Towards a nation free from drowning
Since 1998, the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) has produced National Water Safety Plans and Strategies to guide the activities of the Australian water safety community and work towards a reduction of drowning deaths.
The new Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 was launched by the Hon Mark Coulton, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government on behalf of Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Minister for Sport in conjunction with the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) at Parliament House, Canberra on Thursday 25 March 2021.
The Australian Water Safety Strategy (AWSS) plays an essential role in National, State and Territory, and community approaches to preventing drowning and promoting safe use of the nation’s waterways and swimming pools. It outlines priority areas where Australia’s peak water safety bodies Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving, and AWSC Members can work together to prevent drowning on beaches, at rivers and lakes, and in swimming pools across Australia.
In launching the Australian Water Safety Strategy, Justin Scarr, Convenor of the Australian Water Safety Council says, “The previous Australian Water Safety Strategy proved effective with the fatal drowning rate reducing by 26% over the last ten years and drowning in children aged 0-4 years reducing by 50%, however drowning remains unacceptably high, impacting more than 280 families each year”.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck says there was more work to be done to ensure all Australians are safe in the water. “I applaud the Australian Water Safety Council for its commitment to reducing drowning by 50 per cent by 2030,” Minister Colbeck says. “Every drowning prevented or avoided is another family which doesn’t have to face the heartbreak of losing a loved one.”
This new Australian Water Safety Strategy seeks to raise awareness about non-fatal drowning incidents, encourage communities to create local water safety plans and promote access to swimming and water safety skills for all Australians, including refugees, migrants and those living in regional areas.
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 Events
The Australian Water Safety Council host a variety of events to advance the strategic priority areas of the AWSS 2030.
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 Mid-Point Review
July 2025 marks the halfway point of the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030. This provides an opportunity to critically assess progress to date, examine whether the Strategy continues to reflect the right priorities, and identify where greater focus and attention are needed.
A consultation draft containing core content to be included in the AWSS 2025 Update was released for review and feedback at the 2025 National Water Safety Summit in Sydney on July 24th and 25th, 2025. The Summit Agenda was designed as an engagement mechanism for consultation on the content of this document, and further feedback may be provided using the form below. Some adjustments may be made based on the discussions, learnings and outcomes form the Summit and feedback provided online.
The comment period for online consultation closed on August 17th, 2025.
The 2025 AWSS Update will be finalised and launched before the end of Summer 2025/2026.
Download the AWSS 2025 Update Consultation Draft Here
If you would like to provide any feedback to the consultation draft - please email wkoon@rlssa.org.au
