Sport Australia released the first results from AusPlay on 8 December 2016 for data collected from October 2015 to September 2016. This release filled a major data gap for the sport sector, which had been without national participation estimates since 2014 when the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) ceased all sport and recreation data collection.

From the second release onwards Sport Australia will follow a regular cycle of calendar and financial year reporting. Sport Australia has committed to report data every six months.

Release dates:

• Release 2: 26 April 2017 for data collected January 2016 – December 2016
• Release 3: 16 November 2017 for data collected July 2016 – June 2017
• Release 4: 30 April 2018 for data collected January 2017 – December 2017
• Release 5: 31 October 2018 for data collected July 2017 – June 2018
• Release 6: 30 April 2019 for data collected January 2018 – December 2018
• Release 7: 31 October 2019 for data collected July 2018 – June 2019
• Release 8: 30 April 2020 (re-issued 24 June 2020) for data collected January 2019 – December 2019
• Release 9: To be released in late October 2020 for data collected July 2019 – June 2020

The first three releases have overlapping data and therefore time series comparisons cannot be made. Time series comparisons are possible from release 4 onwards by using two discrete data collection periods e.g. the 2016 and 2017 calendar years. However, users of AusPlay data should also be aware of some methodological changes made to the survey in 2019 that may impact time series comparisons. Any comparison of results within AusPlay that cross the 1 July 2019 data collection point should take these methodological changes into account. More information about the changes is provided on the AusPlay methodology page.

A tool to test whether the difference between estimates is statistically significant is available for download below. If you have any questions about the tool or would like assistance with it please send an email to ausplay@sportaus.gov.au.

• Significance Testing for AusPlay Estimates of Proportion

Sport Australia is working closely with its stakeholders to make the most of the AusPlay results for the benefit of the sport sector and all Australians. AusPlay results are updated every six months.

Please note that the impact of the coronavirus on participation rates will not be seen until future releases. AusPlay has continued during the pandemic and with additional questions to better understand how participation behaviours have changed.