The number of child drownings in the past financial year was Australia's lowest annual toll in a quarter of a century, according to a new report which nevertheless urges parents not to become complacent.
The Royal Life Saving Australia report, released on Wednesday, reveals 965 children under the age of five drowned in Australia over the past 25 years.
The number of child drownings peaked in 1995/96 and 1996/97 with 68 deaths in both years but numbers have slowly been declining as a result of swimming pool fencing legislation and adult supervision campaigns, report author Amy Peden told AAP.
In 2017/18, the toll reached its lowest number in 25 years, with 18 child drownings reported nationally.
"It shows you the good achievements we've made," Ms Peden said.
"Obviously, 18 is still too many but it's horrific to think of how high it used to be,"
One major catalyst for the reduction was the changing of legislation in 2010 to require exclusion fences to be installed around new pools across most Australian states and territories.
The laws were later changed to apply to all swimming pools - at residential buildings, movable dwellings, hotels and motels.
Adult supervision is also crucial with Ms Peden urging parents and carers to keep watch of kids around water given 52 per cent of child drownings happened in swimming pools in the past 16 years.
The research revealed accidental falls were the main reason for child drownings in the past 16 years, accounting for 77 per cent of all deaths.
During that period boys accounted for 61 per cent of all child drownings.
Royal Life Saving Society Australia chief executive Justin Scarr says drownings are often quick and silent.
He's warned parents and carers that the smallest distraction could have tragic consequences.
"Browsing social media on your phone, attending to another child or ducking inside to grab something can have tragic consequences if a toddler is left unattended by water," Mr Scarr said in a statement.
"It can only take a few moments for a child to slip away unnoticed, fall into the water and drown."
