Australians Aged 15+
Headline indicators
Participate in sport or physical activity 1+ per week
Participate in sport-related activity 1+ per week
Participate through a sports club or association 1+ per year
Take on a non-playing role 1+ per year
Top motivations in 2022–23
Physical health or fitness
Fun/enjoyment
Social reasons
Psychological/mental health/therapy
To be outdoors/enjoy nature
What’s changed?
The reasons for getting active that increased most during COVID-19 (mental health, social reasons, to be outdoors) came off their peak but have remained higher than before the pandemic.
Top barriers in 2022–23
Poor health or injury
Not enough time/too many other commitments
Increasing age/too old
Not a priority (any more)
Have a physical job
*Response option only identified from 2017
What’s changed?
The proportion of non-participants saying exercise is not a priority decreased, after peaking in 2021-22.
All participation rates 2016–17 to 2022–23
1+ per week
Most popular sport-related activities 2022–23
Top 10 sports/activities shown.
What’s changed?
Among adults 15+, running/athletics is less popular in 2022-23 than it was in 2021-22 but has still grown in participant numbers since before COVID. Swimming and Basketball are more popular activities in 2022-23 than in 2021-22.
Most popular non-sport-related activities 2022–23
Activities with estimates of less than 40,000 not shown.
*Virtual/technology-based/gaming exercise, for example, motion sensing console games, smart treadmills, online platforms such as Zwift.
What’s changed?
Among adults 15+, walking is less popular in 2022-23 than it was in 2021-22 but has still grown in participant numbers since before COVID. Bushwalking, Pilates and Exergaming has continued to increase after becoming more popular during COVID.