21 Jan Here’s the most up-to-date (and sobering) evidence on drowning in Australia.
Note: this is a companion piece to H2Know: How to Keep Your Family Safer Around Water
National drowning deaths (all ages)
- 357 people drowned in Australia in the 2024–25 financial year, a significant increase (27% above the 10-year average).
- This is the highest national drowning toll since records began in 1996.
Children and young people
- While drownings increased overall, children under five continue to show lower death numbers compared with the 10-year average — in one recent report there were 15 fatalities in this age group, with about half in home pools.
This is a positive trend compared with earlier years, likely reflecting long-term prevention efforts. - Separate reporting during the 2024–25 summer season estimated 104 people drowned in water and swimming pools, of whom 10 were children under 14.
Drowning locations
- Coastal environments (beaches, ocean and rocks) account for a large proportion of drownings.
- Swimming pools — including home pools — are prominent sites for non-fatal and some fatal incidents, especially for younger children.
Broader patterns
- For every drowning fatality there are estimated to be three non-fatal drowning incidents, many requiring hospitalisation.
Note: Many of these figures are based on the most recent Royal Life Saving Australia National Drowning Report (FY 2024–25) and analyses by national agencies.
