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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 12 Aug 2025 Parents Urged to Prioritise Swimming Lessons in Line with National Water Safety Benchmarks News and Media < Back to News 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 National-Swimming-and-Water-Safety-Framework_FINAL-2020 (6) .pdf Download PDF • 13.45MB Previous Next < Back to News Related Posts A Great Day on the Green at the Drowning Prevention Golf Day News and Media National Drowning Report 2026: New South Wales drowning toll reinforces need for action News and Media Celebrate World First Aid Day with 10% Off First Aid Training News and Media

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Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death in children under the age of five in Australia. Royal Life Saving have developed a specific education program designed for children aged 3-5, to help teach vital water safety messages.  5 STAR AQUATIC SAFETY PARTNERS Apply Now Log In About the Program When looking for a pool or aquatic facilty for either your self or on behalf of a school, Royal Life Saving encourages everyone in NSW / ACT / TAS to seek out those swimming pools who display the 5 Star Water Safety Partner logo as shown. Become a Partner Apply Now How our Program Works These swimming pools have all passed a rigorous 40 point aquatic safety check and demonstrate a strong commitment to aquatic safety standards. The check list has been sourced from the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO) , an established industry safety standard designed to maximise the safety of all aquatic facilities. The GSPO guides swimming pool operators on the safe operation of swimming facilities, outlining best practice standards and legislative requirments. 5 Star Water Safety Partners commit to an annual Aquatic Facility Safety Assessment undertaken by Royal Life Saving. These swimming pools have all passed a rigorous 40 point aquatic safety check and demonstrate a strong commitment to aquatic safety standards. Our Existing 5 Star Partners ACT VENUES AIS Aquatic Centre (Australian Institute of Sport) Australian National University (ANU) Club Lime Big Splash Waterpark - Canberra Canberra International Sports and Aquatic Centre (CISAC) Club Lime Canberra Olympic Pool Dickson Aquatic Centre Gungahlin Leisure Centre Lakeside Leisure Centre - ACT Manuka Swimming Pool Stromlo Leisure Centre NSW VENUES Andrew ‘Boy” Charlton Pool Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre Ashfield Aquatic Centre Bay Pavilions Arts and Aquatic Centre Birrong Leisure and Aquatic Centre Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope Blacktown Aquatic Centre Blackheath Swimming Pool Cabarita Swimming Centre Camden War Memorial Pool Caringbah Leisure Centre Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton Cook and Phillip Park Pool Drummoyne Swimming Pool Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre East Maitland Aquatic Centre Enfield Aquatic Centre Fairfield Leisure Centre Great Lakes Aquatic and Leisure Centre Gulgong Olympic Swimming Pool Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre Hawkesbury Oasis Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre Jamberoo Action Park Kandos Olympic Swimming Pool Kendall Community Pool Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre Kurri Kurri Fitness and Aquatic Centre Lakeside Leisure Centre – NSW Laurieton War Memorial Baths Lawson Swim Centre Maitland Aquatic Centre Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre Manning Aquatic Centre (Bathurst) Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre (Taree) Max Parker Leisure & Aquatic Centre Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre Mount Annan Leisure Centre Mount Druitt Swimming Centre Mudgee Pool and Water Park Narooma Swimming Centre Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre Parkes Aquatic Centre Peak Hill Swimming Pool Port Macquarie War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool Prairiewood Leisure Centre Prince Alfred Park Pool QPRC Aquatics Queanbeyan (Q-One Queanbeyan) Richmond Swimming Centre Riverstone Swimming Centre Roselands Leisure & Aquatic Centre Singleton Gym and Swim Sydney Gymnastic & Aquatic Centre Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Tea Gardens Swimming Pool Tilligerry Aquatic Centre Tomaree Aquatic Centre Trundle Swimming Pool Tullamore Swimming Pool Victoria Park Pool Warringah Aquatic Centre Wauchope Memorial Olympic Pool Whitlam Leisure Centre Wingham Memorial Swimming Pool Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre TAS VENUES Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre Smithton Wellbeing Indoor Recreation & Leisure (SWIRL) Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre Become a Partner today! Apply Now

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