Sydney Airport's 2026 Lost Property Auction funding swimming lessons and water safety programs in Bayside

More local children, families and community members will have the opportunity to learn essential swimming and water safety skills thanks to Sydney Airport's 2026 Lost Property Auction.

Every year, thousands of items are left behind in the terminals, from headphones and laptops to jewellery, toys and sports gear. While many are reunited with their owners, some remain unclaimed.

Thanks to the generosity of people across Australia who bid, those forgotten items have now helped create something positive for the local community.

Sydney Airport's 2026 Lost Property Auction has raised $221,789, with all proceeds supporting swimming lessons and water safety programs through Bayside Council's Community Learn to Swim and Water Safety Program.

Bayside Mayor, Cr Edward McDougall said:

"Water safety is an essential life skill, and this partnership helps ensure more people in our community can access programs that improve safety, confidence and participation."

"We're grateful to everyone who supported the auction and helped make this year's result possible,” he said.

The funding will support community members who may otherwise miss out on swimming lessons and water safety education due to cost or other barriers to participation.

Giving unclaimed items a second chance

This year's online auction, hosted by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, featured more than 2,300 unclaimed items, attracting thousands of bids from across the country.

Sydney Airport Group Executive - Government Relations, Sustainability and Legal, Karen Tompkins said:

“Thank you to everyone across Australia who took part in our Lost Property Auction. It was fantastic to see so many people bid generously, helping raise funds for swimming lessons and water safety programs.”

"What's special about the auction is that it gives unclaimed items a second chance. From jewellery and tech to toys and travel gear, items that still have plenty of life left in them find new homes, while also helping raise funds that make a difference in our local community,” she said.

As well as supporting a local cause, the auction gives thousands of forgotten items a new life, helping reduce waste and ensuring useful belongings can continue to be enjoyed by others.

More than a decade of community impact

Since 2013, Sydney Airport's Lost Property Auctions have raised $2.4 million for charities and community initiatives, turning unclaimed items into meaningful community outcomes.

Last year's Lost Property Auction raised $253,142 for Sydney Airport's Community Water Safety Program in partnership with Inner West Council.

The program has already delivered more than 2,600 swimming lessons to local children, with thousands more to come.