AusPlay provides national, state and territory data on almost 400 different participation sports and activities in Australia and who is participating in them.
Data collection for AusPlay has been continuous since the survey commenced on 22 October 2015. Results can be downloaded below.
Sport Australia is using its two national surveys – AusPlay and the Community Perceptions Monitor – to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sport and physical activity participation.
With nine months’ of AusPlay data collection since restrictions were first introduced in late March 2020 we are beginning to get a clearer picture of how the pandemic is impacting participation. Our ongoing Community Perceptions Monitor is also providing useful insights into how quickly Australians are returning to play and volunteer in organised sport.
Our June 2021 update is a continuation of the original report in October 2020. It is accompanied by a one-page summary of the key findings and a new set of data visualisations that present AusPlay results from our two COVID-19 reports to date in an online format.
AusPlay Focus: Early impact of COVID-19 on sport and physical activity participation
AusPlay, Australia’s biggest sporting survey has conducted research that provides us with a first look at the impact COVID-19 has had on our sport sector and physical activity levels of Australians.
From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, additional questions were built into the AusPlay survey as well as our other research tool - the Community Perceptions Monitor Survey.
The first theme that has emerged from the data is there are now more significant barriers to participate in organised sport than we have ever experienced before.
In addition to the barriers we have explored in the past, like cost, the top three concerns found in returning to sport because of the pandemic are:
- the fear that people will not follow health rules,
- the perception that sport causes COVID-19 to spread in the community, and
- the ability of sports and associations to come up with ways to play sport safely.
Results show that these barriers are having a direct impact on participation, and in July 36% of people surveyed through AusPlay were extremely or very concerned about participating in organised sport.
By August, only 37% were back playing all the sports they expected to play in 2020.
But in more positive news, 87% of people are expected to be playing some organised sports again by years end.
The AusPlay data has also shown that the pandemic has reinforced the long-term trend towards non-sport-related means of adults getting active. During the pandemic the more accessible physical activities, such as running, walking, home gyms and cycling, continued to rise over sport and organised sporting activities.
Early signals also show motivations for participation in sport have shifted more towards mental and physical health versus fun and enjoyment.
This shows that the Australians recognise the importance of sport and physical activity not only for the fun and enjoyment but the impact it has on the mind and body.
The lockdown also affected children more than adults in organised physical activities.
73% of Australian adults remained active, compared with just 17% per cent of children.
Some of the top activities during lockdown demonstrated the ability to engage from home or solo.
The second theme that has emerged from the data is that Sport will be integral to Australia’s Recovery
Sport is ingrained in the Australian culture and the data we collected has reinforced the role sport has to play in a positive recovery from COVID-19 and the role sport played through getting the community through the pandemic.
Our recent Community Perceptions Monitor Survey data showed that people who were finding it easier to keep fit and active reported that they were feeling more optimistic, connected and had a greater sense of wellbeing.
The data has also shown that Australian’s initially missed their sport, after it was suspended for several weeks 44% of Australians said that they missed sport being in their lives.
This number has fallen steadily since professional and community sport restarted across areas across the country, and in August 29% of Australians said that they missed sport being in their lives
Stay tuned for more AusPlay reporting on the impacts of COVID-19. The next survey results are due for release in April 2021.
Australia has long been called a sport-loving nation and the Olympics is the largest sporting event in the world, with over 150 countries competing in each Olympics since 1988.
Whether we play or volunteer in Olympic and Paralympic sports, or just watch, most Australians are touched by the Games in some way. As we watch and celebrate our elite athletes’ performances on the world stage, we examine how everyday Australians connect with Olympic and Paralympic sports – not only by participating, but also by volunteering or just watching and being inspired by what we see. It shows that there really is an Olympic or Paralympic sport for everyone, that age is no barrier and that, more than anything else, it is fun.
AusPlay Focus: Australians’ participation and involvement in summer Olympic and Paralympic sports
Latest release
Results from the most recent 12 months of AusPlay data.
National data tables include a year-on-year comparison of selected measures.
State and territory
- ACT data tables - January 2020 to December 2020
- NSW data tables - January 2020 to December 2020
- NT data tables – January 2020 to December 2020
- Qld data tables – January 2020 to December 2020
- SA data tables – January 2020 to December 2020
- Tas data tables – January 2020 to December 2020
- Vic data tables – January 2020 to December 2020
- WA data tables – January 2020 to December 2020
Data visualisations
Results using the entire aggregated AusPlay data set.
What sports and physical activities are most popular in Australia
Top sports and activities in Australia
Participation trends in Australia since 2001
Impact of COVID-19 on sport and physical activity participation
Participant behaviour across states and territories.
The way in which Australians choose to be active as they move through each life stage.
The health of Australians and how they compare against the health guideline criteria.
PDF versions of some reports are also available below under Historical publications.
Athletics/running
Australian Football
Badminton
Basketball
Boxing
Bowls
Bush walking
Canoeing/Kayaking
Cricket
Cycling
Dancing
DanceSport
Equestrian
Fishing
Fitness/gym
