Summer in Australia means pools, beaches and backyard splash sessions. For young children, water is one of the most exciting parts of the season.
It's also one of the biggest risks they face. The habits your child learns around water now, with your support, will help keep them safe at home, on holidays and as they grow into big school and beyond. Here's how to get started.
Why Under-5s Need Extra Care Around Water
Young children move fast, love to explore and don't yet understand danger. Water draws them in, but they can't judge when it's unsafe.
Drowning can happen quickly and silently, even in a few centimetres of water. There's usually no splashing or calling for help.
In its 2026 National Drowning Report, Royal Life Saving found 11 children under five drowned in Australia in 2025/26. That's 39% below the 10-year average. But more than half of those deaths (55%) happened in backyard swimming pools.
Most of these tragedies happen close to home, and most can be prevented with the right habits.
Water Safety Tips for Busy Families
Keep your child within arm's reach
Active supervision is the single most important thing you can do. Royal Life Saving describes it as giving your child your full attention whenever they're in, on or near water.
Stay close enough to reach out and grab them, and be ready to get in the water if needed. Busy family life means phones, chores and conversations compete for your attention. If you need to step away, take your child with you.
Older siblings shouldn't be put in charge of a toddler around water. This is always a job for an adult.
Give your pool fence a pre-summer check
A pool fence is your back-up if supervision slips. Before the season starts, check that:
- The gate closes and latches by itself every time
- Nothing is propping the gate open
- There are no gaps, broken panels or loose palings
- Chairs, pot plants, toys and barbecues aren't close enough to climb
Stay inside the fence with your child when they're in the pool area. Kidsafe has a pool safety checklist to help. Fencing rules vary between states and territories, so check with your local council if you're unsure.
Treat paddling pools like real pools
Inflatable and portable pools are easy to forget about. Under state and territory laws, pools that can hold more than 30cm of water generally need a compliant safety fence, just like a permanent pool.
Empty smaller paddling pools straight after use and store them where they can't collect rainwater.
Watch out for everyday water hazards
Plenty of everyday items around the home can hold enough water to be dangerous. Keep an eye on:
- Baths and sinks (empty them straight after use)
- Buckets and nappy buckets (lids on, out of reach)
- Ponds, water features and birdbaths
- Water tanks
- Pet water bowls
Raising Children Network recommends supervising children in the bath until around five years old, even if older siblings are there too.
Have a plan for parties and holidays
Barbecues, Christmas gatherings and trips away are part of the fun of summer. But with lots of people around, everyone can assume someone else is watching the kids.
Choose one adult to be the designated water watcher and take turns in shifts. Make each handover clear so there's never a gap.
When you arrive somewhere new, check for water hazards straight away. Holiday houses, caravan parks and family homes might have pools, spas or dams you're not used to.
If your child goes missing, check nearby water first.
Swimming lessons build confidence, but supervision comes first
Swimming lessons are a great way to build water confidence. Classes for babies and toddlers (around 6 to 36 months) focus on basics like moving in the water, getting their face wet and blowing bubbles. Water confidence classes for three to five year olds take these skills further.
Starting early helps children feel at home in the water. But even a child who can swim can still drown, so lessons never replace supervision.
Help with the cost of lessons
Some state governments help families with the cost of swimming lessons. At the time of writing:
- Queensland: The Play On! Learn to Swim program offers vouchers of up to $150 for eligiable families with children aged 0 to 4.
- Victoria: The VICSWIM Summer Kidz program runs low-cost lessons each January for children aged four and up.
Programs and eligibility change often, so check the official page before you book. Your local swim school or council pool can tell you which vouchers they accept.
Learn CPR
If a child is in or near water and isn't breathing or responding, call Triple Zero (000) and start CPR straight away.
Royal Life Saving, St John Ambulance and Australian Red Cross all run CPR courses. Refreshing your skills regularly helps you stay ready.
Practise simple water rules together
Children can start learning simple water rules from a young age. Try:
- "We only go near water with a grown-up."
- "We walk, not run, around the pool."
- "We wait for a grown-up before we get in."
Learning and following safety rules also helps children practise skills they'll use at big school, like listening, following instructions and waiting their turn.
Building Confidence Through Play at Kids Academy
Water play is a valuable part of early learning. Pouring, measuring and experimenting with water builds early maths and science thinking, coordination and problem-solving skills that support school readiness.
Learning to manage challenges safely is also a big part of growing up. Our post on why risky play matters for physical confidence and school readiness explains how supported challenges help children grow.
For more summer tips, our guide to making sun safety easy for busy families is a great companion read.
Have questions about water play or summer routines at your centre? Have a chat with your child's educators. We're always happy to help.