Twelve shark attacks predicted for Australian summer

Western Australia is now the deadliest place on Earth for shark attacks, with five fatalities in the past 13 months.

But the eastern states' larger human populations make Queensland, NSW and Victoria a statistically more likely location for attacks this summer.

John West, curator of the Australian shark attack file, believes there will be 12 attacks this summer - based on averages for the past 10 years, which include one fatality per year.

"With more people going into the water there is always an increased chance of encountering aquatic animals like sharks," Mr West told AAP.

"This summer will be no exception and I would suggest that the average number of cases will probably occur this coming summer season - but hopefully not."

It's still a little early for sharks to appear off the eastern states in great numbers, with far more expected as the fish migrate south through late spring.

Shoals of baitfish have already been seen in great numbers off NSW - and one large shark has been sighted off the state's south coast.

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter CEO Stephen Leahy says there's no reason to fear a surge in attacks.

"There's nothing to indicate anything unusual," he added.

"Let's have a look, monitor what the water temperature's going to do - it's always towards the later part of summer we start seeing more sharks because that's when the water's nice and warm.

"But at this point in time we've got nothing to worry about."

-  AAP