As I write this first column back leading into summer, it is with a heavy heart as I reflect on the fact that drownings in Australia remain a persistent and traumatic issue that affects thousands of families, first responders and communities every year.
The National Drowning Report 2025, published by Royal Life Saving Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, found there were 357 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, which was 27 per cent higher than the 10 year average, and – shockingly – the highest number of drowning deaths since records began.
These numbers have prompted urgent water safety warnings across the media and government, with the rise in drownings being attributed to “swimming skills remaining at crisis levels” and “our aging population facing greater risks due to health and mobility challenges” by Royal Lifesaving Australia.
In response to the statistics, the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 is focused on “strengthening swimming and water safety skills, boosting local water safety efforts, and encouraging collaboration across all levels and sectors of government”.
However, we must also act as individuals to keep these numbers down in our own communities. I cannot stress enough the absolute importance of learning to swim, at any age, and there are so many other actions we can take to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Supervise young children at all times around water, check your pool fences and gates, and learn CPR. 10 per cent of all drowning deaths occurred in swimming pools, and 68 per cent of those deaths were in backyard pools.
It is encouraging that we continue to see the number of drowning deaths in children aged 0-4 decrease as swimming lessons from six months of age become an important milestone of early childhood development, with this year’s report showing a 21 per cent decrease in fatalities on the 10-year average.
The lowest rates of drowning were in children 10-14 years, but this rises sharply for young adults aged 15-24 years, with this age group showing a 38 per cent increase on the 10-year average. It is crucial to ensure older children achieve their swimming benchmarks so as they have the skills needed later in life when not under direct adult supervision and at an age where risk taking behaviour is at an all time high developmentally.
Somewhat surprisingly, drowning rates were above the 10-year average for every age group over 45-years-of-age and one third of all drowning deaths were adults aged 65 and older. The news was even worse in the next age group, with the highest drowning rates in people aged 75 years and older. Where country of birth was known, 33 per cent of all drowning victims were born overseas.
Remember, it’s never too late to learn how to swim. Everyone has a role to play to prevent drowning. Seeing the drowning numbers at an all-time high over the past 12 months is a national disgrace and something we must work together to change.