National Drowning Report 2024

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.

The National Drowning Report 2024, released on Tuesday 20^th August at Parliament House, Canberra showed drowning is a persistent and traumatic issue that affects thousands of families, first responders and communities every year.

The National Drowning Report 2024, published by the Royal Life Saving – Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, found there were 323 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, 16 per cent higher than the ten-year average (278).

The National Drowning Report 2024 insights include: 

• 92 adults 65 years or older drowned (28% of the total), the largest number ever
• 15 children under the age of 5 drowned. This was down by 25% on the 10-year average
• 25% were born overseas, with the highest countries being India, China, Nepal and the UK. Long term data shows this figure is higher (34% over ten years)
• People from disadvantaged and regional areas drowned at a higher rate than those from higher advantaged areas, particularly in children aged 5 – 14 years
• 46% occurred in coastal locations (150), including 84 drowning deaths (26%) at beaches
• 34% at inland waterway locations (110), including 80 drowning deaths (25%) at rivers
• 11% occurred in swimming pools (35 deaths), half (51%) were backyard pools
• December and March recorded the highest numbers of drowning deaths
• Drowning rates increase ten-fold from age 10 to age 20, likely due to increases in risk taking, and a lack of swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills across youth and young adult populations.

Queensland Specific Information

Last year, Queensland reported an increase in drowning deaths compared to the 10-year average.

• 70 drowning deaths that occurred in Queensland in 2023/24
• The drowning rate of 1.28 per 100,000 popula􀆟on decreased by 2%, compared to the 10-
  year average.

Who is drowning in Queensland

• 77% were male
• 29% were born overseas*
• 26% were among people aged 65 years and over
• 35% all drowning deaths in Queensland were of people who lived in areas highest
  disadvantage (IRSAD scores below 4 or below)
• The Torres and Cape and North West QLD regions reported the highest crude rates of
  drowning per 100,000 residents in Queensland and were among the highest rates for any
  region across Australia.

Where are people drowning?

• 36% river/creek
• 20% ocean/harbour
• 17% swimming pool
• 33% swimming and recrea􀆟ng
• 13% boating

When are people drowning?

• 48% occurred during the Summer months
• 23% occurred in December

Previous National Drowning Reports