Australia's beaches continue to pose fatal risks to overseas-born people, with a study suggesting many struggle to understand warnings presented on signs.

A Monash University study found beach-related terminology and even the colour of warning signs were regularly misinterpreted by international visitors.

The stark research comes as the summer peak drowning period approaches, with some cultural representative bodies questioning if enough has been to teach beach safety.

About a third of Australia's 357 drowning deaths in 2024/25 were people born overseas.

Monash University drowning prevention researcher Masaki Shibata, who is also a surf lifesaver, said instructions such as "swim between the flags" were open to misinterpretation.

Other terms such as "shore dump", "rip current" and "sub

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