Water safety

Stay safe around water

Improve your safety around beaches, rivers, lakes and public or private swimming pools. Remember to:

be aware of the local water environment and weather conditions before entering the water
obey all water safety signs
don’t drink alcohol while recreating around water, or when supervising children
and make sure there’s someone looking out for you.

How to stay safe around water

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Check the weather

It’s important to check the weather before you head out for water activities. You should always check:

weather warnings for your activity area
weather conditions – will they affect your safety or comfort?
wind conditions and expected wind changes.

For marine waterways:

wave conditions and heights
times for high and low tide.

For inland waterways:

flood warnings issued for your activity area.

Weather information

The Bureau of Meteorology provides a forecast service, flood warnings and marine services for local waters, coastal waters and open ocean activities.

Going boating? Have a safe trip on the water with localised Bureau of Meteorology forecasts and warnings, safety notifications and facility information for 400+ launching locations.

This is available via:

the Boating Vic app
the Boating Vic website

UV alerts

You can check the UV index and find out what times sun protection is required during the day on the Sun Smart website.

Surf reports

Surfline provides surfcams and a daily analysis of upcoming surfing conditions for all popular surfing regions around Australia.

EPA beach report

In summer, EPA Victoria provides water quality forecasts for Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River. There are three forecast ratings:

Good – Forecast water quality is suitable for swimming.
Fair – Forecast water quality may not be suitable for swimming.
Poor – Forecast water quality is not suitable for swimming.

Swimming at a beach with poor water quality can cause sickness and infections. After rainfall, stormwater flows into the bay through drains and rivers. You should not swim near these areas for 24–48 hours after it has been raining. If you see pollution in the water or on the shoreline, call EPA’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 EPA VIC.

At the beach

Victoria’s most popular beaches are patrolled by lifesavers during the summer months, until the season ends at Easter. Information about patrolled beach locations, and times, is available on the Beachsafe website.

Remember, always swim between the red and yellow flags, and never swim alone.

Rip currents

Rips are the number one hazard on Australian beaches. On any given day, there are about 17,000 rips at beaches around Australia.

Can you spot a rip?

Life Saving Victoria and Surf Life Saving Australia and The Age produced an interactive resource aimed at educating people about rip currents, how to spot them and what to do if you are caught in one.

Surf Life Saving Australia also has range of educational videos available online about rip currents, including:

A range of multilingual resources about rips are also available on the Surf Life Saving Australia website.

Inland waterways

Inland waterways, including rivers, creeks, lakes and dams are great for water recreation, but it is important to remember they have many hidden dangers, such as submerged objects, debris and strong currents.

Royal Life Saving recommends the following four safety tips for rivers:

Wear a lifejacket.
Avoid alcohol around water.
Never swim alone.
Learn how to save a life.

Respect the River campaign

Did you know the Yarra River is the top third drowning black spot in Australia? Alcohol is a contributing factor to 80% of these cases. Alcohol impairs judgement, encourages greater risk taking behaviour, reduces coordination, impairs reaction time and reduces the effectiveness of CPR.

In association with Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Life Saving Victoria has produced six short videos outlining the hidden dangers of the Yarra River.

At home

Water is fun and enjoyable for children. However, it can also be a safety hazard to young children.

Never leave your child alone in the bath, or in the care of an older child.
If you have to leave the bathroom, take your child with you.
Always empty the bathtub, buckets and sinks immediately after use.

Home pools and spas

Home pools and spas are a real danger for young children and are required by law to have suitable safety barriers. Never take your eyes off children around water.

Always supervise children in and around the pool.
Ensure your pool/spa fence is compliant – check and maintain it regularly.
Never leave pool gates propped open.
Always empty inflatable pools and paddling pools immediately after use.
Ensure your children learn to swim.
Learn CPR and display a resuscitation chart on your pool fence.

More information and tips on keeping children safe around water is available on the Kidsafe Victoria website.

Rural properties

A ‘child safe play area’ can be used to restrict children’s access to water that you cannot fence on rural properties.

Fill in unused holes where water can gather.
Securely cover water storage such as wells and tanks.
Ensure all gates on your property are closed.

The Farm Safe website has instructions on setting up a child safe play area on farms.

Pool and spa barrier laws

Laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria on 1 December 2019. It is now mandatory for owners of land where a swimming pool or spa is located to register their pool or spa with the relevant council.

More information is available on the Victorian Building Authority website.

At public swimming pools

Parents supervise, lifeguards save lives.

Your local public pool is a great place for the whole family to swim and participate in water programs.

Lifeguards provide professional supervision for all pool users – parents/ carers still need to watch their own children around the water.
Children under five should be within arm’s reach at all times; children under 10 should always be in your sight.
Ensure your children learn to swim – enrol them in a swimming and water safety program at your local pool.

Water safety information is available on the Life Saving Victoria, Kidsafe Victoria and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria websites.

Safety for aquatic activities

Boating

Personal flotation devices must be worn at all times* on:

Powerboats up to and including 4.8m.
Off the beach yachts and paddle craft.

*When in an open area of a vessel, which is underway.

Boating is a great way to enjoy Victoria’s coastline, lakes and river systems.

Always wear your life jacket — you may not have time to put it on in an emergency.
Always tell family or friends where you are going and when you will be returning.
Always carry safety equipment aboard.
Run regular maintenance checks on your boat.

For more information about boating safety and legislation call 1800 223 022. Information is also available on the Maritime Safety Victoria website.

Children interested in learning to sail can enrol in an accredited junior sailing program. Further information is available on the Australian Sailing website.

Fishing

There are widespread fishing opportunities in Victoria, from freshwater lakes and rivers to saltwater fishing in bays, inlets and oceans.

Unless you are exempt, a fishing licence is required when taking, or attempting to take, any species of fish in Victoria.
Never fish alone.
Check water and weather conditions before you go.
Always tell family or friends where you are going and when you will be returning.

You can obtain a fishing licence, or find out more information, on the Victorian Fisheries Authority website.

Rock Fishing

Life jackets save lives.

If you are not properly prepared, rock fishing can be dangerous.

Always tell friends or family of your plans – where you are going and when you will be returning.
Seek out local advice on your intended fishing spot – tidal behaviour and accessibility.
Never fish alone. One person should watch the sea at all times as conditions can change dramatically in a short time.
Check water and weather conditions before you go.
Wear a personal flotation device and carry safety gear and a first-aid kit.
Don’t wear waders when rock or ledge fishing – wear light clothing that will allow you to swim easily if you are washed in.
Wear appropriate footwear with non-slip soles.
Observe first and fish later. Take time to judge your intended spot before fishing to get an idea of tidal and sea conditions plus access and escape routes.
Have an escape plan. If the swell threatens your position, leave immediately.
Always obey danger signs and never trust access and escape aids such as ropes and makeshift steps.
Never turn your back on the sea.

Rock fishing safety information is available on the Life Saving Victoria, VRFish, and Victorian Fisheries Authority websites.

Surfing and Body Boarding

Assess the conditions, including wave sets and rip currents.

Always surf or bodyboard with a mate.
Check and assess conditions before you head out in to the surf.
If you get in trouble, stay on your surfboard or bodyboard to stay afloat.
Ensure you surf outside the black and white quartered boarding flags at patrolled beaches.

Beginner surfers should start with a lesson from a Surfing Victoria affiliated surf school.

Snorkelling and Diving

Snorkelling and diving open up a whole new underwater world, but it is important to follow a few simple rules to stay safe.

Call the Divers Alert Network (DAN) 24-hour Diving Emergency Service 1800 088 200 if you have a medical emergency during or after a dive.
Always snorkel/dive with a buddy and stay with your buddy in the water.
Don’t snorkel or dive if you are feeling unwell.
Train with a recognised dive school.

More information is available of the Divers Alert Network (DAN) Asia-Pacific website.

Swimming

Ensure your children learn to swim by enrolling them in a swimming and water safety program.

Water safety skills are an integral part of lessons and help children to develop confidence and be comfortable around water.

There are many learn to swim programs offered throughout Victoria. Lessons are available through:

School programs
Your local aquatic centre or swim school.

Most pools run classes for adults too – it’s never too late to learn!

e-water safety for kids

Swim City is an e-water safety module for kids, developed by Life Saving Victoria in partnership with the Department of Education and Training.

Water safety for toddlers

20 seconds is all it takes. Always keep your eyes on children around water.

Water safety for older Victorians

Never overestimate your abilities. Never underestimate the risks around water.

Men at risk of drowning

Males are overrepresented in drowning statistics and are four times more likely to drown than females.

Water safety programs

Find out about National and Victorian water safety programs.

Drowning statistics

Life Saving Victoria publishes information and statistics about the people who drowned in Victorian waterways each year.

Water safety - Translated information

Translated information about water safety in Victoria for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

About Play it Safe by the Water

Play it Safe by the Water 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.

Play it Safe by the Water committee agencies

Aquatics & Recreation Victoria

Australian Sailing

AUSTSWIM

Belgravia Leisure

Boating Industry Association of Victoria

Department of Justice and Community Safety

Dragon Boat Victoria

Kidsafe Victoria

Kiteboarding Australia

Life Saving Victoria

Maritime Safety Victoria

Victorian Fisheries Authority

VR Fish

YMCA Victoria

Safety & emergencies

Updated 8 March 2023

What’s next

Victorian Water Safety Strategy 2021-25

Encouraging more Victorians to safely participate and enjoy recreation in and around water, while reducing the number of drownings and water‑related injuries to zero.

Read the strategy

Economic Growth Statement