The number of toddlers drowning in Australia has increased alarmingly, with the backyard pool the most likely place they will die.
The Royal Life Saving Society's annual report, released on Tuesday, found 26 children aged under five died in 2014/2015 - up from 20 the previous year.
In total 271 people drowned in Australian waterways, an increase of five over the previous year but a six per cent reduction on the 10-year average of 288.
Royal Life Saving's CEO Justin Scarr described the increase in child deaths as alarming.
"Supervision is a key factor, and often it is either intermittent or absent altogether," he said.
"Home swimming pools continue to be the leading location for drowning in young children."
Another concern was the high number of people drowning in rivers, lakes and dams, which counted for more than a third of all deaths, Mr Scarr said.
Royal Life Saving was implementing programs at the nation's top 10 river drowning black spots, including the Murray River.
"Each and every case in this report represents a very personal story that will have caused great sorrow for families, friends and communities," he said.
