Home

Every splash, kick and paddle and adventure around water should be enjoyed safely—and safer choices start with each of us.

From 16–21 November 2026, SWIMSAFER Week will bring swim schools, aquatic facilities, teachers, coaches and families together to celebrate the skills, knowledge and everyday actions that help save lives.

This year’s theme, SWIMSAFER Starts with Me, is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play. It starts with learning to swim, practising essential survival skills, actively supervising children, understanding the conditions and knowing what to do in an emergency.

Confidence around water is valuable—but confidence is strongest when it is backed by practical skills.

The numbers tell an important story

According to the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2025:

• 357 people lost their lives to drowning in Australia
• The national drowning toll was 27% higher than the 10-year average
• 43% of drowning deaths occurred at coastal locations
• 34% occurred in inland waterways, including rivers, creeks, lakes and dams
• 35 drowning deaths occurred in swimming pools, with 68% in backyard pools
• Drowning rates were nearly three times higher for regional and remote residents compared with people living in major cities.

Behind every number is a person, a family and a community. These figures reinforce why swimming and water-safety skills should be learned, practised and strengthened throughout every stage of life.

Meet our 2026 Ambassador

Olympic gold medallist, television presenter and mother Giaan Rooney OAM OLY is proudly joining us as the official SWIMSAFER Week 2026 Ambassador.

Having spent a lifetime around the water, Giaan understands the freedom, confidence and joy that swimming can bring—and the importance of building the practical skills needed to enjoy it safely.

Together, we’re encouraging every Australian to ask:

 What can I do to help myself and others stay safer in and around water?

For you, SWIMSAFER Starts with Me might mean:

• Enrolling your child in swimming lessons
• Refreshing your own swimming or survival skills
• Actively supervising children around water
• Wearing a correctly fitted lifejacket
• Checking weather and water conditions
• Learning CPR and emergency response skills
• Sharing an important water-safety message with someone you love

No action is too small. When each of us takes responsibility, together we create safer families, safer aquatic environments and safer communities.

 Get involved in SWIMSAFER Week

Throughout SWIMSAFER Week, participating swim schools and aquatic facilities across Australia will deliver activities and share practical messages designed to turn awareness into action.

Become a member and receive access to our specially designed SWIMSAFER Week Supporters Kit, which includes posters, social media tiles and much more.

 

SWIM It Forward

We are excited to continue the SWIM It Forward initiative as part of this year's SWIMSAFER Week. Our research indicates that 31% of Australian children are currently not enrolled in swimming lessons. Concerns about their children being too young and the perceived cost of swimming lessons are among the top reasons cited by parents. Learning to swim is a fundamental preventive measure that parents can take to ensure their children's safety in and around water. Our goal is to make this essential education accessible to more children. For just $25 (tax deductible) or the cost of one swimming lesson you will be helping those most at risk of drowning. The more children we can get into swimming lessons, the lower the risk of drowning becomes. Please help us out. We are asking Swim Schools and Swim Clubs to jump on board and help us with this worthy cause. Set up your own fundraiser goal, spread the word and start fundraising. Let's get more kids in the pool and learning how to swim. Head over to the SWIM It Forward project page and sign up. You will get your own fundraising sub-page where you can track your progress, and you will be helping us reach our national goal. Join us in making a real impact.