National sport and physical activity participation
Children aged 0-14
Headline indicators
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport or physical activity 1+ per week
2022-23 52% [2,605,000]
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport-related activity 1+ per week
2022-23 48% [2,421,000]
Participate through a sports club or association 1+ per year
2022-23 44% [2,217,000]
What’s changed?
The percentage of children 0-14 participating at least once a week in organised outside-of-school sport or physical activity has increased but is not yet back to pre-COVID levels. This is driven by sport-related participation which has also increased.
All participation rates 2016–17 to 2022–23
Frequency of participation
1+ per week, 3+ per week.
Most popular sport and non-sport-related activities 2022–23
Estimated number of participants
Boys 0-14
Swimming
948,000
Football/soccer
523,000
Basketball
330,000
Australian football
310,000
Gymnastics
191,000
Tennis
155,000
Cricket
150,000
Running/athletics
146,000
Rugby league
122,000
Rugby union
85,000
Girls 0-14
Swimming
970,000
Gymnastics
465,000
Dance (recreational)
402,000
Netball
296,000
Football/soccer
245,000
Basketball
147,000
Running/athletics
131,000
Tennis
124,000
DanceSport
111,000
Australian football
78,000
Top 10 sports/activities shown.
Children aged 0-14
Young adults aged 15–19
Australians aged 15+
Older Australians aged 55+
Girls aged 0-14
Females aged 15+
Boys aged 0-14
Males aged 15+
Australians aged 18+ with disability
Children 0-14 LOTE
Australians 18+ LOTE
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 18+
Children aged 0-14 in major cities
Australians aged 15+ in major cities
Children aged 0-14 in regional/rural areas
Australians aged 15+ in regional/rural areas
Children aged 0-14 by state / territory 2022-23
Australians aged 15+ by state / territory 2022-23