Inland waterways such as rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, dams and lagoons provide significant social and economic value to Australia and require comprehensive consideration in waterway planning and management.  However, the use of any water body introduces a level of risk to the public.

Inland waterways are the most prominent location for unintentional fatal drownings to occur in Australia. Within Australia, inland waterways are the most prominent location for unintentional fatal drownings to occur. In the summer of 2021/22 51% of all drowning deaths occurred in inland waterways. Twenty-eight percent of drownings involved swimming and recreation, 13% involved boating and 13% involved an unintentional fall into water.

The Royal Life Saving Society Australia has developed these Guidelines for Inland Waterway Safety in response to that risk.

The Guidelines provide practical guidance to assist inland waterway owners and operators as well as statutory authorities to determine how best to manage the risk of drowning and serious injury resulting from the use of or access to inland waterways and their waterfronts.