they will be aware of their own limitations. They'll also learn how to rescue one another and how to be rescued putting them in a much better position to be active in the water."

About 30 students from a number of Launceston high schools will participate in the program, which will last a number of weeks.

Students in the program have come to Launceston from countries such as Nepal, Afghanistan, Sudan, Burma, Pakistan and Iran.

Many of the participants have only been in Australia for a few months.

"There is an opportunity for these people to really grab at this chance, and on a hot day be able to go to the Gorge and have a swim and know that they're going to be safe," Ms Siggins said.

Brooks High School English as an additional language teacher Elizabeth Marshall said some of the students may have had frightening experiences with water in their former homelands.

"They may have played in dams or lakes or rivers without any supervision or schooling and others may have no experience in the water and because Australia has so much water it's so important," Ms Marshall said.

"Some of them don't even have bathers so we have to purchase bathers for them.

"For one of our students today, it's her first day at Brooks High School - she only arrived [in Tasmania] last week."

Move It AUS also runs programs for Indigenous families and children from low income homes or remote areas.The program has more than 1000 participants around Australia.