List of fatal shark attacks in Australia
Updated: 5/24/2026, 6:58:34 PM Wikipedia source
This is a list of fatal shark attacks in Australia. The Australian Shark-Incident Database has recorded that between 1791 and January 2026 there were 312 fatal shark attacks in Australia. Since 2000 there have been 59 confirmed fatal shark attacks in Australia, including 24 incidents since 2020.. The list below includes incidents that have not yet to be confirmed by the Australian Shark Incident Database.
Tables
· 2020s
2026-05-24
2026-05-24
Date
2026-05-24
Time
12:00
State
Qld
Area
Kennedy Shoal
Activity
Fishing
Sex
Male
Age
39
2026-05-16
2026-05-16
Date
2026-05-16
Time
10:00
State
WA
Area
Rottnest Island - Horseshoe Reef
Site category
Island - open ocean reef
Activity
Spearfishing
Victim
Steven Mattaboni
Sex
Male
Age
38
Injury
Major lacerations - lower legs
2026-01-18
2026-01-18
Date
2026-01-18
Time
16:20
State
NSW
Area
Sydney Harbour - Vaucluse - Nielsen Park - Shark Beach
Site category
Estuary - bay
Species
Bull
Activity
Swimming ; Jumping off rocks
Victim
Nicolas (Nico) Antic
Sex
Male
Age
12
Injury
Major lacerations - legs
2025-11-27
2025-11-27
Date
2025-11-27
Time
06:30
State
NSW
Area
Crowdy Bay - Kylies Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
Bull
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Livia Mulheim
Sex
Female
Age
25
Injury
Major lacerations
2025-09-06
2025-09-06
Date
2025-09-06
Time
10:00
State
NSW
Area
Sydney - Long Reef Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Mercury Psillakis
Sex
Male
Age
57
Injury
Leg and arm severed
2025-03-10
2025-03-10
Date
2025-03-10
Time
12:10
State
WA
Area
Esperance - Wharton Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Steven Payne
Sex
Male
Age
37
Injury
Body not recovered
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
Date
2025-02-03
Time
16:45
State
Qld
Area
Moreton Bay - Bribie Island - Woorim Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
Bull
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Charlize Zmuda
Sex
Female
Age
17
Injury
Injuries to upper body
2025-01-02
2025-01-02
Date
2025-01-02
Time
19:00
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Granites Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Lance Appleby
Sex
Male
Age
26
Injury
Body not recovered
2024-12-28
2024-12-28
Date
2024-12-28
Time
16:37
State
Qld
Area
Keppel Bay - Humpy Island
Site category
Island - open ocean
Activity
Spearfishing
Victim
Luke Walford
Sex
Male
Age
40
Injury
Major laceration - neck
2023-12-28
2023-12-28
Date
2023-12-28
Time
13:30
State
SA
Area
Spencer Gulf - Yorke Peninsula - Ethel Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Khai Cowley
Sex
Male
Age
15
Injury
Leg bitten off
2023-10-31
2023-10-31
Date
2023-10-31
Time
10:20
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Streaky Bay
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Tod Gendle
Sex
Male
Age
55
Injury
Body not recovered
2023-05-13
2023-05-13
Date
2023-05-13
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Eyre Peninsula - Walkers Rocks
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Simon Baccanello
Sex
Male
Age
46
Injury
Remains not recovered
2023-02-04
2023-02-04
Date
2023-02-04
Time
15:00
State
WA
Area
Swan River - N Fremantle
Site category
River
Species
Bull
Activity
Swimming after jumping off jet ski
Victim
Stella Berry
Sex
Female
Age
16
Injury
Major lacerations - leg
2022-02-16
2022-02-16
Date
2022-02-16
Time
16:35
State
NSW
Area
Little Bay Beach, Sydney
Site category
Coastal - bay to open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Simon Nellist
Sex
Male
Age
35
Injury
Consumed
2022-11-06
2022-11-06
Date
2022-11-06
Time
10:00
State
WA
Area
Fremantle - Port Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Paul Millachip
Sex
Male
Age
57
Injury
Bitten in half
2021-09-05
2021-09-05
Date
2021-09-05
Time
11:45
State
NSW
Area
Coffs Harbour - Emerald Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Timothy Thompson
Sex
Male
Age
31
Injury
Multiple injuries
2021-05-18
2021-05-18
Date
2021-05-18
Time
11:00
State
NSW
Area
Forster - Tuncurry Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Mark Sanguinetti
Sex
Male
Age
59
Injury
Leg injury
2021-01-21
2021-01-21
Date
2021-01-21
Time
17:00
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Eyre Peninsula - Walkers Rocks
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Snorkeling
Victim
Duncan Craw
Sex
Male
Age
32
Injury
Major lacerations
2020-11-22
2020-11-22
Date
2020-11-22
Time
08:45
State
WA
Area
Broome - Cable Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
Bull
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Charles Cernobori
Sex
Male
Age
55
Injury
Bites to arm and thigh
2020-10-09
2020-10-09
Date
2020-10-09
Time
16:00
State
WA
Area
Esperance - Wylie Bay
Site category
Coastal - bay to open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Andrew Sharpe
Sex
Male
Age
52
Injury
Body not recovered
2020-09-08
2020-09-08
Date
2020-09-08
Time
17:00
State
Qld
Area
Gold Coast - Greenmount Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Nick Slater
Sex
Male
Age
46
Injury
Leg injuries
2020-07-11
2020-07-11
Date
2020-07-11
Time
14:30
State
NSW
Area
Northern Rivers - Wooli Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Mani Hart-Deville
Sex
Male
Age
15
Injury
Legs injured
2020-07-04
2020-07-04
Date
2020-07-04
Time
14:00
State
Qld
Area
Fraser Island - Indian Head
Site category
Coastal - open ocean
Species
Whaler
Activity
Spearfishing
Victim
Matthew Tratt
Sex
Male
Age
36
Injury
Lacerations - leg, foot
2020-06-07
2020-06-07
Date
2020-06-07
Time
10:00
State
NSW
Area
Kingscliff - Casuarina Beach
Site category
Coastal - ocean beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Rob Pedretti
Sex
Male
Age
60
Injury
Thigh bitten
2020-04-06
2020-04-06
Date
2020-04-06
State
Qld
Area
North West Island
Site category
island - open ocean reef
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Zachary Robba
Sex
Male
Age
23
Injury
Injuries to arm, leg, torso
2020-01-05
2020-01-05
Date
2020-01-05
Time
13:00
State
WA
Area
Esperance - Cull Island
Site category
Island - open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
Gary Johnson
Sex
Male
Age
57
Injury
Right arm severed, body not recovered
| Date | Time | State | Area | Site category | Species | Activity | Victim | Sex | Age | Injury | Reference |
| 2026-05-24 | 12:00 | Qld | Kennedy Shoal | Fishing | Male | 39 | |||||
| 2026-05-16 | 10:00 | WA | Rottnest Island - Horseshoe Reef | Island - open ocean reef | Spearfishing | Steven Mattaboni | Male | 38 | Major lacerations - lower legs | ||
| 2026-01-18 | 16:20 | NSW | Sydney Harbour - Vaucluse - Nielsen Park - Shark Beach | Estuary - bay | Bull | Swimming ; Jumping off rocks | Nicolas (Nico) Antic | Male | 12 | Major lacerations - legs | |
| 2025-11-27 | 06:30 | NSW | Crowdy Bay - Kylies Beach | Coastal - surf beach | Bull | Swimming | Livia Mulheim | Female | 25 | Major lacerations | |
| 2025-09-06 | 10:00 | NSW | Sydney - Long Reef Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Mercury Psillakis | Male | 57 | Leg and arm severed | |
| 2025-03-10 | 12:10 | WA | Esperance - Wharton Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Steven Payne | Male | 37 | Body not recovered | |
| 2025-02-03 | 16:45 | Qld | Moreton Bay - Bribie Island - Woorim Beach | Coastal - surf beach | Bull | Swimming | Charlize Zmuda | Female | 17 | Injuries to upper body | |
| 2025-01-02 | 19:00 | SA | Australian Bight - Granites Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Lance Appleby | Male | 26 | Body not recovered | |
| 2024-12-28 | 16:37 | Qld | Keppel Bay - Humpy Island | Island - open ocean | Spearfishing | Luke Walford | Male | 40 | Major laceration - neck | ||
| 2023-12-28 | 13:30 | SA | Spencer Gulf - Yorke Peninsula - Ethel Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Khai Cowley | Male | 15 | Leg bitten off | |
| 2023-10-31 | 10:20 | SA | Australian Bight - Streaky Bay | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Tod Gendle | Male | 55 | Body not recovered | |
| 2023-05-13 | SA | Australian Bight - Eyre Peninsula - Walkers Rocks | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Simon Baccanello | Male | 46 | Remains not recovered | ||
| 2023-02-04 | 15:00 | WA | Swan River - N Fremantle | River | Bull | Swimming after jumping off jet ski | Stella Berry | Female | 16 | Major lacerations - leg | |
| 2022-02-16 | 16:35 | NSW | Little Bay Beach, Sydney | Coastal - bay to open ocean | White | Swimming | Simon Nellist | Male | 35 | Consumed | |
| 2022-11-06 | 10:00 | WA | Fremantle - Port Beach | Coastal | White | Swimming | Paul Millachip | Male | 57 | Bitten in half | |
| 2021-09-05 | 11:45 | NSW | Coffs Harbour - Emerald Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Timothy Thompson | Male | 31 | Multiple injuries | |
| 2021-05-18 | 11:00 | NSW | Forster - Tuncurry Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Mark Sanguinetti | Male | 59 | Leg injury | |
| 2021-01-21 | 17:00 | SA | Australian Bight - Eyre Peninsula - Walkers Rocks | Coastal - surf beach | White | Snorkeling | Duncan Craw | Male | 32 | Major lacerations | |
| 2020-11-22 | 08:45 | WA | Broome - Cable Beach | Coastal | Bull | Surfing | Charles Cernobori | Male | 55 | Bites to arm and thigh | |
| 2020-10-09 | 16:00 | WA | Esperance - Wylie Bay | Coastal - bay to open ocean | White | Surfing | Andrew Sharpe | Male | 52 | Body not recovered | |
| 2020-09-08 | 17:00 | Qld | Gold Coast - Greenmount Beach | Coastal | White | Surfing | Nick Slater | Male | 46 | Leg injuries | |
| 2020-07-11 | 14:30 | NSW | Northern Rivers - Wooli Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Mani Hart-Deville | Male | 15 | Legs injured | |
| 2020-07-04 | 14:00 | Qld | Fraser Island - Indian Head | Coastal - open ocean | Whaler | Spearfishing | Matthew Tratt | Male | 36 | Lacerations - leg, foot | |
| 2020-06-07 | 10:00 | NSW | Kingscliff - Casuarina Beach | Coastal - ocean beach | White | Surfing | Rob Pedretti | Male | 60 | Thigh bitten | |
| 2020-04-06 | Qld | North West Island | island - open ocean reef | Swimming | Zachary Robba | Male | 23 | Injuries to arm, leg, torso | |||
| 2020-01-05 | 13:00 | WA | Esperance - Cull Island | Island - open ocean | White | Diving | Gary Johnson | Male | 57 | Right arm severed, body not recovered |
· 2010s
2018-11-05
2018-11-05
Date
2018-11-05
Time
17:30
State
Qld
Area
Whitsunday Islands - Cid Harbour
Site category
Coastal
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Daniel Christidis
Sex
Male
Age
33
Injury
lacerations - leg, arm
2017-04-17
2017-04-17
Date
2017-04-17
Time
16:00
State
WA
Area
Esperance - Wylie Bay
Site category
Coastal - bay to open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Laeticia Brouwer
Sex
Female
Age
17
Injury
Leg ripped off
2016-06-05
2016-06-05
Date
2016-06-05
Time
Late morning
State
WA
Area
Perth - Mindarie - One Mile Reef
Site category
Pelagic - reef
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
Doreen Collyer
Sex
Female
Age
60
Injury
3 limbs removed
2016-05-31
2016-05-31
Date
2016-05-31
Time
Dusk
State
WA
Area
Mandurah - Gearies Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Ben Gerring
Sex
Male
Age
29
Injury
Leg removed
2016-02-16
2016-02-16
Date
2016-02-16
State
Qld
Area
Kennedy Shoal
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
Steven Foster
Sex
Male
Age
54
Injury
Body not recovered
2015-07-25
2015-07-25
Date
2015-07-25
Time
07:00
State
Tas
Area
Lachlan Point - Maria Island
Site category
Coastal - bay to open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
Damian Johnson
Sex
Male
Age
46
Injury
Major lacerations - torso, pelvic region
2015-02-09
2015-02-09
Date
2015-02-09
Time
09:55
State
NSW
Area
Ballina - Shelly Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Tadashi Nakahara
Sex
Male
Age
41
Injury
Legs severed
2014-12-30
2014-12-30
Date
2014-12-30
Time
12:20
State
WA
Area
Cheynes Beach
Site category
Coastal - beach to open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Spearfishing
Victim
Jay Muscat
Sex
Male
Age
17
Injury
Multiple injuries
2014-12-15
2014-12-15
Date
2014-12-15
Time
11:30
State
Qld
Area
Port Douglas - Rudder Reef
Site category
Island open ocean - reef
Species
Tiger
Activity
Spearfishing
Victim
Daniel Smith
Sex
Male
Age
18
Injury
Major lacerations - arm, thigh
2014-09-09
2014-09-09
Date
2014-09-09
Time
10:40
State
NSW
Area
Byron Bay - Clarkes Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Snorkelling
Victim
Paul Wilcox
Sex
Male
Age
50
Injury
Major lacerations - thigh
2014-04-03
2014-04-03
Date
2014-04-03
Time
08:50
State
NSW
Area
South Coast - Tathra Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Christine Armstrong
Sex
Female
Age
63
Injury
Remains not recovered
2014-02-08
2014-02-08
Date
2014-02-08
Time
12:00
State
SA
Area
Gulf St Vincent - Yorke Peninsula - Goldsmith Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Spearfishing with bait fish
Victim
Sam Kellett
Sex
Male
Age
28
Injury
Remains not recovered
2013-11-30
2013-11-30
Date
2013-11-30
Time
14:00
State
NSW
Area
Coffs - Campbells Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
Tiger
Activity
Surfing, in an area with whales present
Victim
Zac Young
Sex
Male
Age
19
Injury
Major lacerations - arm, torso, leg
2013-11-23
2013-11-23
Date
2013-11-23
Time
09:00
State
WA
Area
Gracetown - Umbies Break
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing, in an area with dolphins and baitfish present
Victim
Chris Boyd
Sex
Male
Age
35
Injury
Major lacerations - leg
2012-07-14
2012-07-14
Date
2012-07-14
Time
09:05
State
WA
Area
Wedge Island
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Ben Linden
Sex
Male
Age
24
Injury
Remains not recovered
2012-03-31
2012-03-31
Date
2012-03-31
Time
09:30
State
WA
Area
Bunbury - Stratham Beach
Site category
Coastal - ocean beach
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
Peter Kurmann
Sex
Male
Age
33
2011-10-22
2011-10-22
Date
2011-10-22
Time
13:25
State
WA
Area
Rottnest Island - Little Armstrong Bay
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
George Wainwright
Sex
Male
Age
32
Injury
Major lacerations - torso
2011-10-09
2011-10-09
Date
2011-10-09
Time
08:10
State
WA
Area
Perth - Cottesloe Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Bryn Martin
Sex
Male
Age
64
Injury
Eaten whole
2011-09-04
2011-09-04
Date
2011-09-04
Time
13:26
State
WA
Area
Dunsborough - Bunker Bay - The Boneyards
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing, in an area with dolphins and seals present
Victim
Kyle James Burden
Sex
Male
Age
21
Injury
Major lacerations - leg
2011-08-29
2011-08-29
Date
2011-08-29
Time
19:30
State
Qld
Area
Palm island - Challenger Bay
Site category
Island open ocean
Species
Tiger
Activity
Swimming
Victim
'Rooster'
Sex
Male
Age
48
Injury
Major lacerations - torso
2011-02-17
2011-02-17
Date
2011-02-17
Time
18:20
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Coffin Bay - Perforated Island
Site category
Island open ocean
Species
Whites - 2
Activity
Diving, in an area with other sharks present
Victim
Peter Clarkson
Sex
Male
Age
49
Injury
Remains not recovered
2010-08-17
2010-08-17
Date
2010-08-17
Time
08:05
State
WA
Area
Gracetown - Cowaramup Bay - South Point Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing, in an area with seals
Victim
Nicholas Edwards
Sex
Male
Age
31
Injury
Leg severed
| Date | Time | State | Area | Site category | Species | Activity | Victim | Sex | Age | Injury | Reference |
| 2018-11-05 | 17:30 | Qld | Whitsunday Islands - Cid Harbour | Coastal | Swimming | Daniel Christidis | Male | 33 | lacerations - leg, arm | ||
| 2017-04-17 | 16:00 | WA | Esperance - Wylie Bay | Coastal - bay to open ocean | White | Surfing | Laeticia Brouwer | Female | 17 | Leg ripped off | |
| 2016-06-05 | Late morning | WA | Perth - Mindarie - One Mile Reef | Pelagic - reef | White | Diving | Doreen Collyer | Female | 60 | 3 limbs removed | |
| 2016-05-31 | Dusk | WA | Mandurah - Gearies Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Ben Gerring | Male | 29 | Leg removed | |
| 2016-02-16 | Qld | Kennedy Shoal | White | Diving | Steven Foster | Male | 54 | Body not recovered | |||
| 2015-07-25 | 07:00 | Tas | Lachlan Point - Maria Island | Coastal - bay to open ocean | White | Diving | Damian Johnson | Male | 46 | Major lacerations - torso, pelvic region | |
| 2015-02-09 | 09:55 | NSW | Ballina - Shelly Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Tadashi Nakahara | Male | 41 | Legs severed | |
| 2014-12-30 | 12:20 | WA | Cheynes Beach | Coastal - beach to open ocean | White | Spearfishing | Jay Muscat | Male | 17 | Multiple injuries | |
| 2014-12-15 | 11:30 | Qld | Port Douglas - Rudder Reef | Island open ocean - reef | Tiger | Spearfishing | Daniel Smith | Male | 18 | Major lacerations - arm, thigh | |
| 2014-09-09 | 10:40 | NSW | Byron Bay - Clarkes Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Snorkelling | Paul Wilcox | Male | 50 | Major lacerations - thigh | |
| 2014-04-03 | 08:50 | NSW | South Coast - Tathra Beach | Coastal | White | Swimming | Christine Armstrong | Female | 63 | Remains not recovered | |
| 2014-02-08 | 12:00 | SA | Gulf St Vincent - Yorke Peninsula - Goldsmith Beach | Coastal | White | Spearfishing with bait fish | Sam Kellett | Male | 28 | Remains not recovered | |
| 2013-11-30 | 14:00 | NSW | Coffs - Campbells Beach | Coastal | Tiger | Surfing, in an area with whales present | Zac Young | Male | 19 | Major lacerations - arm, torso, leg | |
| 2013-11-23 | 09:00 | WA | Gracetown - Umbies Break | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing, in an area with dolphins and baitfish present | Chris Boyd | Male | 35 | Major lacerations - leg | |
| 2012-07-14 | 09:05 | WA | Wedge Island | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Ben Linden | Male | 24 | Remains not recovered | |
| 2012-03-31 | 09:30 | WA | Bunbury - Stratham Beach | Coastal - ocean beach | White | Diving | Peter Kurmann | Male | 33 | ||
| 2011-10-22 | 13:25 | WA | Rottnest Island - Little Armstrong Bay | Coastal - surf beach | White | Diving | George Wainwright | Male | 32 | Major lacerations - torso | |
| 2011-10-09 | 08:10 | WA | Perth - Cottesloe Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Swimming | Bryn Martin | Male | 64 | Eaten whole | |
| 2011-09-04 | 13:26 | WA | Dunsborough - Bunker Bay - The Boneyards | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing, in an area with dolphins and seals present | Kyle James Burden | Male | 21 | Major lacerations - leg | |
| 2011-08-29 | 19:30 | Qld | Palm island - Challenger Bay | Island open ocean | Tiger | Swimming | 'Rooster' | Male | 48 | Major lacerations - torso | |
| 2011-02-17 | 18:20 | SA | Australian Bight - Coffin Bay - Perforated Island | Island open ocean | Whites - 2 | Diving, in an area with other sharks present | Peter Clarkson | Male | 49 | Remains not recovered | |
| 2010-08-17 | 08:05 | WA | Gracetown - Cowaramup Bay - South Point Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing, in an area with seals | Nicholas Edwards | Male | 31 | Leg severed |
· 2000s
2008-12-27
2008-12-27
Date
2008-12-27
Time
07:00
State
WA
Area
Rockingham - Port Kennedy Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Snorkeling
Victim
Brian Guest
Sex
Male
Age
51
Injury
Remains not recovered
2008-04-08
2008-04-08
Date
2008-04-08
Time
08:05
State
NSW
Area
Ballina - Lighthouse Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
Bull
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Peter Edmonds
Sex
Male
Age
16
Injury
Major lacerations - thigh, calf
2006-01-07
2006-01-07
Date
2006-01-07
Time
17:15
State
Qld
Area
North Stradbroke Island - Amity Point
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
Bull
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Sarah Whiley
Sex
Female
Age
21
Injury
Major lacerations - leg, hand
2005-08-24
2005-08-24
Date
2005-08-24
Time
16:10
State
SA
Area
Gulf St Vincent - Adelaide - Glenelg Beach
Site category
Coastal - ocean beach
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
Jarrod Stehbens
Sex
Male
Age
23
Injury
Major laceration - torso
2005-03-19
2005-03-19
Date
2005-03-19
Time
14:00
State
WA
Area
Houtman Abrolhos - Pelsaert Island - Wreck Point
Site category
Island open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Snorkeling
Victim
Geoffrey Brazier
Sex
Male
Age
26
Injury
Major laceration - torso
2004-12-16
2004-12-16
Date
2004-12-16
Time
15:15
State
SA
Area
Gulf St Vincent - Adelaide - West Beach
Site category
Coastal - beach to open ocean
Species
White - 2
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Nick Peterson
Sex
Male
Age
18
Injury
Fully consumed
2004-12-11
2004-12-11
Date
2004-12-11
Time
13:00
State
Qld
Area
Port Douglas - Opal Reef
Site category
Pelagic - reef
Species
Tiger
Activity
Spearfishing
Victim
Mark Thompson
Sex
Male
Age
38
Injury
Major laceration - thigh
2004-07-10
2004-07-10
Date
2004-07-10
Time
14:10
State
WA
Area
Gracetown - Lefthanders near Margaret River
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White - 2
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Bradley Smith
Sex
Male
Age
30
Injury
Eaten whole
2003-02-08
2003-02-08
Date
2003-02-08
Time
Morning
State
Qld
Area
Gold Coast
Site category
River
Species
Bull
Activity
Swimming, in an area with Pinnipeds present
Victim
Bob Purcell
Sex
Male
Age
84
Injury
Major lacerations - leg
2002-12-16
2002-12-16
Date
2002-12-16
Time
02:30
State
Qld
Area
Lake Heron, Miami Lakes
Site category
River
Species
Bull
Activity
Swimming
Victim
Beau Martin
Sex
Male
Age
23
Injury
Major lacerations - torso, leg
2002-04-30
2002-04-30
Date
2002-04-30
Time
12:40
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Smoky Bay - near Saddle Point
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Diving for scallops
Victim
Paul Buckland
Sex
Male
Age
23
Injury
Major lacerations - leg
2000-11-06
2000-11-06
Date
2000-11-06
Time
06:30
State
WA
Area
Perth - Cottesloe Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Swimming, in an area with a seal present
Victim
Ken Crew
Sex
Male
Age
49
Injury
Torso attacked
2000-09-25
2000-09-25
Date
2000-09-25
Time
13:00
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Eyre Peninsula - Elliston - Blacks
Site category
Coastal - reef
Species
White
Activity
Surfing near a seal and dolphins
Victim
Jevan Wright
Sex
Male
Age
17
Injury
Fully consumed
2000-09-24
2000-09-24
Date
2000-09-24
Time
07:30
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - Ceduna - Cactus Beach
Site category
Coastal - reef
Species
White
Activity
Surfing, in an area with Pinnipeds present
Victim
Cameron Bayes
Sex
Male
Age
25
Injury
Fully consumed
| Date | Time | State | Area | Site category | Species | Activity | Victim | Sex | Age | Injury | Reference |
| 2008-12-27 | 07:00 | WA | Rockingham - Port Kennedy Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Snorkeling | Brian Guest | Male | 51 | Remains not recovered | |
| 2008-04-08 | 08:05 | NSW | Ballina - Lighthouse Beach | Coastal - surf beach | Bull | Surfing | Peter Edmonds | Male | 16 | Major lacerations - thigh, calf | |
| 2006-01-07 | 17:15 | Qld | North Stradbroke Island - Amity Point | Coastal - surf beach | Bull | Swimming | Sarah Whiley | Female | 21 | Major lacerations - leg, hand | |
| 2005-08-24 | 16:10 | SA | Gulf St Vincent - Adelaide - Glenelg Beach | Coastal - ocean beach | White | Diving | Jarrod Stehbens | Male | 23 | Major laceration - torso | |
| 2005-03-19 | 14:00 | WA | Houtman Abrolhos - Pelsaert Island - Wreck Point | Island open ocean | White | Snorkeling | Geoffrey Brazier | Male | 26 | Major laceration - torso | |
| 2004-12-16 | 15:15 | SA | Gulf St Vincent - Adelaide - West Beach | Coastal - beach to open ocean | White - 2 | Surfing | Nick Peterson | Male | 18 | Fully consumed | |
| 2004-12-11 | 13:00 | Qld | Port Douglas - Opal Reef | Pelagic - reef | Tiger | Spearfishing | Mark Thompson | Male | 38 | Major laceration - thigh | |
| 2004-07-10 | 14:10 | WA | Gracetown - Lefthanders near Margaret River | Coastal - surf beach | White - 2 | Surfing | Bradley Smith | Male | 30 | Eaten whole | |
| 2003-02-08 | Morning | Qld | Gold Coast | River | Bull | Swimming, in an area with Pinnipeds present | Bob Purcell | Male | 84 | Major lacerations - leg | |
| 2002-12-16 | 02:30 | Qld | Lake Heron, Miami Lakes | River | Bull | Swimming | Beau Martin | Male | 23 | Major lacerations - torso, leg | |
| 2002-04-30 | 12:40 | SA | Australian Bight - Smoky Bay - near Saddle Point | Coastal | White | Diving for scallops | Paul Buckland | Male | 23 | Major lacerations - leg | |
| 2000-11-06 | 06:30 | WA | Perth - Cottesloe Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Swimming, in an area with a seal present | Ken Crew | Male | 49 | Torso attacked | |
| 2000-09-25 | 13:00 | SA | Australian Bight - Eyre Peninsula - Elliston - Blacks | Coastal - reef | White | Surfing near a seal and dolphins | Jevan Wright | Male | 17 | Fully consumed | |
| 2000-09-24 | 07:30 | SA | Australian Bight - Ceduna - Cactus Beach | Coastal - reef | White | Surfing, in an area with Pinnipeds present | Cameron Bayes | Male | 25 | Fully consumed |
· 1990s
1999-05-29
1999-05-29
Date
1999-05-29
Time
14:30
State
SA
Area
Spencer Gulf - Yorke Peninsula - Hardwicke Bay - Flahertys Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Boarding or windsurfing
Victim
Tony Donoghue
Sex
Male
Age
22
Injury
Body not recovered
1998-06-28
1998-06-28
Date
1998-06-28
Time
14:00
State
SA
Area
Australian Bight - S Neptune Island
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Snorkeling, in an area with seals present
Victim
Doug Chesher
Sex
Male
Age
26
Injury
Leg injuries
1997-01-20
1997-01-20
Date
1997-01-20
Time
18:00
State
WA
Area
Geraldton
Species
Tiger
Activity
windsurfing
Victim
Werner Schonhofer
Sex
Male
Age
41
Injury
Eaten whole
1995-09-11
1995-09-11
Date
1995-09-11
Time
15:00
State
WA
Area
Hopetoun - Honeymoon Island
Site category
Island open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
David Alan Weir
Sex
Male
Age
29
Injury
Eaten in half
1993-11-21
1993-11-21
Date
1993-11-21
Time
15:15
State
WA
Area
Broome - Roebuck Bay
Site category
Coastal - bay to open ocean
Species
Tiger
Activity
Diving
Victim
Richard Peter Bisley
Sex
Male
Age
27
1993-06-09
1993-06-09
Date
1993-06-09
Time
09:30
State
NSW
Area
Byron Bay - Julian Rocks
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
John Ford
Sex
Male
Age
31
Injury
Consumed
1993-06-05
1993-06-05
Date
1993-06-05
Time
10:55
State
Tas
Area
Tenth Island - Georgetown
Site category
Island open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Diving, in an area with seals and scuba diving present
Victim
Therese Cartwright
Sex
Female
Age
35
Injury
Remains not recovered
1992-10-01
1992-10-01
Date
1992-10-01
Time
14:30
State
Qld
Area
Moreton Island - North Point
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Michael Docherty
Sex
Male
Age
28
1991-09-08
1991-09-08
Date
1991-09-08
Time
15:00
State
SA
Area
Gulf St Vincent - Aldinga Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Diving
Victim
Jonathon Lee
Sex
Male
Age
19
Injury
Major lacerations - torso
1990-04-08
1990-04-08
Date
1990-04-08
Time
14:00
State
Qld
Area
Townsville - Dingo Reef
Site category
Island open ocean - reef
Species
Tiger
Activity
Snorkeling, freediving for trochus
Victim
Robert Bullen
Sex
Male
Age
37
Injury
Body not recovered
| Date | Time | State | Area | Site category | Species | Activity | Victim | Sex | Age | Injury | Reference |
| 1999-05-29 | 14:30 | SA | Spencer Gulf - Yorke Peninsula - Hardwicke Bay - Flahertys Beach | Coastal | White | Boarding or windsurfing | Tony Donoghue | Male | 22 | Body not recovered | |
| 1998-06-28 | 14:00 | SA | Australian Bight - S Neptune Island | Coastal | White | Snorkeling, in an area with seals present | Doug Chesher | Male | 26 | Leg injuries | |
| 1997-01-20 | 18:00 | WA | Geraldton | Tiger | windsurfing | Werner Schonhofer | Male | 41 | Eaten whole | ||
| 1995-09-11 | 15:00 | WA | Hopetoun - Honeymoon Island | Island open ocean | White | Diving | David Alan Weir | Male | 29 | Eaten in half | |
| 1993-11-21 | 15:15 | WA | Broome - Roebuck Bay | Coastal - bay to open ocean | Tiger | Diving | Richard Peter Bisley | Male | 27 | ||
| 1993-06-09 | 09:30 | NSW | Byron Bay - Julian Rocks | Coastal - surf beach | White | Diving | John Ford | Male | 31 | Consumed | |
| 1993-06-05 | 10:55 | Tas | Tenth Island - Georgetown | Island open ocean | White | Diving, in an area with seals and scuba diving present | Therese Cartwright | Female | 35 | Remains not recovered | |
| 1992-10-01 | 14:30 | Qld | Moreton Island - North Point | Coastal | White | Surfing | Michael Docherty | Male | 28 | ||
| 1991-09-08 | 15:00 | SA | Gulf St Vincent - Aldinga Beach | Coastal | White | Diving | Jonathon Lee | Male | 19 | Major lacerations - torso | |
| 1990-04-08 | 14:00 | Qld | Townsville - Dingo Reef | Island open ocean - reef | Tiger | Snorkeling, freediving for trochus | Robert Bullen | Male | 37 | Body not recovered |
· 1980s
1989-03-09
1989-03-09
Date
1989-03-09
Time
20:15
State
SA
Area
Encounter Bay - Waitpinga Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Matthew Foale
Sex
Male
Age
27
Injury
Major lacerations - thigh
1988-11-08
1988-11-08
Date
1988-11-08
Time
Early morning
State
Qld
Area
North Keppel Island, off Yeppoon
Site category
Open ocean
Species
Tiger - 3
Activity
Swimming with a dinghy, after ship sank
Victim
Bruce Coucom
Sex
Male
Age
17
Injury
Bitten in torso before shark swam away, body in mouth
1988-11-07
1988-11-07
Date
1988-11-07
Time
Nightfall
State
Qld
Area
North Keppel Island, off Yeppoon
Species
Tiger - 2
Activity
Swimming with a dinghy, after ship sank
Victim
Cedric Coucom
Sex
Male
Age
62
1987-09-18
1987-09-18
Date
1987-09-18
State
SA
Area
Adelaide - Marino Rocks
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Diving, in an area with dolphins present
Victim
Terrance Gibson
Sex
Male
Age
47
1987-02
1987-02
Date
1987-02
State
Vic
Area
Mornington Peninsula - Wilsons Prom
Site category
Coastal - open ocean
Species
White
Activity
Surfing, in an area with spearfishing
Sex
Male
Injury
Major lacerations
1986-01
1986-01
Date
1986-01
State
Qld
Area
Torres Strait - Muralag (Prince of Wales Island)
Site category
Island open ocean
Species
Tiger
Activity
Spearfishing
Sex
Male
1985-03-03
1985-03-03
Date
1985-03-03
Time
12:30
State
SA
Area
Spencer Gulf - Port Lincoln - Wisemans Beach
Site category
Coastal
Species
White
Activity
Diving for scallops
Victim
Shirley Durdin
Sex
Female
Age
33
Injury
Major lacerations - torso; victim consumed
1984-11-30
1984-11-30
Date
1984-11-30
Time
12:33
State
Qld
Area
Mackay - Blacks Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
Tiger
Activity
Fell into water while sailing on catamaran
Victim
Nicholas Bos
Sex
Male
Age
16
Injury
Major lacerations - arm, head, torso
1983-07-26
1983-07-26
Date
1983-07-26
Time
04:00
State
Qld
Area
Great Barrier Reef - off Lodestone Reef
Site category
Ocean - pelagic
Species
Tiger
Activity
Adrift after prawn trawling vessel sank
Victim
Linda Ann Horton
Sex
Female
Age
21
Injury
Remains not recovered; seized by the chest and taken underwater
1983-07-25
1983-07-25
Date
1983-07-25
Time
Night
State
Qld
Area
Great Barrier Reef - off Lodestone Reef
Site category
Pelagic
Species
Tiger
Activity
Swimming from the New Venture
Victim
Dennis Patrick Murphy
Sex
Male
Age
24
Injury
Remains not recovered; leg bitten, then dragged underwater
1982-03-07
1982-03-07
Date
1982-03-07
Time
12:00
State
NSW
Area
Byron Bay - Tallow Beach
Site category
Coastal - surf beach
Species
White
Activity
Surfing
Victim
Martin Ford
Sex
Male
Age
20
Injury
Major lacerations - leg
1982-02-28
1982-02-28
Date
1982-02-28
State
Tas
Area
South Cape Bay
Site category
Coastal - bay to open ocean
Species
White
Activity
≈
Victim
Geert Talen
Sex
Male
Age
32
Injury
Remains not recovered
| Date | Time | State | Area | Site category | Species | Activity | Victim | Sex | Age | Injury | Reference |
| 1989-03-09 | 20:15 | SA | Encounter Bay - Waitpinga Beach | Coastal | White | Surfing | Matthew Foale | Male | 27 | Major lacerations - thigh | |
| 1988-11-08 | Early morning | Qld | North Keppel Island, off Yeppoon | Open ocean | Tiger - 3 | Swimming with a dinghy, after ship sank | Bruce Coucom | Male | 17 | Bitten in torso before shark swam away, body in mouth | |
| 1988-11-07 | Nightfall | Qld | North Keppel Island, off Yeppoon | Tiger - 2 | Swimming with a dinghy, after ship sank | Cedric Coucom | Male | 62 | |||
| 1987-09-18 | SA | Adelaide - Marino Rocks | Coastal | White | Diving, in an area with dolphins present | Terrance Gibson | Male | 47 | |||
| 1987-02 | Vic | Mornington Peninsula - Wilsons Prom | Coastal - open ocean | White | Surfing, in an area with spearfishing | Male | Major lacerations | ||||
| 1986-01 | Qld | Torres Strait - Muralag (Prince of Wales Island) | Island open ocean | Tiger | Spearfishing | Male | |||||
| 1985-03-03 | 12:30 | SA | Spencer Gulf - Port Lincoln - Wisemans Beach | Coastal | White | Diving for scallops | Shirley Durdin | Female | 33 | Major lacerations - torso; victim consumed | |
| 1984-11-30 | 12:33 | Qld | Mackay - Blacks Beach | Coastal - surf beach | Tiger | Fell into water while sailing on catamaran | Nicholas Bos | Male | 16 | Major lacerations - arm, head, torso | |
| 1983-07-26 | 04:00 | Qld | Great Barrier Reef - off Lodestone Reef | Ocean - pelagic | Tiger | Adrift after prawn trawling vessel sank | Linda Ann Horton | Female | 21 | Remains not recovered; seized by the chest and taken underwater | |
| 1983-07-25 | Night | Qld | Great Barrier Reef - off Lodestone Reef | Pelagic | Tiger | Swimming from the New Venture | Dennis Patrick Murphy | Male | 24 | Remains not recovered; leg bitten, then dragged underwater | |
| 1982-03-07 | 12:00 | NSW | Byron Bay - Tallow Beach | Coastal - surf beach | White | Surfing | Martin Ford | Male | 20 | Major lacerations - leg | |
| 1982-02-28 | Tas | South Cape Bay | Coastal - bay to open ocean | White | ≈ | Geert Talen | Male | 32 | Remains not recovered |
References
- Taronga Conservation Societyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180903024600/https://taronga.org.au/animals-conservation/conservation-science/australian-shark-attack-file/latest-figures
- Australian Shark Incident Database - version 9https://zenodo.org/records/18752301
- "Australian Shark-Incident Database"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16355384
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/24/shark-attack-man-dies-great-barrier-reef-far-north-queensland
- ABC News (Australia)https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-16/man-attacked-by-shark-rottnest-island/106688012
- ABC News (Australia)https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-17/steven-mattaboni-identified-as-rottnest-shark-attack-victim/106689444
- ABC Newshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-24/sydney-12yo-shark-attack-victim-nico-antic-dies-in-hospital/106249554
- Nine Newshttps://www.9news.com.au/national/kylies-beach-shark-attack-swiss-tourist-and-girlfriend-victim-identified/389264e4-cde2-47e4-976d-29b49a0a3e29
- The Sydney Morning Heraldhttps://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/person-dies-in-shark-attack-on-northern-beaches-20250906-p5mswd.html
- "'Warm and welcoming': Dee Why community mourns death of Mercury Psillakis after shark attack"https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/warm-and-welcoming-dee-why-community-mourns-death-of-mercury-psillakis-after-shark-attack/news-story/9725f14251eea53fe5c74678351fb88b?amp&nk=15c846d894a94dcc60f0d998e45cf7f7-1757140069
- ABC News (Australia)https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-11/search-continues-surfer-missing-shark-attack-esperance/105034378
- Canberra Timeshttps://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8914392/holidaying-surfer-presumed-dead-after-shark-mauling/?cs=14231
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/03/girl-dies-after-being-bitten-by-shark-off-south--ast-queensland-police-confirm
- The National Tribunehttps://www.nationaltribune.com.au/shark-attack-at-westall/
- ABC Newshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-28/man-attacked-by-shark-off-central-queensland-coast/104768354
- ABC News (Australia)https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-28/police-report-shark-attack-innes-national-park/103270468
- Yahoo! Newshttps://au.news.yahoo.com/boy-15-killed-shark-attack-133626086.html
- ABC News (Australia)https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-01/search-continues-for-surfer-after-suspected-fatal-shark-attack/103047538
- ABC News (Australia)https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-13/shark-attack-near-elliston-on-sa-eyre-peninsula/102342468
- Sky News Australiahttps://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/school-teacher-simon-baccanello-believed-dead-after-morning-surf-turns-deadly/video/11278dcc2c92317c3e4dfbeae1fd2b20