More than 100 Australians died by drowning this past summer

The number of Australians who died by drowning this past summer increased by 5% compared to the previous year.

Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSA) recorded 104 drownings between December 2024 and February 2025.

A third of all deaths occurred at beaches, while the number of swimming pool drownings has doubled since last summer.

RLSA said it is “alarmed” by this year’s findings, and has called for greater drowning prevention efforts nationwide.

Trends

RLSA has tracked summer drowning deaths since December 2018.

This summer’s death toll marks a 14% increase on the five-year average.

RLSA CEO Dr Justin Scarr said this year’s statistics “reinforce long-held concerns” about declining swimming abilities.

“This summer was tragic in so many ways. Too many families and communities have been affected by drowning,” Scarr said.

Drownings

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New South Wales recorded the highest number of drownings, with 33 deaths. Victoria and Queensland each reported 22.

Two-thirds of drownings (64%) occurred in regional areas. RLSA attributed this to “greater exposure to natural waters, and reduced access to safe places to swim.”

Beaches were the most common locations for drownings, while river fatalities made up 30% of deaths, an increase from last summer.

Swimming pool drownings also saw an increase, doubling from the previous year to 11 deaths.

People aged 55 and over accounted for a third of all deaths, while 10 children under 14-years-old drowned.

Men remain over-represented in drowning deaths, making up 81% of incidents.

Investments

RLSA said its findings highlighted a decline in swimming abilities among Australians, particularly children.

It pointed to missed swimming lessons during the pandemic and a lack of water safety education among migrants from countries where swimming is uncommon.

The organisation has called for greater investment in swimming and lifesaving skills, particularly for migrants, “to ensure that those most likely to miss out have access to a safe place to swim.”