National sport and physical activity participation
This webpage presents a high-level overview of participation among key demographic groups in Australia.
Each section provides the following key AusPlay results for that particular group (where data allows):
- Headline indicators
- Motivations for being active
- Barriers to being active
- All participation rates
- Most popular sport-related activities
- Most popular non-sport-related activities
DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS
Key Findings
The latest AusPlay data provides an indication of how the end of the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Australians’ participation in sport and physical activity.
Higher frequency participation among Australian females aged 15+ has dropped back to pre-pandemic levels.
When COVID-19 restrictions were in full force, women drove increased participation, especially at higher frequencies. The latest AusPlay data shows these higher levels of participation have not been sustained since restrictions eased.
Pre-COVID-19
During-COVID-19
Post-COVID-19
Pre-COVID-19
During-COVID-19
Post-COVID-19
Children aged 0-14 continue to return to their regular sporting activity
Regular (1+ per week) participation in sport-related activities reached a low point in 2020-21. Since then, children (both boys and girls) have been returning to sport, although rates are not yet back to pre-pandemic levels.
rates - sport-related activities
Australians continue to exercise for the social and mental health benefits.
The trend over the past few years of increasing numbers of Australians 15+ exercising for the social or mental health benefits appears to have slowed down but both are still a greater motivator now than before the pandemic.
2018-19
Pre-COVID-19
2020-21
During-COVID-19
2022-23
Post-COVID-19
2018-19
Pre-COVID-19
2020-21
During-COVID-19
2022-23
Post-COVID-19
Further information
The ASC has produced a full national update as well as a short review of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted participation in sport and physical activity, drawing on the findings from the three previous COVID-19 updates.
Participation snapshot 2022-23
|
SPORT OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 1+ PER WEEK |
SPORT-RELATED ACTIVITY 1+ PER WEEK |
SPORTS CLUB OR ASSOCIATION 1+ PER YEAR |
NON-PLAYING ROLE 1+ PER YEAR | |
| AUSTRALIANS 15+ | 78% | 40% | 22% | 16% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALES 15+ | 78% | 48% | 28% | 18% |
| FEMALES 15+ | 79% | 32% | 16% | 14% |
| YOUNG ADULTS 15-19 | 78% | 60% | 42% | 19% |
| OLDER AUSTRALIANS 55+ | 77% | 31% | 16% | 10% |
| AUSTRALIANS 18+ WITH DISABILITY | 67% | 24% | 12% | 11% |
| AUSTRALIANS 18+ WHO SPEAK A LOTE | 74% | 38% | 17% | 10% |
| INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS 18+ | 69% | 32% | 21% | 15% |
| BOYS 0-14 (Organised out-of-school) | 51% | 49% | 48% | |
| GIRLS 0-14 (Organised out-of-school) | 52% | 46% | 40% |