Shark Attack Statistics in Australia

At a glance

• Australia recorded 25 shark incidents in 2025, up from 19 in 2024.¹
• Five people died from shark attacks in 2025, compared with one in 2024.¹
• New South Wales had the most attacks in 2025 (10, including 2 fatal), followed by Western Australia (8).¹
• Great white sharks caused the most attacks (8) and the most deaths (3) in 2025.¹
• From 2015 to 2025, 221 attacks were unprovoked and 77 were provoked.¹

Shark attacks are rare in Australia, despite the country's reputation for dangerous marine life.

• From 2015 to 2025, Australia recorded between 19 and 37 shark incidents a year.¹
• 2020 recorded the highest number of attacks (37), while 2024 saw the lowest number (19).¹
• Most incidents involved great white sharks, wobbegongs and bull sharks, and occurred in NSW, WA and QLD.¹

Five people died from shark attacks in Australia in 2025, compared to one fatality in 2024.¹

• In 2020, there were 37 shark attacks, resulting in 8 fatalities – the highest annual death toll since 1929.¹
• Fatalities dropped to just 1 fatality in 2018 and zero fatalities in 2019.¹ One death was recorded in both 2022 and 2024, while 4 fatalities were reported in 2021.
• The number of deaths rose to 4 in 2023 and dropped to 1 in 2024, before rising to 5 in 2025.¹

Which shark species is responsible for most attacks in Australia in 2025?

• Great white sharks were responsible for the most attacks and the most deaths in Australia in 2025, contributing to 3 of the year's 5 fatalities from their 8 recorded attacks.¹ These large predators are known for their ambush tactics, especially in the cooler waters of southern Australia.
• Bull sharks accounted for 6 incidents, including 2 fatalities¹, particularly in estuaries and harbours along Australia's east coast. They are known to tolerate brackish water and can swim far upriver.
• Wobbegongs were involved in 4 non-fatal incidents, while whaler and bronze whaler sharks accounted for 2 incidents each.¹ Tiger sharks and blacktip reef sharks were each linked to 1 attack.
• There was also 1 shark attack where the species responsible could not be confirmed.¹

Several kayak-related shark incidents have been recorded in Australia. These encounters typically involve sharks striking watercraft rather than the paddlers.

• In 2017, a 15-year-old girl in South Australia was thrown from her kayak by a great white shark that hit from below.¹ She was rescued unharmed.
• In 2018, a tiger shark bit a kayak off Moffat Beach on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.¹ The kayaker was not injured.
• No fatal shark attacks on kayakers occurred in Australia during this period¹, though these incidents are tracked for safety and research purposes.

What is the deadliest shark attack ever recorded?

While 1929 remains the deadliest year on record with 9 fatalities, in recent history, 2020 stands out with 8 fatalities, marking the highest toll since 1929.¹

• Most attacks involve one victim, but a few incidents have killed two people. In October 1937, a tiger shark killed two 18-year-old swimmers at Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast, and in July 1983 two people were killed at Lodestone Reef off Townsville.¹

Age distribution

Adults aged 25–45 were the largest group of victims from 2015 to 2025, at about 36% of those whose age was recorded.¹ Board riders and swimmers were involved in the most incidents.

• Teenagers and young adults (12–24) made up about 31% of victims, most often while surfing, bodyboarding or spearfishing.¹
• Victims over 45 made up about 27%.¹
• Children under 12 were rarely involved, at about 6% of victims.¹
• Divers and spearfishers of various ages also feature in attack statistics, most often in incidents with white sharks, followed by bronze whaler and bull sharks.¹

Gender distribution

Males accounted for about 83% of shark attack victims from 2015 to 2025¹, reflecting their higher participation rates in ocean activities like surfing and diving.

• Female victims made up about 17% of shark attacks where the victim's gender was recorded.¹

Shark attacks are often influenced by environmental conditions and human behaviour, especially when individuals:

• Swim or surf at dawn or dusk, when many shark species are most active
• Enter murky or turbid water, especially after rainfall or near river mouths
• Swim near baitfish schools, seal colonies, or areas where birds are diving
• Venture into water alone or in remote, unpatrolled locations
• Ignore beach closures or shark warnings from authorities
• Participate in activities that might attract sharks, such as spearfishing