Victoria Pilot Puts Multicultural Communities at the Heart of Water Safety Push
Life Saving Victoria has launched a targeted water safety pilot with the backing of Knox City Council, aiming to protect culturally diverse residents, older Victorians and people living with disability from the growing risk of drowning.
New pilot to save lives
Through a Knox City Council Community Development Fund grant, Life Saving Victoria is delivering water safety education sessions at local pools, beaches and in classroom settings for around 500 community members identified as being at higher risk.
The pilot focuses on people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, residents aged 65 and over, and people with disability, offering practical skills and critical safety knowledge before they get into the water.
Drowning data driving action
Recent national data shows one third of drowning deaths in Australia this year involved people aged 65 and over, while another third were people from CALD backgrounds.
In Victoria alone, people born overseas accounted for 21 of 54 drowning deaths in the 2024–25 period, representing 39% of all drownings in the state.
Barriers for new arrivals
Older Victorians at higher risk
The program also targets Victorians aged 65-plus, with an ageing population visiting waterways more frequently and sometimes overestimating their abilities while underestimating changing conditions.
Health issues, reduced mobility and the risk of unexpected falls into water further increase danger for older people in and around aquatic environments.
Ongoing community collaboration
Life Saving Victoria plans to continue working with Knox City Council and other local partners to maintain and grow water safety education after the pilot concludes. The program is designed as a long-term investment in community resilience, building culturally responsive safety education that reflects the diversity of Victoria’s population.
English