National sport and physical activity participation
Children aged 0-14 in major cities
Headline indicators
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport or physical activity 1+ per week
2022-23 55% [1,943,000]
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport-related activity 1+ per week
2022-23 52% [1,817,000]
Participate through a sports club or association 1+ per year
2022-23 44% [1,553,000]
What’s changed?
In line with the national figures, the percentage of children 0-14 in major cities who participate at least once a week has increased, driven by sport-related participation.
All participation rates 2016–17 to 2022–23
Frequency of participation
1+ per week, 3+ week.
Most popular sport and non-sport-related activities 2022–23
Estimated number of participants
Boys 0-14 in major cities
Swimming
701,000
Football/soccer
389,000
Basketball
240,000
Australian football
202,000
Gymnastics
134,000
Tennis
119,000
Cricket
102,000
Running/athletics
95,000
Rugby league
76,000
Karate
61,000
Girls 0-14 in major cities
Swimming
715,000
Gymnastics
339,000
Dance (recreational)
294,000
Netball
187,000
Football/soccer
187,000
Basketball
107,000
Running/athletics
100,000
DanceSport
91,000
Tennis
87,000
Australian football
65,000
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