Article
A Drowning Risk We Do Not Talk About Enough: Overseas-Born Australians
New analysis from Aquatots shows that overseas-born Australians are at a higher risk of drowning. With National Water Safety Day on December 1, 2025, we need to ask: Are we reaching the communities at the highest risk?
Key findings
- Over the last
20 years, people born overseas have often made up a
bigger share of drowning deaths than their share of the population. In the late 2010s, they were about
30% of the population but up to
40% of drowning deaths.
- In the five years before COVID
(2015-16 to 2019-20), overseas-born Australians drowned at a rate about
25% higher than the overall population. This occurred while the national drowning rate improved. It suggests that overseas-born communities did not benefit as much as those born in Australia.
- From
2005-06 to 2023-24, there were
1,627 drowning deaths among people born overseas - over
30% of all drowning deaths in that period.
- From 2013-14 to 2022-23, the average annual drowning rate was 1.04 deaths per 100,000 for Australian-born residents. For overseas-born residents, it was 1.30. For Nepal-born people, it was 2.48, and for China-born people, it was 1.98.
Australia loves water, but not everyone is equally safe. Our analysis of 20 years of drowning data shows a clear pattern. People born overseas are often carrying more than their share of the grief.
Chart 1
Chart 1 shows how the picture has changed over time.
In the mid-2000s, overseas-born residents were about a quarter of the population. They were also about a quarter of drowning deaths.
Over time, that changed. By the late 2010s, people born overseas made up roughly 30% of Australia’s population. But in some years, they accounted for around 40% of drowning deaths.
A five-year bracket analysis highlights this shift (2024-25 excluded, overseas-born drowning data is provisional):
- 2005-06 to 2009-10: overseas-born people were about 27% of drowning deaths.
- 2010-11 to 2014-15: overseas-born people’s share rose to about 29%.
- 2015-16 to 2019-20: it jumped to over 36%, more than one in three deaths.
- 2020-21 to 2023-24: the share sits at about 29%.
This raises an important question. Is this simply due to the growth of the overseas-born population, or are overseas-born Australians actually less safe in the water?
To answer this question, we look at deaths per 100,000 people per year, the crude annual drowning rate. For much of the last 20 years, the rate for people born overseas has sat above the rate for the population as a whole (see chart 2).
Chart 2
In the five years before COVID (2015–16 to 2019–20), the drowning rate for overseas-born Australians was about 25% higher than the national average. In some of those years, the ‘extra risk’ climbed close to 40%.
For most of the period, the risk ratio (shown by the yellow dashed line in Chart 2) is at or above 1.0. This means overseas-born Australians were as likely, and often more likely, to drown than the average Australian.
Since COVID, the two lines have moved closer together. Overall drowning has gone up, and the gap between overseas-born and Australian-born has narrowed. But the long-term story is clear; for many years, overseas-born Australians - including many culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities were more likely to die once they entered the water.
The CALD communities cover many different communities. We focused on three large migrant communities: people born in China, India, and Nepal.
In 2005, the Nepal-born population in Australia was about 3,800. By 2024, it was around 197,800, more than 50 times larger. Over the same period, the India-born population grew by more than fivefold, and the China-born population by more than threefold.
We used ten years of Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database Dashboard data (2013-14 to 2022-23) and population figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We calculated average annual drowning rates per 100,000 people and compared different groups (see chart 3).
Chart 3
Two things stand out from chart 3:
- People born in Nepal and China seem to have a higher risk of drowning. This risk is greater than the average for those born overseas and for the Australian-born population.
- People born in India have a lower crude rate, but India and Nepal together still account for around seven drowning deaths a year on average.
Across this time period
(2013-14 to 2022-23), there were
933 drowning deaths
among people born overseas.
181
of these involved people born in
China, India, or Nepal, almost one in five overseas-born drowning deaths.
What this means for a drowning-free Australia
This study doesn’t explain all the reasons for the numbers. But it clearly shows that if Australia aims to reduce drowning deaths by half, CALD communities need to be included.
We know that overseas-born Australians face a higher drowning risk, it's time for specific action:
- Make swimming lessons more affordable and culturally safe.
- Offer water safety information in multiple languages.
- Listen to CALD communities about the barriers they face and the support they need.
Recognizing these patterns and admitting the gaps is the first step to real progress. It’s key to a drowning-free nation where no family is left behind.
Methodology & Data Notes
Data Sources
- NATIONAL DROWNING REPORT, Royal Life Saving Australia, several years
- Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database Dashboard
- 34090DO001_2024 Australia's population by country of birth 2024, Estimated resident population by country of birth - as at 30 June, 1996 to 2024, Released at 11:30 am (Canberra time) 30 April 2025, Australian Bureau of Statistics
- A 10 YEAR NATIONAL STUDY OF OVERSEAS BORN DROWNING DEATHS, 2005/06 to 2014/15, Royal Life Saving Australia
- Drowning Among Multicultural Communities in Australia, AN UPDATE: 2013/14 TO 2022/23, Royal Life Saving Australia
Formula
- Crude drowning rate
(raw death count in the year/population of the year) * 100,000
- Risk Ratio
Overseas-born drowning rate/Australian-born drowning rate
A value above 1 means overseas-born Australians face higher drowning risk.
Note
- 'Overseas-born' is not the same as 'CALD', our analysis focuses on country of birth
- We used the Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database Dashboard to analyse the annual total drowning death counts. The dashboard reports 316 deaths for the 2023-24 period. National Drowning Report 2024, Royal Life Saving Australia shows 323. The difference does not affect any trend or conclusion in the analysis.
Using our work
Aquatots Research & Data Team's work is meant to be shared and used widely. You do not need to seek our permission to reuse our article, charts, data, you just need to provide credit - http://www.aquatots.com.au/a-drowning-risk-we-do-not-talk-about-enough:-overseas-born-australians
About Aquatots
Understanding the Risks of Incorrect Submersion
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Submerging your baby the correct way is important, especially as the weather warms up and more parents head to the pool to cool off and enjoy time with their little ones.
We thought it was the perfect time to go over the technical side of submerging children under the age of three.
It is extremely important that parents are fully aware of the dangers of submerging babies that have not been conditioned to submerge correctly.
Not only will you end up having a child that will have a fear of swimming or the water but your are also running the risk of secondary drowning and or Hyponatremia/water intoxication.
Without waiting until your baby is conditioned to submerge by placing them underwater their air way will be open and the water that enters the mouth will go straight into the stomach and lungs.
Most babies under the age of one will not complain if they are being submerged incorrectly which make this age group extremely dangerous.
The Importance of Conditioning Your Baby
At Aquatots we fully condition our babies to submerge. This process also supports parents wondering how to get their child to put their face in the water.
Using the Submersion Reflex and Verbal Cues
Up until the age of three years old your baby has a reflex that we use for submerging. The reflex we use to condition the babies is a falling reflex, when your baby shuts their eyes their epiglottis (throat) will close over as well.
To teach your baby to use this reflex on cue we add the words 1, 2, 3 under and engage the baby reflex. Practising with
positive language in baby swim
can enhance this process.”
With enough practice you will find your baby will hear the words 1, 2, 3 under and will shut their eyes on cue and that is when they are ready to submerge.
Step-by-Step Conditioning Techniques
This conditioning can be started from birth, and it's important to note that
babies under 6 months can swim with the right guidance.
Use the cue 1, 2, 3 under and gently wipe or pour the water over your
baby’s face.
If you choose to use
flotation aids that meet safety standards, ensure they fit your baby properly and are used under close supervision.
Eventually your baby will hear the words and will shut their eyes on cue. This conditioning can be started from birth.
Recognising When Your Baby is Ready
It is important you allow your baby to learn the cue and engage the reflex before you attempt submerging.
Waiting until your baby is ready will mean the outcome will be a comfortable relaxed swimmer.
How to Submerge Safely and Smoothly
Once your baby has learnt the verbal cue it is time to move onto submerging. Keep in mind that your baby does have two cues.
The verbal (1, 2, 3 under) and a physical cue, which is a small lift on the word under. You must hold your child horizontal in the water as a vertical submersion will push the water up their nose (this stings).
Move with your baby; ensure you can see their face, and use the verbal cue, lift on the word under and if your baby’s eyes are shut they are ready to submerge.
Always make sure you’re following
recognised safety practices and using age-appropriate techniques.
Focus on your baby’s eyes not their mouth. If they eyes are closed the airway will be as well so even if their mouth is open the water can not get passed the throat.
Reading Your Baby’s Body Language
At this point you will also need to be reading your babies face and body language to ensure they are relaxed and ready for the submersion.
If your babies body seems tight or they are straining to keep their head up or if they are saying or making no sounds or gestures please DO NOT submerge.
You may wish to focus on more relaxed water skills like
beautiful baby back floats
until your baby shows signs of readiness.”
Allow your baby to ease in and become relaxed with what you are about to do. All your movements when submerging your baby must be smooth and controlled.
Try to use natural movement and not force your child through the water.
Babies under the age of three do not have enough neck strength to hold their head forward against the strength of the water so when forcing or pushing through the head will tip back and the water will go up their nose (this stings).
Fast and sudden movements also tend to startle and frighten babies. When a baby is startled they will throw their arms outwards and take a breath in.
If this happens underwater your baby will not only be shocked and unhappy but they will have had a big gulp of water.
Making your movements gentle and smooth will be paramount to your babies enjoyment of their time under the water.
Final Tips for Safe and Happy Swimming
The main aim of your submersions will be for you as the parent or guardian to relax and allow your baby to submerge when they are comfortable and ready.
The end result will ensure your baby will have maximum enjoyment above and under the water especially when you understand
the benefits of baby swimming
from an early age.
Our structured
babies swimming lessons focus on safe submersion techniques, reflex conditioning, and building confidence in the water from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it safe to start submerging my baby in water?
Conditioning can begin from birth, but actual submersion should only start when your baby is showing clear signs of readiness as described above.
What should I do if my baby swallows water during submersion?
Stay calm, comfort your baby, and avoid forcing further submersion. Monitor for any signs of distress and consult your swim instructor if unsure.
Can I practise submersion techniques at home?
Yes—conditioning with cues and small amounts of water over the face can be done during bath time under supervision.
