The number of drowning deaths at Australian beaches has fallen by a third over the past year.

Surf Life Saving Australia has won high praise from Tony Abbott, with a report showing drowning deaths at beaches fell by nearly a third over the past year.

The 2014 National Coastal Safety Report shows 84 people drowned off Australia's coast, down 29 per cent on last year, with over half happening more than 5km offshore.

The prime minister, who launched the report at Sydney's Queenscliff beach, said the drop in drownings was impressive, particularly considering there were no deaths between beach safety flags over the year.

"If you swim between the flags you can be very confident you will be looked after and you will be safe," he said.

Surf Life Saving Australia President Graham Ford says the figures show his organisation saves lives.

"The system works when people heed the warnings and swim between the red and yellow flags," he said.

"We can't save you if we can't see you."

Over the year, 38 per cent of drownings were near beaches and a quarter happened on rocky coastlines.

Men accounted for 89 per cent of deaths, while a startling 91 per cent of male drowning victims were aged between 60 and 64.

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Drownings down at Australian beaches