Every year, Royal Life Saving produces a National Drowning Report. This report examines the factors that contribute to drowning deaths in Australia by examining who, where, when and how people have drowned in Australian waterways over the last year. Royal Life Saving has produced a National Drowning Report every year since 1995.
National Drowning Report 2026
The National Drowning Report 2026, released on Thursday 10 September at Parliament House, Canberra showed drowning is a persistent and traumatic issue that affects thousands of families, first responders and communities every year.
The National Drowning Report 2026, published by the Royal Life Saving Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, found there were 313 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, which was 10% higher than the 10-year average .
The National Drowning Report 2026 insights include:
- 313 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, a 10% increase on the 10-year average.
- The lowest rates of drowning were children 5-14 years, but this rises sharply by ages 15-24 years.
- Drowning rates were above the 10-year average for every age group over 45 years.
- The highest drowning rates were in people aged 65-74-year age group.
- 48% occurred in coastal locations (151), including 66 drowning deaths (21%) at beaches.
- 29% at inland waterway locations (90), including 68 drowning deaths (22%) at rivers.
- 14% occurred in swimming pools (44 deaths), 66% of those deaths were in backyard pools.
- Where country of birth was known, 39% were born overseas.
- Inequities persist – drowning rates double for those from the most disadvantages areas and nearly triple for regional residents and nearly quadruples for remote residents compared to major cities.
- Drowning increased in South Australia (up 29%), Tasmania (up 25%), Queensland (up 19%), New South Wales (up 9%), and Victoria (up 8%) compared to the 10-year average.
