2026 National Water Safety Summit
23 & 24 July
Aerial Function Centre
University of Technology Sydney
The 2026 National Water Safety Summit brings together people from across all areas of the Australian water safety community to connect, collaborate, and advance collective action aligned with the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030. Join this important event as the sector builds on the momentum of the 2025 Summit and activates priority actions identified in the Midpoint Update to the National Strategy.
The Summit will feature a variety of presentations and workshops with over 200 delegates from across the nation including policy makers, lifesavers and lifeguards, swimming and water safety instructors, researchers, medical professionals, lifesaving agencies, and other drowning prevention stakeholders.
The 2026 Summit will also form part of Australian plans to commemorate 2026 World Drowning Prevention Day.
See below for important details on sponsorship opportunities, registration, event logistics, the program, and submitting a presentation abstract.
This webpage will be updated frequently with details as they become available.
Welcome to the 2026 National Water Safety Summit!
Summit Sponsorship
The 2026 National Water Safety Summit is an initiative of the Australian Water Safety Council, presented by Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia. To help keep registration accessible and support delivery of the Summit, a range of sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple contribution levels. Please click below to view the Sponsorship Package.
Registration
Early Registration Pricing: 2 March 2026 - 5 June 2026
Two Day Registration - $445
One Day Registration - $275
Student Two Day Registration - $300
Student One Day Registration - $200
Late Registration Pricing: 6 June 2026 - 22 July 2026*
Two Day Registration - $495
One Day Registration - $315
Student Two Day Registration - $325
Student One Day Registration - $225
*Pending venue capacity limits
Logistics
Dates and Times
Day 1 - Thursday, July 23rd, 2026
8:00 AM - Arrival and Registration
9:00 AM - Day 1 Program Start
5:00 PM - Networking Social (Ends approximately 6:30 PM)
Day 2 - Friday, July 24th, 2026
9:00 AM - Day 2 Program Start
5:00 PM - Day 2 Program Close
Location
Aerial Function Centre, University of Technology Sydney
Building 10, Level 7/235 Jones St, Ultimo NSW 2007
(Click Here for Google Maps)
Travel
The Aerial Function Centre is a short 10-minute walk from Central Station. Those arriving to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) can take the T8 line from the Domestic Terminal to Central Station (~$20) and walk to the venue, or a 20-30 minute taxi or ride share, price depending.
Accommodation
There are multiple accommodation options within walking distance to the venue.
The Four Points by Sheraton Sydney Central Park has arranged a special booking rate for National Water Safety Summit attendees. Click below to access the direct booking link.
Parking
Paid parking is available on-site at the Interpark UTS Car Park. Enter from Thomas St (travelling west) and a lift to the function centre is accessible from the carpark.
Limited metered street parking is available on Thomas Street.
Disability Access
Aerial is a disability accessible venue, with lifts, ramps and an accessible bathroom on site. A hearing induction loop is also available on request.
Program and Abstract Submission
The 2026 National Water Safety Summit will feature a variety of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshop sessions covering a broad range of water safety and drowning prevention topics. The Summit program will have a particular focus on activating the Midpoint Update to the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 (AWSS2030), providing a collaborative environment to share progress and discuss, debate, and advance thinking in how we achieve the things that matter most for reducing the burden of drowning across the nation.
Submit an Abstract to Present at the Summit - Opens March 2nd
We encourage abstract submissions related to all water safety issues, and especially those related to the Strategy’s National Imperatives and Focus Areas - see the AWSS 2030 Midpoint Snapshot. The Abstract Submission Portal will open March 2nd with additional information and submission guidelines.
Share your thoughts
If you have ideas for plenary sessions, workshops, or anything else that would make the 2026 Summit Program shine, please let us know here.
Important Dates
March 2nd, 2026 - Abstract Submission Opens
May 8th, 2026 - Abstract Submission Deadline
May 15th, 2026 - Notification of Abstract Outcomes
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 Midpoint Update Snapshot
World Drowning Prevention Day
In April 2021, the United Nations adopted the historic first Resolution on Global Drowning Prevention, calling for coordinated action to prevent drowning and marking the 25 July as World Drowning Prevention Day. The 2026 National Water Safety Summit forms part of Australian plans to commemorate 2026 World Drowning Prevention Day.
More than 300,000 people lose their lives to drowning every year. Drowning predominately impacts children and young people, with more than nine in 10 deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries, highlighting that vulnerable communities are most at risk.
World Drowning Prevention Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of drowning prevention and to reduce preventable deaths.
