SWIMMING Australia have cancelled the upcoming grand prix meet in Melbourne due to the swine flu outbreak.

The event was scheduled for June 20-21 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, but has been cancelled due to the increased risks and quarantine levels surrounding H1N1 Influenza A.

Swimming Australia chief executive Kevin Neil said cancelling the event was in the best interests of the swimmers and the sport.

"Swimming Australia has a duty of care in relation to our athletes, as well as ensuring we give them be the best chance possible to prepare for the world championships (next month) in Rome,'' Mr Neil said.

"It is a regrettable decision to have to make, yet one that we have made with all the information available.

"School-age swimmers would usually make up a large percentage of the competitors at this event and various State Government advice that students would need to be excluded from school and isolated for seven days means travelling to Melbourne would not be ideal for their education and their training going forward.''

Swimming Australia head coach Alan Thompson says that while cancelling the event was not ideal, the decision was taken in the best interests of the athletes.

"Of course we would have liked to have staged the event,'' he said.

"But I know coaches and swimmers are already planning on running time trials in their own states to simulate the racing they would have had in Melbourne.

Swimming Australia has also taken the measure of ensuring that all athletes and staff take the necessary precautions when travelling overseas in the lead-up to Rome and will be screened by team medical staff on their return from the current competitions in Europe and the US.

The Melbourne grand prix meet may be rescheduled for later in the year.