August 26, 2025
Australia has recorded the highest number of drowning deaths since records began, prompting urgent warnings from Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia.
The National Drowning Report 2025, published by Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia, identified 357 drowning deaths in the past year, which was 27% higher than the 10-year average.
Children under five: 15 fatalities, 21% below the 10-year average, half in home swimming pools. Pool owners are urged to check that their pool fence and gate are in good working order.
Children aged 5–14 years: lowest drowning rates.
Ages 15–24 years: 44 deaths, 38% above the 10-year average. Poor swimming skills are a major factor.
Adults aged 65 and older: 118 deaths (one third of all drowning deaths). Attributed to effects of health conditions, medications, and declining swimming skills.
Coastal locations (beaches, ocean, rocks): 154 deaths (43%), with beaches alone claiming 82 lives. Swimming, fishing, and visiting unpatrolled locations remain high-risk activities.
Inland waterways (rivers, lakes, dams): 122 deaths (34%), including 99 in rivers, where hidden currents, steep drop-offs, and flooding are common hazards.
Drowning rates doubled for those living in the most disadvantaged areas and nearly tripled in regional and remote areas compared to major cities.
More than a third of drowning deaths were people born overseas.
South Australia: 24 deaths (+71%)
Queensland: 90 deaths (+36%)
Western Australia: 49 deaths (+36%)
New South Wales: 129 deaths (+30%)
Victoria: 52 deaths (+8%)
Northern Territory & Tasmania: decreases
The Report, released today at Parliament House, Canberra, provides sobering analysis that underscores the impact of drowning and prompts an urgent call for action ahead of the forecast warmer and wetter summer.
Royal Life Saving Australia CEO, Dr Justin Scarr said:
“This is a wake-up call. Drowning deaths have surged to unprecedented levels. The decline in swimming skills, an ageing population, and more people heading to remote and unfamiliar locations away from lifesaving services are causing concern.”
“Half of all children leave primary school unable to swim 50 metres and float for 2 minutes, causing lifelong risk. To reverse this tragic drowning trend, every Australian, regardless of postcode or background, must have access to swimming lessons, a great local swimming pool or a safe place to swim.”
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO, Adam Weir said:
“Coastal drowning remains a major concern, with beaches, ocean and rocks accounting for 43% of the national drowning burden. Rip currents are Australia’s number one coastal hazard, responsible for more than 1 in 3 beach drowning deaths — claiming more lives than sharks, floods, or cyclones combined.”
“Never have our surf lifesavers and lifeguards worked harder to keep people safe at beaches, with almost 2.2 million preventative actions and over 8,000 rescues. More is being asked of surf lifesavers and lifeguards, as beach usage continues to grow and people explore a wider range of coastal locations.”
Federal Minister for Communications, Minister for Sport, Hon Anika Wells MP said:
“The Albanese Government has provided more than $34 million over two years as part of a suite of sport safety measures to raise awareness for water safety and drowning prevention.”
“In partnership with organisations like Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia, we are committed to addressing water safety by encouraging all Australians to take simple precautions around pools and waterways.
“The messages are simple; supervise children, learn to swim, prioritise water safety and lifesaving skills, wear a lifejacket when boating, and always swim between the red and yellow flags.”
More people going further into national parks and regional areas. Climate and lifestyle shifts are increasing time around water, especially in autumn and spring, as well as early and late in the day.
Swimming skills at crisis levels, with many children failing to meet national benchmarks. Gaps are widening for regional, remote, and migrant communities, creating lifelong vulnerabilities.
Ageing population impacting drowning rates. Lifelong water activity, combined with other health conditions, medications, and reduced mobility, is increasing unexpected falls into water.
Disadvantaged, multicultural, regional and remote populations are more likely to miss out on learning to swim, have poorer access to safe swimming areas, and remain overrepresented in drowning.
In July, Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia convened a National Water Safety Summit to address the surge in drowning.
The Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 is being adjusted to strengthen swimming and water safety skills for all, emphasise local water safety efforts, and encourage alignment of water safety policy across all levels of government.
To keep your family safe this summer, both organisations advise:
Always supervise children around water
Learn swimming, water safety, and lifesaving skills
Wear a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing, or paddling
Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
Check conditions, including weather forecasts
357 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, a 27% increase on the 10-year average
Lowest rates in children 5–14 years, rises sharply by ages 15–24 years
Drowning rates above the 10-year average for every age group over 45 years
One third (33%) of all drowning deaths were adults aged 65 and older (118)
Highest drowning rates were in people aged 75 years and older
43% occurred in coastal locations (154), including 82 deaths at beaches
34% at inland waterways (122), including 99 deaths at rivers
10% occurred in swimming pools (35 deaths), 68% of those in backyard pools
33% were born overseas
Inequities persist — drowning rates double for disadvantaged areas and nearly triple for regional/remote residents
Australian Capital Territory
1 drowning death
New South Wales
129 deaths, 29% increase
Drowning rate: 1.52 per 100,000
Highest deaths: 75+ years (16%)
Leading locations: rivers/creeks 35%, beaches 19%
Far West & Mid North Coast: highest rates
Northern Territory
4 deaths, 43% decrease
Drowning rate: 1.53 per 100,000
Highest deaths: 75+ years
Top End & Big Rivers: highest rates
Queensland
90 deaths, 36% increase
Drowning rate: 1.62 per 100,000
33% aged 65+
Leading locations: rivers 33%, beaches 23%, pools 17%
Torres & Cape and North West QLD: highest rates
South Australia
24 deaths, 71% increase
Drowning rate: 1.27 per 100,000
50% aged 65–74
Leading location: ocean/harbour 33%, beaches 29%
Tasmania
8 deaths, 11% decrease
Drowning rate: 1.39 per 100,000
54% aged 55+
South East region: highest rates
Leading locations: rivers 38%, beaches 25%
Victoria
52 deaths, 8% increase
Drowning rate: 0.75 per 100,000
19% aged 18–24
48% during summer
Leading locations: beaches 21%, rivers 19%, lakes 12%
Western Australia
49 deaths, 36% increase
Drowning rate: 1.65 per 100,000
Leading locations: beaches 31%, ocean/harbours 20%, rivers 18%
20% aged 75+
56% from most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas
Read the full report here.