Shark attacks are a grim reality of Australian life, but they’re rarer than you probably think

This week's fatal shark attack in Sydney was the first since 1963. Photo: Getty

The death of British diving instructor Simon Nellist in a shark attack on Wednesday was a freak tragedy.

It was the first fatal incident in Sydney waters since 1963, and experts say shark attacks – while horrific – are rare occurrences because the creatures don’t actually seek out humans.