The National Drowning Report 2026 recorded 313 drowning deaths in Australia, 10 per cent higher than the 10-year average.
Nearly half of all fatalities (151 deaths) occurred in coastal locations, while 90 deaths occurred in inland waterways and 44 in swimming pools, with most pool drownings occurring in backyard pools. Older adults aged 65 years and over accounted for 95 deaths (30 per cent of all fatalities), while there were 34 deaths among people aged 15–24 years.
Encouragingly, drowning deaths among children under five fell to 39 per cent below the 10-year average, however the report still recorded 11 drowning deaths among children under five in Australia in 2025/26, with more than half occurring in backyard swimming pools. Each year, around 80 children under five are hospitalised after a non-fatal drowning. Some experience lasting health impacts that affect both them and their families.
Although drowning deaths among young children have fallen over the past decade, every single death is a reminder that we can’t afford to become complacent. Young children are curious and increasingly mobile, and it can take only a moment for them to reach the water.
Teaching children to swim is another important part of keeping them safe around water. Knowing how to swim can help children feel more confident and comfortable in the water, and can also teach them how to move through water, float and reach the side – skills that may help them respond if they unexpectedly fall in.
Additionally, swimming lessons build coordination, strength and endurance while helping children learn safe behaviours around water. Starting lessons at an age and pace that suit your child will help them gradually build water confidence and develop essential skills. The sooner your child can independently get back to the side and out of the pool after a fall, the better!
However, as crucial as swimming lessons are, they are not a substitute for close adult supervision, pool barriers or other safety measures – even confident young swimmers need close supervision whenever they’re in or near water. A secure, well-maintained pool fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate adds another vital safeguard.
With the weather heating up, now is the perfect time to inspect your pool area to ensure it is safe for children. Check that pool gates close and latch properly, fences are secure, and there are no objects such as chairs, pot plants or toys that could be used to climb over the barrier. If you have a portable pool, empty and store it safely when not in use to prevent unsupervised access and reduce the risk of drowning.
Keep Watch is a child drowning prevention program that aims to keep children aged 0–4 years safe around water by encouraging parents and carers to follow four simple actions: Supervise children actively whenever they are near water, Restrict access to water through effective barriers and safety measures, Teach children water safety skills from an early age, and Respond by learning CPR and knowing what to do in an emergency.
Together, these actions help reduce the risk of drowning and create safer aquatic environments for young children. Royal Life Saving’s free checklist offers a simple guide to checking your pool area. It’s available online.