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EVIDENCE BASE FOR SPORT

Volunteers in Sport

Volunteers contribute to the social and economic value of sport, especially at the community level and by assisting in running major sporting events such as World and National Cups/Championships or the Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth Games. 1, 2

In 2022, an estimated 3.4 million Australians participated in non-playing roles in the sport and active recreation sector at least once. Over 90% of these participants (3.1 million) were volunteers. 3,6 Many sports and sporting organisations would not be able to run without volunteers who fill many critical roles, including coach, official, manager, administrator, board and committee member. 4

To volunteer means to willingly give time for the common good and without financial gain. 5

PARTICIPATION - 2022



3.1 million  (14.4%) of Australians [aged 15+] volunteered in sport and recreation activities at least once in the previous 12 months. 6
16% of Australian men and 13% of women [aged 15+] volunteered in sport and recreation activities at least once in the previous 12 months. 6
Estimated age group participation in volunteering at least once a year by Australians 3
Estimated State/Territory volunteering in sport and recreation activities at least once a year by Australians [15+] 6
  • Australian Capital Territory - 57,000 (15%)
  • New South Wales - 936,000 (13%)
  • Northern Territory - 34,000 (17%)
  • Queensland - 622,000 (14%)
  • South Australia - 245,000 (17%)
  • Tasmania - 74,000 (17%)
  • Victoria - 807,000 (14%)
  • Western Australia - 360,000 (16%)
An estimated 349,000 (9% of) Australians [aged 18+] with a disability, volunteered in sport and recreation activities at least once in the previous 12 months. 6
An estimated 86,000 (15% of) First Nations' people [aged 18+], volunteered in sport and recreation activities at least once in the previous 12 months. 6
An estimated 282,000 (8% of) Australians [aged 18+] who speak a language other than English (LOTE) at home, volunteered in sport and recreation activities at least once in the previous 12 months. 7
Most popular volunteer activities with estimated participants 6
Young Adult aged 15-24
Coach, instructor, trainer or teacher - 263,000
Official - 198,000
General/miscellaneous ad hoc assistance - 33,000
Administrator or committee member - 20,000
Adult aged 25-54
Coach, instructor, trainer or teacher - 922,000
Official - 601,000
Administrator or committee member - 408,000
Team manager or coordinator - 295,000
General/miscellaneous ad hoc assistance - 202,000
Mature Adult aged 55+
Coach, instructor, trainer or teacher - 237,000
Administrator or committee member - 262,000
Official - 219,000
General/miscellaneous ad hoc assistance - 89,000
Team manager or coordinator - 80,000
Top sports for volunteer participation with estimated participants 6
Young Adult aged 15-24
Football/soccer - 67,000
Netball - 59,000
Australian Football - 57,000
Basketball - 52,000
Volleyball (indoor and outdoor) - 38,000
Adult aged 25-54
Football/soccer - 346,000
Australian Football - 317,000
Basketball - 226,000
Netball - 223,000
Cricket - 147,000
Mature Adult aged 55+
Australian Football - 99,000
Football/soccer - 55,000
Bowls - 44,000
Golf - 44,000
Athletics/Track and Field - 43,000
  1. Intergenerational review of Australian sport 2017, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for the Australian Sports Commission, (2017).
  2. Major Sporting Event Impact and Legacy: Community & Social Engagement, Clearinghouse for Sport, (accessed 26 June 2023).
  3. AusPlay Data Portal: Non-playing roles, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 26 June 2023)
  4. Sport’s unsung heroes: Involvement in non-playing roles, Australian Bureau of Statistics (Perspectives on Sport series), Catalogue Number 4156.0.55.001, (June 2011).
  5. Definition of Volunteering, Volunteering Australia, (2015).
  6. AusPlay Data Portal: Volunteers in non-playing roles, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 26 June 2023).
  7. AusPlay Data [April 2023], Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 26 June 2023).

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Reviewed by: National Sport Research Agenda Advisory Group (November 2023)
Last updated: 09 November 2023
Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer

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