4/3/26 Water Safety Challenges for Multicultural Victorians Highlighted in New Study

4/3/26

Lack of familiarity with the red and yellow flags, dangers of swimming at unpatrolled beaches and the need to check conditions before going in the water are among a range of barriers people from Vietnamese and Indian backgrounds in Victoria face to staying safe in the water. 

Deakin University’s School of Health and Social Development has collaborated with Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and Royal Life Saving Australia to conduct research into factors contributing to poor water safety outcomes for people from Vietnam and India living in Victoria. 

Multicultural Victorians and visitors are overrepresented in drowning incidents across the state and the nation. Roughly a third (31 per cent) of all fatal drownings in Victoria this financial year have involved people from multicultural backgrounds. Significantly, fatal drowning in multicultural communities impact not only those who are newer arrivals, but also people who have lived in Victoria for an average of 20 years.   

The study, which involved in-depth interviews with 12 participants from India and Vietnam, found participants did not always recognise that red and yellow flags marked out safe places to swim, or that waterways without flags were potentially dangerous as these practices were not in place in their home countries. 

Language barriers and differences in what is understood as ‘swimming’, also meant the traditional Australian message of “swim between the flags” did not reach these people and communities effectively.  

Targeted water safety education and learning opportunities that took a whole-of-family approach were found to help reduce these risks, with the participants exposed to such programs having better understanding of the red and yellow flags, rip currents and water safety messages.  

Deakin University Honours student Lian Low, who led the research, said the findings pointed to a range of challenges, and solutions, for water safety in Victoria. 

“As a migrant who learned to swim as an adult, undertaking this research was poignant. By working with and listening to Victoria’s multicultural communities, water safety initiatives can be more inclusive, relevant and effective,” she said. 

LSV Manager – Research and Evaluation Dr Hannah Graefe said the study findings demonstrated the need for water safety education that caters to the needs of multicultural Victorians. 

“This research highlights why culturally informed, family-centred approaches to water safety are essential if we want our prevention messages to truly reach and protect everyone in our community,” Dr. Graefe said. 

To read the full article, click here. 

To learn more about Life Saving Victoria’s targeted swimming and water safety programs for multicultural communities, click here. 

For further information contact the LSV Media team: media@lsv.com.au / 03 9676 6970.