With drowning rates rising and nearly half of Year 6 students lacking basic swimming ability, Royal Life Saving spokesperson Craig Roberts—is urging parents to act now and enrol children in quality learn‑to‑swim programs aligned with the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework.

Startling Statistics: A Generation Without Essential Skills

Royal Life Saving Australia’s analysis of school teacher surveys reveals that 48% of Year 6 students are unable to swim 50 metres or tread water for two minutes—two fundamental benchmarks by age 12. Alarmingly, Swimming proficiency shows little improvement after Year 7. During the 2024–25 summer (Dec - Feb), Australia recorded 104 drowning fatalities, including 10 children under 14. 

This decline has roots in structural challenges: many families don’t or can’t continue lessons beyond primary school, and schools themselves often fail to offer swimming education—with 31% of schools providing no learn-to-swim programs, and 25% not holding swimming carnivals. 

Framework for Lifelong Safety

First introduced in 1999 and updated in recent years, the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework lays out clear national benchmarks for ages 6, 12, and 17. It defines competencies—from survival swimming and flotation to attitudes and behaviours—that form the foundation of a structured, progressive aquatic education. 

This Framework, endorsed by the Australian Water Safety Council is designed to guide governments, swim schools, educators—and critically, parents—in selecting programs that deliver balanced swimming and water safety education. 

Equity, Multicultural Engagement & Community Action—Craig Roberts Speaks

Craig Roberts, General Manager of Drowning Prevention and Education at Royal Life Saving NSW, highlights the need to bridge gaps among diverse communities. A key focus is on 572 drowning deaths among people born overseas between 2009 and 2019, making up 29% of all drownings—and most of those were among adults with poor survival skillsets. 

Roberts emphasises that a well‑designed campaign helps families feel seen and informed—especially through translated resources in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Nepali—and strengthens community awareness and uptake of lessons. drowningprevention.org.au

What Parents Should Do Now

• Enrol children early and maintain continuity: Early swimming exposure needs sustained progression to meet Framework benchmarks through primary and secondary years.

• Select programs aligned with the Framework: Look for swim schools offering structured, benchmark‑based instruction—such as those accredited under Royal Life Saving’s Swim and Survive program. 

• Advocate for school-based programs: Where possible, push for learn-to-swim offerings in schools—especially where programs have been cut due to staffing, funding, or timetable pressures. 

• Reach communities with barriers: New NSW initiatives—like Project Elevate, delivering over 50,000 free lessons to culturally diverse, regional, and low‑income families—provide an opportunity to support those most in need. drowningprevention.org.au

  
  

In Summary

Australia’s drowning trends underscore a distressing reality: vital swimming skills aren’t being achieved, and the consequences are mounting. The National Swimming and Water Safety Framework offers a clear roadmap for equipping children with life-saving competencies—but participation from families, educators, and communities is essential.

As Craig Roberts puts it: ensuring “families from multicultural backgrounds feel seen, represented, and have an increased awareness of the value of swimming lessons”—is not just about skill-building; it’s about saving lives and building lifelong safety and confidence. 

Download the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework