Key facts:

• 315 people drowned in Australia between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011.

• 241 (77%) were male and 71 (23%) female. Sex was unknown in three cases.

• 107 (34%) drowning deaths occurred in NSW, 93 (30%) in Queensland.

• 38 (12%) people drowned in the Queensland floods throughout December and January.

• 114 (36%) drowning deaths occurred in River / Creek / Stream locations.

• 16% (50) of drowning deaths occurred while Swimming and Recreating in water.

• 15% (47) of drowning deaths occurred as a result of Falling or Wandering into water.

• Drowning deaths occurred all year round with 129 (41%) occurring in Summer. There were 2 cases where season of drowning death was unknown.