The National Drowning Report 2023, developed by Royal Life Saving – Australia in partnership with
Surf Life Saving Australia, provides an analysis of fatal drowning between 1 July 2022 and 30 June
2023.

The analysis shows that 281 people lost their lives to drowning in Australia last financial year.
Nationally, the number of drowning fatalities in children aged 0-4 years (16 deaths, 6%) was 33 per
cent below the ten-year average.

57% of drowning deaths were people over the age of 45 years.

Drowning was above the 10-year average for all age groups 45 years and older except for 65-74,
where there was no change.

The leading drowning locations for nationally were rivers/creeks (76 deaths, 27%), beaches (75
deaths, 27%), and ocean/harbours (33 deaths, 10%).

The National Drowning Report analysis also shows that those residing in regional and remote areas
drown at higher rates compared to those residing in major ci􀆟es, and that those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas drown at higher rates that those in advantaged areas.

National Drowning Report 2023 for Queensland

• 2022/23 drowning deaths: 61
• 10-year average: 66
• This is an 8% decrease compared to the 10-year average
• 2022/23 drowning fatal drowning rate per 100,000: 1.15
• 10-Year Average Fatal Drowning Rate per 100,000: 1.35
• This is a 15% decrease compared to the 10-year average

QLD 2022/23 Facts:

• 70% of all drowning deaths in Queensland were males (43 deaths)
• 20% of drowning deaths adults aged 45-54 years (12 deaths).
• 10% of drowning deaths children under 5 years of age (6 deaths).
• Top 3 locations
  • 28% of drowning deaths occurred at River/creek locations (17 deaths)
  • 23% of drowning deaths occurred at a Beach (14 deaths)
  • 21% of drowning deaths occurred at Ocean/harbour locations (13 deaths)
• Top 2 activities:
  • 39% of drowning deaths occurred while swimming and recreating (24 deaths)
  • 16% of drowning deaths occurred while boa􀆟ng (10 deaths)