Renewed water safety strategy aims to reverse the rising trend in Australian drownings
The Australian Water Safety Council has released a refreshed Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030, strengthening national efforts to reduce drowning deaths by 50 per cent by the end of the decade. The target, first set in 2020, followed two decades of steady downward progress.
However, since the covid pandemic, drowning has been trending upwards. Declining swimming and water safety skills, changing recreational behaviours, population growth - particularly among people from countries with limited water safety awareness - and a hotter, more volatile climate are all contributing factors.
The renewed strategy sets out three national imperatives to reverse the current rising trend: boosting swimming and water safety skills for all, localising water safety efforts, and strengthening coordination across sectors and jurisdictions.
Australian Water Safety Council convenor and Royal Life Saving Australia CEO, Justin Scarr, says the strategy marks a critical moment for water safety in Australia.
“Drowning remains unacceptably high, particularly during summer,” Scarr says.
“This Strategy recognises that water safety starts with being able to swim, and that many of the most effective solutions are driven by local communities.
“It calls on governments to double down on what we know works – improving swimming and water safety skills, developing local water safety plans, and working better together.”
Developed through extensive consultation, the strategy provides a sharper, evidence-informed roadmap to guide all levels of government, water safety organisations and community partners.
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Adam Weir welcomed the strategy, highlighting the importance of place-based solutions.
“The Strategy has highlighted that beaches remain a high-risk drowning location. This summer, all coastal drowning fatalities have occurred outside of patrolled areas, highlighting the huge risk associated with swimming at unpatrolled beaches.
“By working together with governments and the water safety sector, we can expand our community reach, strengthen water safety skills, and implement targeted strategies to protect visitors to our coastline, particularly at remote locations and unpatrolled beaches.”
The strategy was informed by extensive consultation, including the 2025 National Water Safety Summit, and sets clear priorities.
It highlights that:
Beaches, rivers and lakes account for a large proportion of drowning deaths, reinforcing the need for coordinated lifesaving systems and improved risk management.
Children aged 0–4 years continue to drown at unacceptably high rates, averaging 14 deaths each year, underscoring the importance of pool fencing, active supervision and early intervention.
Young males aged 15–29 years remain over-represented in drowning deaths, with alcohol, risk-taking and peer influence identified as key factors requiring targeted education and communication.
Older adults aged 65 years and over are experiencing increasing fatal drowning rates, linked to medical conditions, changing physical ability and higher participation in aquatic recreation.
The strategy renews commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, multicultural communities, people in regional and remote areas, people with disability, and those experiencing social and economic disadvantage.
The Australian Water Safety Council is calling on governments, industry, community organisations and the public to unite behind the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030.
Coordinated action over the next five years will be critical to achieving the goal of halving drowning deaths by 2030.
IMAGE: Cover of the renewed strategy
