Crocodile Attack Statistics in Australia

Updated

At a Glance

  • 11 people died in crocodile attacks in Australia between 2015 and 2024, and every death involved a saltwater crocodile.1
  • 3 people died in 2024, making it the deadliest year since 2017, which also recorded 3 deaths.2
  • The Northern Territory recorded the most attacks (30), while Queensland recorded the most deaths (7).1
  • Freshwater crocodiles were involved in 17 attacks over the same period, none of them fatal.1

How Common Are Crocodile Attacks in Australia?

Crocodile attacks are rare in Australia, but they have become more frequent in recent years.

  • Between 2015 and 2024, Australia recorded between 3 and 16 crocodile attacks a year.3
  • The busiest years were 2023, with 16 attacks, and 2021, with 12.3

How Many Crocodile Attacks Per Year Are Reported in Australia?

Crocodiles attacked 7 people in Australia in 2024.3

  • Before the pandemic, attacks peaked at 8 in 2017.3
  • Attacks rose 66.7%, from 3 in 2018 to 5 in 2019.3 In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, they fell 40.0% to 3.
  • Attacks climbed to 12 in 2021.3 They then fell 41.7% to 7 in 2022.
  • Attacks reached their highest level of the decade in 2023, with 16, before falling 56.3% to 7 in 2024.3

Latest available: 2024. There is no complete national count for 2025 yet; attacks reported since then are listed under Recent Crocodile Attacks in Australia (2025–2026) below.

Annual Crocodile Attacks in AustraliaReported attacks per year, 2015–2024CrocBITE worldwide crocodilian attack database51015207683531271672015201620172018201920202021202220232024YearReported attacks
Reported crocodile attacks in Australia by year.

How Many People Die from Crocodile Attacks Each Year?

1 person died from a crocodile attack in Australia in 2025:2 a 60-year-old man who went missing on a fishing trip near Aurukun, Queensland.4 On average, crocodiles kill about one person a year in Australia: 11 people died between 2015 and 2024, and no year recorded more than 3 deaths.2 The 2024 toll of 3 deaths was the highest since 2017.

  • In 2017, 8 crocodile attacks3 killed 3 people2, the same toll as in 2024, when there were fewer attacks.
  • Deaths fell to 1 in 2018 and 0 in 2019.2 There were also no deaths in 2020 or 2022, and 1 each in 2016 and 2021.
  • Deaths rose again to 2 in 2023, then climbed another 50.0% in 2024.2
Outcome of Crocodile Attacks in AustraliaFatal and non-fatal attacks per year, 2015–2024Non-fatalFatalCrocBITE worldwide crocodilian attack database51015202015201620172018201920202021202220232024YearAttacks
Fatal and non-fatal crocodile attacks in Australia each year.

Recent Crocodile Attacks in Australia (2025–2026)

At least seven crocodile attacks on people have been reported in Australia since the start of 2025, and one was fatal.

  • Aurukun, Queensland (January 2025):5 a 60-year-old man failed to return from a fishing trip, and his remains were found inside a crocodile in the Watson River.4
  • Cape Tribulation, Queensland (October 2025): a 14-year-old boy fishing at Myall Beach was mauled and flown to Cairns Hospital.6
  • Ingham, Queensland (January 2026): a man in his 20s suffered puncture wounds to his back, legs and hand near Palm Creek.7
  • Kimberley, Western Australia (January–May 2026): crocodiles injured a hunter near La Djardarr Bay8, a man at a beach camping spot north of Broome9, and a fisherman standing in Barred Creek.10
  • Lake Argyle, Western Australia (May 2026): a suspected freshwater crocodile bit four people, including a man swimming from a houseboat.11

These incidents are not included in the 2015–2024 figures above.

Crocodile Attacks by State: NT, Queensland and WA

The Northern Territory had the most crocodile attacks between 2015 and 2024, with 30 attacks and 3 deaths.1

  • Queensland was close behind with 28 attacks but had the most deaths (7) of any state or territory.1
  • Western Australia recorded 16 attacks and one death1. No attacks were recorded in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania or the Australian Capital Territory over the same period.

Latest available: state totals for 2015–2024. Attacks since then are listed under Recent Crocodile Attacks in Australia (2025–2026) above.

Crocodile Attacks by State in Australia (2015–2024)Total reported attacks by state or territoryCrocBITE worldwide crocodilian attack databaseNorthern Territory30Queensland28Western Australia16Reported attacks
Crocodile attacks by Australian state or territory.

Saltwater vs Freshwater Crocodile Attacks

Which Crocodile Species Is Responsible for Most Attacks in Australia?

Saltwater crocodiles were responsible for 57 attacks and all 11 fatalities in Australia between 2015 and 2024.1 They are large, territorial ambush predators found across the tropical north.

  • Freshwater crocodiles caused 17 attacks in the same period, and none were fatal1. They can still bite when provoked, but they are far less dangerous.

Latest available: species totals for 2015–2024. Attacks since then are listed under Recent Crocodile Attacks in Australia (2025–2026) above.

Attacks by Type of CrocodileReported attacks in Australia by species, 2015–2024CrocBITE worldwide crocodilian attack databaseSaltwater crocodile · 77%Freshwater crocodile · 23%74attacks
Crocodile attacks in Australia by species (saltwater versus freshwater).

One well-documented kayak attack took place in Australia between 2015 and 2024. In 2016, a saltwater crocodile lunged at a solo kayaker in open water near Townshend Island, Queensland.12

  • The kayaker was not hurt, but the crocodile hit the kayak hard12. He paddled his damaged kayak about three kilometres to Townshend Island, where bad weather stranded him for four days until he set off his emergency beacon and was rescued.

What Happened in the 1933 Alligator Creek Crocodile Attack?

In March 1933, sisters Mary Adams (10) and Thelma Adams (6) were riding double on a horse to school when a crocodile attacked them as they crossed Alligator Creek near Mackay, Queensland. Both girls died.13

  • The crocodile took Mary. Eight days later, her remains were found inside a crocodile caught in Alligator Creek at Pindi Pindi.13
  • Thelma's body was recovered the next day. Newspapers at the time reported that she was thrown from the horse and drowned.14

Who Is Most at Risk? Crocodile Attack Victims by Age and Gender

Deaths by Age

Of the 11 people killed by crocodiles between 2015 and 2024, adults aged 40–49 were the largest ten-year age group, with 3 deaths.15 People aged 60 and over also account for 3 deaths, two in their 60s and one in their 70s. Published reports give the ages of 9 of the 11 victims.2

  • Adults aged 40–49 (3 deaths): a 46-year-old woman at Thornton Beach in 201616, a 47-year-old man at Cahill's Crossing in Kakadu in 201717, and a 40-year-old man in the Annan River near Cooktown in 2024.15
  • Young people aged 10–19 (2 deaths, both in 2024): a 16-year-old boy off Saibai Island18 and a 12-year-old girl near Palumpa in the Northern Territory.19
  • Adults aged 30–39 (1 death): a 35-year-old spearfisherman taken off Palmer Point near Innisfail, Queensland, in March 201720.
  • People aged 60 and over (3 deaths): a 69-year-old man at Hinchinbrook Island in 202121, a 65-year-old man on the Kennedy River in 202322, and a 79-year-old woman near Port Douglas in 2017.23
  • No victim with a reported age was under 10, in their 20s or in their 50s.
  • The ages of 2 victims, an Aboriginal ranger in Arnhem Land24 and an Indonesian fisherman, were not published.25
Crocodile attack deaths in Australia by age, 2015–2024
Age groupDeaths
0–90
10–192
20–290
30–391
40–493
50–590
60–692
70+1
Not reported2

Deaths by Gender

Men and boys accounted for 7 of the 11 deaths (63.6%).3

  • Women and girls accounted for the other 4 (36.4%).3

Latest available: the age and gender figures cover deaths from 2015 to 2024. The one death recorded in 2025 is not included.

Crocodile attack deaths in Australia by gender, 2015–2024
GenderDeaths
Male73
Female43

More Australian Safety Statistics

Notable Incidents and Survivors

Have There Been Attacks at Australia Zoo?

  • The best-known close call came in 2022, when Casper, a saltwater crocodile Robert Irwin was training for the zoo's Crocoseum show, lunged at him during a feed filmed for Crikey! It's the Irwins. Irwin ran to safety.26
  • A 2014 incident in which a handler was bitten and dragged into the water during a feeding show is sometimes linked to Australia Zoo, but it happened at Shoalhaven Zoo in Nowra, New South Wales.27

Who Are Some Known Crocodile Attack Survivors?

  • In 2023, Colin Deveraux escaped a crocodile by biting its eyelid.28
  • Also in 2023, Marcus McGowan was snorkelling when a crocodile bit his head.29 He broke free and swam to safety.30
  • In 2017, Lee de Paauw was attacked after jumping into crocodile-infested water on a dare. He survived by punching the crocodile until it let go.31
  • One of the best-known survivors is Val Plumwood, who was attacked while canoeing in Kakadu National Park in 1985 and lived despite being dragged underwater several times.32

What Increases the Risk of a Crocodile Attack?

Crocodile attacks are often linked to what people do and the conditions they do it in, especially when people:

  • Swim or wade in known crocodile habitats, especially at dawn, dusk or night33
  • Take small boats into remote waterways without due care
  • Ignore warning signs or local advice
  • Drink alcohol: a review of Australian attacks found almost one in three victims were drunk at the time34

How to Stay Safe in Crocodile Country

Queensland and Northern Territory government advice for travelling in crocodile country comes down to keeping your distance from the water, especially when camping or fishing.

  • Camp at least 50 metres from the water's edge, away from spots where animals come down to drink.35
  • Stay out of the water. A crocodile can approach even if you are only in shallow water for a short time.36
  • Stand at least 5 metres back from the water when fishing, and never stand on logs or branches hanging over it.37
  • Prepare food and wash dishes away from the water, not near the water's edge or on sloping banks.38
  • Don't leave food scraps, fish waste or bait near water, campsites or boat ramps, as they attract crocodiles.36
  • Take extra care at dawn, dusk and night, when crocodiles are hardest to see.36
  • Obey crocodile warning signs.39

FAQs

Do crocodile attacks happen in New South Wales, Victoria or other southern states?

No. Between 2015 and 2024, every recorded crocodile attack in Australia happened in the Northern Territory, Queensland or Western Australia. None were reported in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania or the Australian Capital Territory1, so the risk is concentrated in the tropical north.

What are the chances of surviving a crocodile attack in Australia?

Most people survive. Of the attacks recorded between 2015 and 2024, 11 were fatal, and all of those involved saltwater crocodiles.1 Freshwater crocodiles were involved in 17 attacks over the same period, with no deaths.

Are fatal crocodile attacks becoming more common in Australia?

Deaths remain rare, but the most recent years have been among the deadliest of the decade. After no deaths in 2020 and 2022 and one in 2021, 2 people died in 2023 and 3 in 2024, level with 2017 as the highest yearly toll since 2015.2

How many crocodiles are there in Australia?

The Northern Territory Government estimates there are more than 100,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Territory.40 Queensland's 2016–2019 statewide survey put its population at 20,000–30,000 estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles, not counting hatchlings.41

Do crocodiles kill more people than sharks in Australia?

No. Between 2015 and 2024, the Australian Shark Incident Database recorded 24 fatal shark bites in Australia42, more than double the 11 deaths from crocodile attacks over the same period.2

Campervan Hire in Australia

References

  1. CrocAttack — 2015–2024 attack statistics · crocattack.org ↑ b c d e f g h i j
  2. Fatal Saltwater Crocodile Attacks in Australia (1969–present) · crocattack.org ↑ b c d e f g h i
  3. CrocBITE — Worldwide Crocodilian Attack Database · crocattack.org ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l
  4. Human remains found in crocodile at Aurukun in Cape York · abc.net.au ↑ b
  5. Crocodile attacks · qld.gov.au ↑
  6. Crocodile mauls boy, 14, at Cape Tribulation beach · abc.net.au ↑
  7. Man in his 20s attacked by crocodile near Ingham in north Queensland · abc.net.au ↑
  8. Crocodile attack in WA's Kimberley region prompts calls for more awareness · abc.net.au ↑
  9. Man attacked by 'large crocodile' at camping spot in Western Australia's north · abc.net.au ↑
  10. Saltwater crocodile injures man at Barred Creek, north of Broome · abc.net.au ↑
  11. 400 swimmers compete in Lake Argyle Swim despite crocodile bite a day earlier · abc.net.au ↑
  12. Kayaker stranded on island after crocodile attack rescued off Queensland coast · abc.net.au ↑ b
  13. GIRL'S DEATH. Eaten By Crocodile. MONSTER CAPTURED. (Sydney Morning Herald, 18 March 1933) · The Sydney Morning Herald ↑ b
  14. WAS CHILD EATEN BY CROCODILE? Tragic Death Of Two Little Girls (The Advertiser, 18 March 1933) · The Sydney Morning Herald ↑
  15. Crocodile attack victim identified as Newcastle doctor David Hogbin · abc.net.au ↑ b
  16. Cindy Waldron feared dead in crocodile attack in far north Queensland · abc.net.au ↑
  17. Man dead in suspected crocodile attack after 'foolishly' entering Cahill's Crossing in Kakadu · abc.net.au ↑
  18. Update: Saibai Island crocodile incident · detsi.qld.gov.au ↑
  19. Human remains found of missing girl, 12, taken by crocodile in remote NT creek · abc.net.au ↑
  20. Crocodile captured that killed spear fisherman Warren Hughes in far north Queensland · abc.net.au ↑
  21. Human remains found in north Queensland believed to be missing fisherman Andrew Heard, crocodile euthanised · abc.net.au ↑
  22. Man moves across Australia to open mate's pub after he was eaten by crocodile · au.news.yahoo.com ↑
  23. Human remains found in 4.3-metre crocodile involved in death of elderly woman · abc.net.au ↑
  24. Police recover body of Aboriginal ranger taken by crocodile in Arnhem Land community · abc.net.au ↑
  25. Australian Border Force using threat of crocodile attacks to deter illegal fishers from the Kimberley · abc.net.au ↑
  26. Robert Irwin shares video of close call with croc during 'intense' feed · yahoo.com ↑
  27. Crocodile handler dragged into water during feeding show at Shoalhaven Zoo · abc.net.au ↑
  28. Cattle producer Colin Deveraux survives crocodile attack after biting back · abc.net.au ↑
  29. Man in stable condition after crocodile attack off exclusive Queensland resort · abc.net.au ↑
  30. ‘Wrong place, wrong time’: diver whose head was in croc’s jaws · divernet.com ↑
  31. Crocodile bites teenager ‘dared’ to jump into Queensland river · abc.net.au ↑
  32. Val Plumwood canoe · nma.gov.au ↑
  33. Snappy facts: everything you wanted to know about crocodiles in Queensland · detsi.qld.gov.au ↑
  34. Crocs, alcohol a lethal cocktail · abc.net.au ↑
  35. Crocodiles and me – Be crocwise · Northern Territory Government ↑
  36. Be Crocwise top tips · qld.gov.au ↑ b c
  37. Fishing in crocodile habitat areas · qld.gov.au ↑
  38. Stay safe while camping – Be crocwise · Northern Territory Government ↑
  39. Camping in crocodile habitat areas · qld.gov.au ↑
  40. Saltwater crocodiles – Be crocwise · Northern Territory Government ↑
  41. Queensland Estuarine Crocodile Monitoring Program 2016–2019 Key Findings Report · Queensland Government ↑
  42. Australian Shark Incident Database annual summary 2025 · taronga.org.au ↑
  43. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) · aihw.gov.au
  1. Camper Champ
    2. >
  2. Australia
    3. >
  3. Crocodile Attack Statistics in Australia
Get in touch
Info
Car Rental
Resources

Camper Champ © 2026 All rights reserved.