According to the Royal Life Saving Society's national report, released on Monday, more Australians are drowning as the country faces record high temperatures.
There were 276 drowning deaths in 2018-19, a 10 per cent increase from the previous financial year.
Over the three summer months alone there were 123 drowning deaths, a 17 per cent increase compared to the 10-year average.
Surf life savers warn risky behaviour around waterways and poor swimming ability continue to impact drowning rates.
