Overview

• The report logged 357 fatal drownings in 2024–25, the highest since records began and 27% above the 10-year average.
• Older Australians were heavily affected, with one-third of deaths among people 65+ and fatalities for those 75+ up 63% on the decade average.
• Beaches and coastlines accounted for 43% of deaths, rip currents caused more than one in three beach drownings, and men made up 81% of all fatalities.
• Lifesaving bodies report swimming competency at crisis levels, with many children leaving primary school unable to swim 50 metres or float for two minutes and higher drowning rates in disadvantaged and remote areas.
• Surf Life Saving is seeking more funding, recruitment and safety infrastructure as Deloitte modelling credits volunteers with averting about 1,800 deaths annually, and the federal sports minister signalled a commitment to respond.