National Water Safety
The Australian Water Safety Council
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.
Member Organisations
Since 1998, the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) has produced National Water Safety Plans and Strategies to guide the activities of the Australian water safety community and work towards a reduction of drowning deaths.
The new Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 was launched by the Hon Mark Coulton, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government on behalf of Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Minister for Sport in conjunction with the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) at Parliament House, Canberra on Thursday 25 March 2021.
The Australian Water Safety Strategy (AWSS) plays an essential role in National, State and Territory, and community approaches to preventing drowning and promoting safe use of the nation’s waterways and swimming pools. It outlines priority areas where Australia’s peak water safety bodies Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving, and AWSC Members can work together to prevent drowning on beaches, at rivers and lakes, and in swimming pools across Australia.