Published 2 March 2026
Royal Life Saving Australia’s National Summer Drowning Toll recorded 81 drowning deaths since 1 December. This represents one person drowning almost every day over summer.
While this figure is a 22 per cent reduction compared to last year. Royal Life Saving stresses that every drowning death represents a person, whose families and friends have lost a loved one.
While the drowning numbers this summer were down, several trends are concerning.
Males accounted for 91% of summer drowning fatalities. Those aged 65 years and over accounted for 30% (24) of drowning deaths. In comparison, 2% (2) drowning deaths occurred in children aged 0 – 10 years.
All states, except for Tasmania and the NT, reported reductions in drowning this summer. Regional Australia accounted for more than half (53%) of drowning deaths, and 31% occurred in metropolitan areas.
The leading locations were beaches (27%), ocean/harbours (25%) and rivers/creek (23%), reinforcing that people are visiting a range of locations which all can have unpredictable and changing conditions.
People commonly drowned while swimming and recreating (35%) and boating and watercraft (22%).
Royal Life Saving Chief Executive Officer Dr Justin Scarr said the data reinforces the need for ongoing caution as warm weather continues beyond the traditional summer months.
“With warm weather expected to continue into March and April, we strongly encourage people of all ages to follow simple water safety precautions so they can continue to enjoy the water safely, particularly as we head into the Autumn and Easter holiday period,” Dr Scarr said.
“Eighty-one lives lost this summer is a stark reminder that drowning can happen quickly and unexpectedly. The data shows older Australians and regional communities are most impacted, often during recreational activities like swimming and boating,” Dr Scarr said.
“Simple actions save lives - check your health before swimming, wear a lifejacket when boating, avoid alcohol around water, swim at patrolled locations, and never swim alone,” Dr Scarr said.
With weeks of warm weather predicted to continue around the country, Royal Life Saving is reminding all Australians that drowning prevention starts with you:
- Know your swimming abilities
- Always supervise children around water
- Avoid alcohol around water
- Wear a lifejacket when boating and fishing
- Avoid going alone
- Know the conditions
- Swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Media Contact:
Ross Woodward, Media Key
P: (03) 9769 6488
E: mediakeypr@iprimus.com.au
Royal Life Saving National Summer Drowning Toll
Note that the Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll is derived from media reporting, supplemented with information from Life Saving agencies. These numbers are interim and are subject to change in the National Drowning Report released later this year due to ongoing coronial investigations.
For more information see the Summer Drowning Report here: summerdrowningtoll.com.au
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