The Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) is deeply committed to drowning prevention in Australia and is a collective voice for Australia’s leading water safety organisations.

The AWSC was officially formed in February 1998 as a result of strong industry consultation and Federal Government support. It acts as a consultative forum comprising the major water safety and related government agencies and focuses on the presentation of key water safety issues to governments, industry and the community.

The AWSC does not represent an additional layer of organisational bureaucracy and does not receive funding directly. It provides a collective voice for its member organisations and liaises closely with kindred bodies at State, National & International levels.

The AWSC is committed to improving water safety in Australia as demonstrated through the production and implementation of five National Water Safety Plans/Strategies. These documents have generated bipartisan support for water safety in Australia and resulted in improved water safety throughout the country. 

The AWSC member bodies continue to demonstrate their commitment to water safety by directing resources of their respective organisations towards the development and implementation of the Australian Water Safety Strategy.

• Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA)
  
• Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) 
  
• Australasian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety (AUSTSWIM)
  
• Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA)
  
• Australian National Sports Fishing Association (ANSFA)
  
• Australian and New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG)
  
• Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (ASCTA)
  
• Australasian Diving Safety Foundation (ADSF)
  
• Farmsafe Australia
  
• Surfing Australia
  
• Swimming Australia
  
• The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (Kidsafe)
• Government Observers: Department of Health and Bureau of Meteorology

This website has been designed to share activities, ideas and learnings. We invite you to explore the content and connect with other organisations who are working to reduce drowning and build water safe communities.

Please share your actions by completing the ‘Add your action’ template and take the time to discover how other organisations are working with the AWSC to achieve the goals of the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030.