Water Safety and Drowning Prevention

• Aqua Safe Water Safety and Awareness Program, opens in a new tab, ACT Government Education, (April 2025). Water Safety and Awareness Program is designed specifically for Year 2 students attending ACT public schools, with a focus on water safety in or near water, teaching basic swimming skills, and improving a child’s skills when in water. The program was developed as a joint initiative between Royal Life Saving ACT, opens in a new tab (RLSSACT) and the ACT Government, through the Education Directorate. The program consists of a 2-week (10-day) block of pool-based sessions and 5 x 40 minute classroom sessions. RLSSACT is responsible for the organisation and facilitation of the pool sessions, including transport, for all ACT primary schools. Online resources have been developed for teaching staff, covering swimming proficiency testing external link and the delivery of the classroom sessions.
• Ngadyung, opens in a new tab is the word used by the traditional land owners in the ACT region – the Ngunnawal People – to describe water and various activities associated with it. Ngadyung is Canberra’s only dedicated Aquatic Recreation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and provides free access to the RLSSA Swim and Survive program for children in the local community who are otherwise at risk of missing out on formal water safety and survival education.
• Swim 4 Life Holiday Program , opens in a new tabprovides equitable opportunities for ACT children to participate in a variety of aquatic programs regardless of their background or financial situation. Swim 4 Life runs during the January, April and October school holidays in the ACT and is offered to children aged 4 to 12. Children participate in daily sessions that focus on developing vital swimming and water safety skills such as safe entries and exits, breath control, floating, sculling, survival and lifejacket skills, basic rescues and safe behaviours in a range of aquatic environments.

• Learn to Swim Program, opens in a new tab, NSW Government, (25 February 2025). Under the program, those most at-risk of drowning will be able to access as many as 10 lessons completely free of charge to ensure they develop basic swimming and anti-drowning skills. The providers will deliver free learn to swim and water safety lessons to all major at-risk demographics including people from low socioeconomic groups, multicultural communities, First Nations people and people in regional areas.
• Water Safety NSW, opens in a new tab, NSW Government, (accessed 24 April 2025). The website contains information on aquatic safety related to boating, fishing, home pools, inland waterways, and beaches.
• Swimming Pool Register, opens in a new tab, NSW Government, (accessed 24 April 2025). This site contains information about home pool safety, inspection, and legal requirements.
• The Surf Club Facility Program, opens in a new tab, NSW Office of Sport, (accessed 24 April 2025). The Program aims to assist eligible Surf Life Saving Clubs throughout NSW to develop facilities that will enable increased participation in Surf Life Saving for all people, increased facility usage, and improved safety. The NSW Government has allocated up to $5,404,000 for this Program in 2024/25. Applicants may submit more than one application however an organisation will not be granted more than $1,000,000 from this Program in 2024/25.

• NT Water Safety Strategy 2030, opens in a new tab, Northern Territory Government and the Northern Territory Water Safety Advisory Council, (September 2023). This strategy is designed to build on work that has already been done, while continuing to minimise the rate of drowning, non-fatal drowning and water related injuries in the Northern Territory.
  • NT Water Safety Advisory Council, opens in a new tab (NTWSAC). Members of the NTWSAC meet quarterly and report six monthly to review the current action plan that underpins the strategy. The minutes of the meetings and bi-annual reports are sent to the Minister for consideration. The Chairperson will meet with the Minister as required or requested to ensure the highest standards of water safety are implemented in the Northern Territory.
• Drowning and water safety, opens in a new tab, NT Government, (accessed 24 April 2025). Brief information on preventing drowning at home, especially for young children, and programs relating to the dangers of playing in pipes and drains.
• Learn to swim vouchers, opens in a new tab , NT Government, (accessed 24 April 2025). Available for children under 5 years of age who are not enrolled in preschool or school. Each child can receive two $100 vouchers per year. Children must be registered for the water safety awareness program, opens in a new tab run by the Royal Life Saving Society before you apply for the vouchers.

• Water safety and swimming education, opens in a new tab, Queensland Government, Education, (19 February 2025). The Queensland Government is committed to providing a high quality water safety and swimming education program and developed the:
  • Water Safety Action Statement, opens in a new tab
  • Water Safety Action Plan, opens in a new tab
  • Pledge of Commitment to Water Safety, opens in a new tab
• South East Queensland Local Water Safety Strategy., opens in a new tab This strategy balances a focus on the prevention of drowning with reinforcing the benefits of recreating in and around the water. It will provide the region with a guiding strategy for reducing drowning, coordinating collective action and reinforcing the importance of safe enjoyment of the water. This will be achieved through improvements to individual and community resilience and investments in infrastructure, programs, research and capacity-building of the water safety community in the region.

• The South Australian Water Safety Committee, opens in a new tab (SAWSC) was formalised in 2006 to direct South Australia’s approach towards water safety. The SAWSC promotes, guides, and provides subject matter advice regarding water safety.
• VACSWIM, opens in a new tab is a government funded initiative that’s been providing South Australian primary school children with water knowledge for more than 50 years. VACSWIM is South Australia's most renowned summer holiday program giving our kids (aged 3-12) confidence in and around the water. Programs are offered as 5-day blocks across over 120 locations. The VACSWIM program is the only government subsidised and endorsed summer holiday safety program.
• South Australia's Recreational Boating Safety Strategy 2025-2030, opens in a new tab aims to help combat irresponsible and dangerous behaviour across the state’s coastal and inland waters.
  • This Strategy contains five priority areas, identified from evidence and extensive consultation, to guide decisions and actions through to 2030 with the goal to deliver better safety outcomes for all into the future.

• Swimming and water safety, opens in a new tab, Tasmanian Government, Department of Education, (accessed 24 April 2025). The Tasmanian Department of Education provides a mandatory program for Year 3, 4 and 5 students and at-risk Year 6 students (optional) in Tasmanian Government schools to participate in quality swimming and water safety instruction. This program consists of ten consecutive lessons per year, supporting students to become competent swimmers and be water safe.

• Play it Safe by the Water, opens in a new tab is a collaborative program between the Victorian Government and the aquatics and safety sectors. Established in 1998, Play it Safe by the Water is a communication and awareness program that aims to increase safety around water and reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents in Victoria. The Victorian Government works with the aquatics and safety sectors in promoting positive change in relation to water safety, through education, events and awareness activities to ensure water safety is a priority for all ages, genders and cultures.
• Swimming and water safety education, opens in a new tab, Victorian Government, Education and Training, (accessed 24 April 2025). The Victorian Curriculum F-10 requires schools to deliver swimming and water safety education as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.
  • The Victorian Water Safety Certificate, opens in a new tab is a Victorian Government initiative, which describes specific competencies that should be achieved by the time students reach the end of primary school. The certificate describes specific competencies that focus on water safety knowledge, rescue skills, a survival sequence and the ability to swim a continuous distance of 50 metres. The certificate is designed to supplement existing swimming and water safety programs delivered by schools and learn-to-swim providers.

• Water safety, opens in a new tab, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, (accessed 24 April 2025). The department works collaboratively with a broad range of industry stakeholders to deliver water-based safety strategies and programs that:
  • develop individual’s physical skills and abilities;
  • improve the public’s awareness of water safety; and
  • promote the importance of aquatic education.

United Nations (UN)

• World Drowning Prevention Day - 25 July: On 28 April 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/75/L.76, opens in a new tab on Global drowning prevention. Among other recommendations the Resolution proclaimed 25 July as 'World Drowning Prevention Day' to raise awareness and promote coordinated, multisectoral action.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

• Drowning, opens in a new tab, World Health Organisation, (accessed 24 April 2025). Drowning is a leading killer. The Global status report on drowning prevention shows that over 300 000 people lost their lives to drowning in 2021, Drowning disproportionately impacts children and young people. Children aged under 5 years account for nearly a quarter of all drowning deaths, and more than half of deaths occur among people aged under 30 years. Over 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Drowning prevention interventions range from community-based solutions, such as day care for children and barriers controlling access to water, to effective national policies and legislation around water safety, including setting and enforcing boating, shipping and ferry regulations. While significant progress has been made in reducing drowning deaths, much more needs to be done. Everyone should have safe access to water and be able to enjoy water safely.
• Global status report on drowning prevention 2024,, opens in a new tabWorld Health Organisation, (13 December 2024). The Global status report on drowning prevention details the scale of global drowning fatalities, and progress made in advancing strategies and actions to reduce drowning around the world. The report presents a benchmark against which to track drowning prevention progress over time – at global, regional and national levels – and to galvanise meaningful multisectoral collaboration within governments, organisations, societies and across the Unites Nations.
• Preventing drowning,, opens in a new tabWorld Health Organisation, (23 May 2022). This publication provides best practice recommendations for 3 interventions to prevent drowning. The 3 interventions – provision of day-care, basic swimming and water safety skills, and safe rescue and resuscitation training – are implemented at community level. Safe and effective implementation depends on programme implementers following the guidance provided in these best practice recommendations.
• Preventing drowning: an implementation guide, opens in a new tab, World Health Organisation, (1 May 2017). This guide provides practical steps to reduce drowning – one of the world’s most preventable, neglected and pressing public health issues. Through 10 evidence-based interventions and strategies it is designed to help drowning-prevention practitioners – from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and researchers to government officials and policy-makers – approach drowning prevention in a strategic, evidence-based and multisectoral way. It also highlights ways to harness public awareness and engagement to strengthen drowning prevention interventions.
• Global report on drowning: preventing a leading killer, opens in a new tab, World Health Organisation, (17 November 2014). Drowning is a serious and neglected public health threat claiming the lives of 372 000 people a year worldwide. More than 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. This death toll is almost two thirds that of malnutrition and well over half that of malaria – but unlike these public health challenges, there are no broad prevention efforts that target drowning.

• Water Safety Ireland, opens in a new tab focus on public awareness and education. We strive to reduce fatalities by increasing water safety awareness and by changing attitudes and behaviours so that our aquatic environments can be enjoyed with confidence and safety.
• Water Safety Awareness Week, opens in a new tab is a week dedicated to water safety education, awareness and events. In 2025, Water Safety Awareness Week takes place from May 19 – May 25, where there will be a series of engaging events, activities, and programs to raise awareness about the importance of water safety.
• National Drowning Prevention Policy 2018 – 2027, opens in a new tab. Developed by Water Safety Ireland, this is a blueprint to save lives and reduce the number of drownings in Ireland by 50% by 2027. It is also a statement of what we can achieve when all our stakeholders combine their efforts with a shared focus.
  • On average 133 people die from drowning in Ireland every year.
  • The economic cost of drownings in Ireland is €266M each year.
  • Ireland's drowning death toll is more than two thirds of that on all our roads.
  • There are 3 times more male drowning fatalities than there are female.

Water Safety New Zealand, opens in a new tab. Through leadership, advocacy and education, Water Safety New Zealand works with water safety sector organisations, individuals and the public to reduce the incidence of drowning and injury in Aotearoa New Zealand. Their work contributes to the reduction in drownings and to a thriving society for individuals, families and communities.

Drowning is the leading cause of recreational death and the third highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand. New Zealand has a high fatal drowning rate compared to other Western nations such as Australia, Canada and the UK. For the past ten years our rate has been 1.7 per 100,000 of population and in 2020 is 1.62. In comparison, Australia's per capita rate is 1.1 and Canada's 1.3.

• National Drowning Prevention Report - 2024., opens in a new tab The 2024 National Drowning Prevention Report is the official account of preventable drownings across Aotearoa over the past year. Compiled by Water Safety New Zealand, using data from DrownBase, New Zealand’s authoritative drowning database, the report synthesises information from coronial findings, incident reports, and other verified sources. It provides an accurate and thorough representation of drowning incidents and remains a cornerstone resource for the water safety community, designed to inform strategy, guide interventions, aid policymakers, and support collaborative efforts to reduce drowning fatalities and promote safer water practices
• New Zealand Water Safety Sector Strategy 2025,, opens in a new tab (2021). To work collectively to instill respect for the water and encourage safe behaviours/tikanga by all people in Aotearoa New Zealand so that drowning fatalities and injuries are reduced.
• Drowning Insights., opens in a new tab Current year provisional data, live statistics, and past reports. In 2024, opens in a new tab, there were 72 drowning deaths, a decrease of 13% compared to the 10-year average. 21% of the fatalities were Māori (15 deaths), while people of Asian ethnicity accounted for 17% of deaths (12 deaths).
• Water Skills for Life, opens in a new tab provides freely available resources aimed at enhancing the quality and focus of aquatic programmes. The programme emphasises age-appropriate skills relevant to environments where drownings most commonly occur, such as beaches, rivers, and lakes.

National Water Safety Forum, opens in a new tab (NWSF) is a UK-focused, voluntary network, working together in order to reduce water-related deaths and associated harm. The NWSF was established in 2004 following a Government review into water safety. It sought to bring together a number of pre-existing national groups with the ambition of creating a ‘one-stop shop’ for the prevention of drowning and water safety harm in the UK, recognising the broad range of existing stakeholder groups, their respective contributions, and their own brands and values, often towards charitable objectives.

• The UK Drowning Prevention Strategy 2016-2026, opens in a new tab aims to reduce accidental drowning fatalities in the UK by 50% by 2026, and reduce risk amongst the highest risk populations, groups and communities.
• #RespectTheWater, opens in a new tab is the national campaign for members of the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF). It runs throughout the year, but with a focus on the busy spring and summer months, complimenting and amplifying a number of national water safety campaigns. It aims to provide lifesaving advice for those in danger in, on or close to the water.
• The WAter Incident Database, opens in a new tab (WAID) is a service developed by the NWSF to bring together water-related incident data from a wide range of sources within the UK search and rescue region, including search and rescue reports, coroners' reports and media reporting
• Water safety principles, opens in a new tab, (accessed 29 April 2025). The guiding principles were specially developed with the visitor in mind, therefore the level of assumed risk and protection afforded needs to be considered using a different matrix than that applied to an occupational situation or premise.

Water safety toolkit, opens in a new tab, Local Government Association, (accessed 29 April 2025). The LGA has produced a water safety toolkit for councils, to ensure both locals and visitors enjoy the natural environment safely whether on the coast or inland. In 2020, 254 people lost their lives in accidental drownings in the UK, with hundreds more having near drowning experiences, sometimes suffering life-changing injuries.