Royal Life Saving research shows a consistent peak in fatal drowning cases in the summer months. In a bid to understand the increased risks during this time, each year, we publish the Summer Drowning Toll from 1 December to the end of February, which charts drowning incidents around Australia in these months. This serves as a timely vehicle for us to promote safety advice in conjunction with our ongoing drowning prevention campaigns for particularly high-risk groups and communities, such as men, children and people from multicultural communities.

National Summer Drowning Toll 2024/25
104 lives lost to drowning in waterways and swimming pools this summer

• The National Summer Drowning Toll for 2024/25 identified that 104 people lost their lives to drowning, up 5% from last summer and 14% on the 5-year average.
• One-third (32%) of all summer drowning deaths were people aged 55 years and over. Ten children (0 -14 years) drowned this summer. Males remain over-represented (81%).
• New South Wales recorded the highest number of drowning deaths (33), followed by Victoria (22), Queensland (22), and Western Australia (15).
• Approximately one third each occurred at beaches (32%) and rivers (30%). River drowning increased by 29%. Swimming pool drowning deaths (11) doubled compared to last summer.
• Two-thirds (64%) of drowning deaths occurred in regional areas. Regional communities experience higher rates of drowning, due to greater exposure to natural waters, and reduced access to safe places to swim.
• Royal Life Saving is alarmed by the increase in drowning deaths again this summer and emphasise the need for long-term investments into drowning prevention measures.

Disclaimer: Figures presented in the Summer Drowning Reports are interim only, derived from media reports and may change due to pending coronial investigations.

Drowning prevention starts with you, before heading out this summer learn how to enjoy the water safely: