Drowning levels continue to increase despite ever increasing resources

Australia’s National Drowning Report 2024 shows that the nation has had another tragic year, experiencing 323 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, a number 14% higher than last year when there were 278 incidents.

Released today at Parliament House, Canberra, the Report shows drowning incidents in rivers, at beaches and in swimming pools, continue to impact thousands of families, first responders and communities every year.

Published by the Royal Life Saving - Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, the National Drowning Report 2024 insights include:

• 92 adults 65 years or older drowned (28% of the total), the largest number ever
• 15 children under the age of five drowned. This was down by 25% on the 10-year average 
• 25% were born overseas, with the highest countries being India, China, Nepal and the UK. Long term data shows this figure is higher (34% over 10 years)
• People from disadvantaged and regional areas drowned at a higher rate than those from higher advantaged areas, particularly in children aged five to 14 years
• 46% occurred in coastal locations (150), including 84 drowning deaths (26%) at beaches 
• 34% at inland waterway locations (110), including 80 drowning deaths (25%) at rivers
• 11% occurred in swimming pools (35 deaths), half (51%) were backyard pools
• December and March recorded the highest numbers of drowning deaths
• Drowning rates increase 10-fold from age 10 to age 20, likely due to increases in risk taking, and a lack of swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills across youth and young adult populations.

Advising that this year’s Report highlights that the need to invest in building community resilience to drowning, strengthen swimming and water safety skills of children and adults, especially for those living in regional communities and migrant communities, Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr noted “the Report is a reminder that many Australians now lack the skills to swim, float or stay safe in the water. It’s a reminder that drowning prevention starts at home, in schools and at local pools. We must ensure no child or adult misses out on learning to swim, and that all Australians have access to a safe place to swim, starting with a great local swimming pool.”

The Report highlights that over the past 10 years 34% of the people who drowned were born overseas, often recently arrived refugees, migrants or international students. The main countries were India, China and Nepal.

Scarr stated “in response to the tragic summer events, many migrant communities themselves are leading the way, raising awareness and promoting programs. Governments can do more. Policies changes can help to ensure migrants, refugees and international students have early access programs in their local communities.”

Highlighting that rip currents are the number one coastal hazard and are a contributing factor in coastal drowning deaths, Surf Life Saving Australia Chief Executive, Adam Weir commented “tragically, there were 150 coastal drowning deaths recorded around the country, with 56% occurring at beaches. Sadly, beaches saw a significant increase in drowning deaths this year, with swimming at locations away from lifesaving services again being a major risk.”

“Seven in 10 coastal drowning deaths occurred more than one kilometre away from a lifesaving service showcasing again the crucial role surf lifesavers play,” Adam Weir says.

“Never before have our surf lifesavers and lifeguards worked harder to keep people safe at Australian beaches, with over 2.4 million preventative actions and nearly 9,000 rescues in the last twelve months. More and more are being asked of surf lifesavers and lifeguards each year as beach usage around the country continues to grow and people explore a wider range of coastal locations.”

The Report shows that adults 65 years or older are drowning at rates 2 1/5 times those of children under five. This age group (65 years plus) now equates to 28% of all drowning deaths and can of10 be attributed to the impacts of underlying medical conditions, especially while boating or swimming, and falls into water.

The high drowning rate comes despite record funding for lifesaving bodies.

National Drowning Report - State and Territory Data*
Australian Capital Territory
•  There were two drowning deaths in the ACT

New South Wales
• 128 drowning deaths occurred in New South Wales in 2023/24, an increase of 33% on last year
• The drowning rate of 1.53 per 100,000 population increased by 25%, compared to the 10-year average.
• The highest number of drowning deaths were in the 25-34 and 45-54 year age groups (16% each).
• The Far West and Mid North Coast Regions had the highest rates of drowning per 100,000 residents.

Northern Territory
• Five drowning deaths occurred in the Northern Territory in 2023/24
• The drowning rate of 1.29 per 100,000 population decreased by 39%, compared to the 10-year average.
• The highest number of drowning deaths in NT occurred among those aged 55+ years
• Top End and Big Rivers regions had the highest rates of drowning per 100,000 residents, 5th nationally

Queensland
• 70 drowning deaths that occurred in Queensland in 2023/24
• The drowning rate of 1.28 per 100,000 population decreased by 2%, compared to the 10-year average.
• 26% were among people aged 65 years and over
• The Torres and Cape and North West QLD regions reported the highest rates of drowning per 100,000 residents in Queensland and were among the highest rates for any region across Australia.

South Australia
• 12 drowning deaths that occurred in South Australia in 2023/24
• The drowning rate of 0.65 per 100,000 population decreased by 19%, compared to the 10-year average.
• 92% were male
• 33% were people aged 65-74 years old, the highest rate of 2.02 deaths per 100,000 population

Tasmania
• 11 drowning deaths occurred in Tasmania in 2023/24
• The drowning rate of 1.92 per 100,000 population increased by 14%, compared to the 10-year average.
• 54% were people aged 55 years and over
• The South East region had the highest rates of drowning per 100,000 residents and was 4th nationally

Victoria
• 54 drowning deaths occurred in Victoria in 2023/24
• The drowning rate of 0.79 per 100,000 population increased by 1%, compared to the 10-year average.
• 19% occurred in the 18-24-year age group, the highest rate of 1.62 deaths per 100,000 population. 
• 48% occurred during the Summer months

Western Australia
• 41 drowning deaths occurred in Western Australia in 2023/24
• The drowning rate of 1.42 per 100,000 population increased by 7%, compared to the 10-year average.
• Drowning rates among children four years and under were 52% higher this year compared to the 10-year average, in contrast to that national picture where numbers and rates in this age group are falling. 
• 56% of all drowning deaths in Western Australia were of people who resided in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, compared to 35% nationally.
*all rates are crude rates. 

Images: Australia’s National Drowning Report 2024 highlights the dangers of inland waterways (top) and drowning dangers among people who were born overseas (middle). Lower Image shows Royal Life Saving's Swim and Survive program. All images credit: Royal Life Saving.