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Almost 80 per cent of multicultural Australians who drowned in NSW over a five-year span were poor or non-swimmers, according to new research.

Research showing that almost four-fifths of multicultural people who drowned in NSW over a five-year period were poor or non-swimmers has prompted a new program to address the issue.

Royal Life Saving found 79 per cent of drowning fatalities among the multicultural community throughout NSW from July 2013 to June 2018 were people who couldn't swim or couldn't swim well.

The research also suggests some refugees and migrants had limited or no exposure to public swimming pools, formal swimming or water safety education when they arrived in Australia.

The peak water safety educator has launched a "cultural competence" program in a bid to reduce the number of drowning deaths among diverse communities.

The initiative trains aquatic centre staff across the state on the needs of multicultural people learning to swim.

"For many recent migrants, the journey to a pool may be daunting or unknown," Royal Life Saving NSW chief executive Michael Ilinsky said in a statement on Tuesday.

"It is therefore really important that we make aquatic centres welcoming and positive places to visit for everyone."

Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre, which attracts more than one million visitors each year, was the first accredited facility to launch the free program but others are being urged to sign up.

More accredited centres are located in Wagga Wagga, Toronto, Galston, Hornsby, Granville, Guildford, Merrylands and Wentworthville.