National sport and physical activity participation

Australians aged 15+ in major cities

According to the 2021 Census there are 15 million people in Australia aged 15+ who live in a major city, making up 72% of the Australian 15+ population. By age, there are 5.1 million aged 15-34, 5 million aged 35-54 and 4.9 million aged 55+. AusPlay has included interviews with more than 103,600 Australians aged 15+ in major cities.

The following pages tell us more about how Australians aged 15+ who live in major cities participate in sport and physical activity and how, if at all, that has changed.

The graphs on this webpage use these symbols to highlight statistically significant changes in the last year:

Statistically significant increase since 2021–22
Statistically significant decrease since 2021–22

On this page:

Headline indicators
Top motivations in 2022-23
Top barriers in 2022-23
All participation rates 2016-17 to 2022-23
Most popular sport-related activities 2022-23
Most popular non-sport-related activities 2022-23

Headline indicators

Participate in sport or physical activity 1+ per week

2022-23 81% [12,440,000]

Participate in sport-related activity 1+ per week

2022-23 41% [6,280,000]

Participate through a sports club or association 1+ per year

2022-23 22% [3,347,000]

Take on a non-playing role 1+ per year

2022-23 15% [2,376,000]

Top motivations in 2022–23

Physical health or fitness

2022-23 84%

Fun/enjoyment

2022-23 48%

Social reasons

2022-23 35%

Psychological/mental health/therapy

2022-23 30%

To be outdoors/enjoy nature

2022-23 15%

What’s changed?

Since 2021-22, the percentage of active Australians 15+ in major cities who are motivated by being outdoors, as well as by the social and mental health benefits of physical activity has decreased.

Based on all participants (1+ per year).

Top barriers in 2022–23

Not enough time/too many other commitments

2022-23 28%

Poor health or injury

2022-23 27%

Not a priority (any more)

2022-23 7%

Increasing age/too old

2022-23 7%

Too lazy

2022-23 7%

What’s changed?

As Australians in major cities return to their busy lives after COVID-19 restrictions, the proportion of non-participants saying they don’t have time to exercise has started to increase again.

Based on all non-participants.