Australia has recorded its highest drowning death toll in three decades, with 357 people losing their lives in the 2024-25 financial year, according to a new report from Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia. The figure is 27% above the 10-year average and 34 more than the previous year.
The report, released on Tuesday, highlights a sharp rise in drownings among older Australians. One-third of victims were over 65, and deaths among those aged 75 or older increased by 63% compared to the 10-year average. Justin Scarr, chief executive of Royal Life Saving Australia, said many older people overestimate their swimming ability and are unaware of how age, health conditions, or medications can affect their safety in water.
Coastal drownings accounted for 43% of all deaths, with rip currents remaining the leading coastal hazard. Surf Life Saving Australia chief executive Adam Weir noted that rip currents cause more than one in three beach drowning deaths, claiming more lives than sharks, floods, and cyclones combined. New South Wales recorded the highest number of drownings at 129, while Western Australia had the highest rate per capita.
The report also raised concerns about declining swimming skills among Australians, particularly children. Around half of primary school leavers cannot swim, and many teenagers leave high school without essential water safety skills. Scarr emphasised the need for ongoing, practical swimming education, warning that online programs cannot replace time in the water.
Drowning rates were higher in disadvantaged areas, with children under 14 especially vulnerable. However, deaths among children under five remained low, attributed to pool fencing laws and awareness campaigns. Scarr called for increased investment in swimming lessons and safe swimming environments to reverse the trend.
