National Drowning Reports
Every year, Royal Life Saving produces a National Drowning Report. The report examines the factors that contribute to drowning deaths in Australia.

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 2023

As we present the National Drowning Report for 2023 in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, we remain ever mindful of the people whose lives have been lost or impacted by drowning, including the many families affected by the loss or long-term injury of a loved one.

We are saddened to share that the National Drowning Report 2023 shows that:

  1. 281 people drowned in Australian waterways
  2. 77% of drowning deaths were male
  3. 57% were over the age of 45 years
Men are over-represented in drowning statistics
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