Shark attack statistics: Australia’s most dangerous beaches for shark attacks
Shark attack statistics put Australia second in the world for the most number of unprovoked attacks, with New South Wales the most dangerous state in the country.
Shark attack statistics show that there have been more than 622 unprovoked shark attacks in Australia since 1988. While most recorded attacks have occurred in New South Wales, the majority of fatalities transpired in Western Australia.
Finder analysed data released by the Shark Research Institute's Global Shark Attack File, determining hotspot coastal locations around the country where hundreds of unprovoked shark attacks have occurred between 1988 and 2024.
214 attacks took place off the coast of NSW, almost double the 134 attacks recorded in Queensland, which came in second.
Shark attack prevalence by Australian state over a 25-year period from 1988
| State | Attacks |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | 214 |
| Western Australia | 154 |
| Queensland | 134 |
| South Australia | 50 |
| Victoria | 41 |
| Tasmania | 13 |
| Northern Territory | 12 |
| Torres Strait | 3 |
| Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 1 |
| Total | 622 |
Source: finder.com.au, www.sharkattackfile.net *Not all shark incidents are recorded by state, and some are unaccounted for due to ocean locations.
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Planning to surf or swim on your travels? Find travel insurance that covers both you and your board, shark deterrents that actually work and vehicle excess insurance to get you to and from the coast.
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