Australia’s drowning death toll highest since records began three decades ago

Published on August 26, 2025 at 01:00 AM
Australia’s drowning death toll highest since records began three decades ago

Report reveals 357 deaths from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 – 27% more than the 10-year average

Australians’ swimming skills are at crisis levels, lifesaving organisations warn, as a new report shows 357 people drowned last financial year, the highest drowning death toll since records began in 1996.

The annual drowning report released by Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia on Tuesday recorded 357 deaths between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 – 34 more than the previous year’s total of 323, and a 27% increase on the 10-year average.

Continue reading...
Australia news

Related from theguardian.com