Lyla Lindsey
Sport is an important part of Australian culture and national identity. In 2013-14, an estimated 60% of Australians aged 15 and over (11.1 million people) participated in sports and physical recreation at least once during the year. This number decreased to 53.9% in 2019, with walking for exercise being the most popular activity, followed by fitness and gym activities, and swimming. In 2023, a survey of over 20,000 respondents revealed that recreational walking was once again the top participation sport, with almost 10 million regular participants. Australia also ranks highly among developed countries in terms of the proportion of its population that is overweight or obese, and various programs and initiatives have been implemented to encourage sports participation as a way to curb obesity rates.
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What You'll Learn
In 2023, walking was the top participation sport in Australia
Sport is an important part of Australian cultural identity, and the country performs well on the international sporting stage. In 2023, recreational walking was the top participation sport in Australia, with almost 10 million regular participants. This number represents a significant increase since 2019, with around 1.6 million more people taking up walking for exercise.
Michele Levine, CEO of Roy Morgan, attributes the rise in walking's popularity to the pandemic, when many other sporting activities were restricted. Walking was one of the few activities that people could do throughout the pandemic years of 2020-2022. It is also free and easily accessible, which may have contributed to its popularity.
While walking is the top participation sport, other individual sports are also popular in Australia. These include fitness/gym activities, swimming, cycling, and basketball. Over one-third of Australians participate in fitness and gym activities, and swimming is particularly popular among young Australians, with 41.6% of children aged 6 to 13 swimming regularly.
Team sports are also a significant part of Australian culture, with rugby, netball, cricket, and Australian Rules Football (AFL) being among the country's favourite sporting codes. However, participation rates in these team sports tend to decrease after the age of 18, with only around 50% of 15 to 17-year-olds continuing to play.
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5.2 million people were involved in organised sport in 2013-14
Sport is an important part of Australian culture and national identity. In the 2013-14 financial year, 5.2 million people aged 15 and over were involved in organised sports and physical activities in Australia. This number represents 28% of the Australian population over the age of 15. The rate of participation in sports and physical activities varied across different states in Australia, with the Australian Capital Territory having the highest rate of participation at 73%, while Queensland had the lowest rate at 54%.
The involvement of the 5.2 million people in organised sports and physical activities included both playing and non-playing roles. Approximately 4.7 million people took on playing roles, accounting for 26% of individuals aged 15 and above. Additionally, 1.4 million people, or 7.7% of the population in this age group, engaged in non-playing roles. Examples of non-playing roles include coach, instructor, referee, committee member, administrator, scorer, timekeeper, and medical support. It is worth noting that an individual can participate in more than one category, either within the same sport or across different sports.
The rate of involvement in organised sports and physical activities generally decreased with age. People aged 15 to 24 years old exhibited the highest rate of participation, with 44% engaging in some form of organised sports or physical activities. Within this age group, 43% took on playing roles, marking the highest rate of involvement in such roles across all age groups. On the other hand, individuals aged 55 and above showed lower rates of participation. Specifically, 19% of people aged 55 to 64 and 65 or above participated in organised sports or physical activities, with 18% and 17%, respectively, taking on playing roles.
Walking for exercise was the most popular physical recreational activity among Australians aged 15 and above. Within this age group, 19% of individuals engaged in walking for exercise at least once during the 12 months prior to the interview. Females were more likely to walk for exercise than males, with 25% of females and 14% of males participating. Following walking, fitness and gym activities were the next most popular, with an overall participation rate of 17%. Females also outnumbered males in this category, with 19% and 16% participation rates, respectively.
The Australian government recognises the importance of sports participation and has established various organisations to support and promote sports at different levels. The Australian Sports Commission, for instance, is the government agency responsible for investing in and supporting sports across the country. Additionally, the National Sports Tribunal provides independent dispute resolution services to the sporting community, while Sport Integrity Australia works to protect the integrity of Australian sports. These efforts reflect the understanding that sports participation not only enhances physical and mental health but also strengthens national pride and fosters successful international relationships.
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43% of people aged 15-24 participated in a playing role
Sport is an important aspect of Australian life, with benefits for the country's physical and mental health, economy, and national pride. In 2013-14, 60% of Australians aged 15 and over (approximately 11.1 million people) reported participating in sports or physical recreation at least once in the previous year. This figure decreased with age, with 74% of those aged 15-17 participating, compared to 47% of those aged 65 and over.
In the 2023 financial year, a survey of over 20,000 respondents found that recreational walking was the top participation sport, with almost 10 million regular participants. This was followed by fitness/gym activities and swimming. Notably, walking for exercise has grown in popularity, especially during the pandemic, when other sporting activities were restricted.
In terms of specific age groups, for those aged 6 to 13, swimming is the most popular sporting activity at 41.6%. For younger Australians aged 14 to 17, participation in team and club sports reaches almost 50%, but this rate drops steeply after age 18.
Among Australians aged 15-24, 43% participated in a playing role, the highest rate of involvement in a playing role across all age groups. This age group also had the highest rate of overall involvement at 44%. This indicates a strong engagement in sports and physical activities among young people in Australia, which could be influenced by various factors such as health initiatives, international sporting success, and the availability of organised sports programs.
Overall, Australia's sporting landscape is diverse, with a mix of individual and team sports, and a range of initiatives in place to encourage participation across different age groups and communities.
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53.9% of adult Australians regularly walk for exercise
Sport is an important part of Australian life, with benefits for physical and mental health, the economy, and national pride. Walking for exercise is the most popular sport or activity for Australians, with 53.9% of adult Australians regularly walking for exercise. This equates to almost 11.6 million people, a significant increase from 2019 when fewer than half of Australian adults (48.5%) regularly walked for exercise.
Walking for exercise is a healthy habit that many Australians adopted during the pandemic when other sporting activities were closed due to extensive restrictions. The popularity of walking increased rapidly after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, with regular participation increasing by around 1.6 million adults. This increase in walking for exercise may also be due to the fact that international success by Australian athletes inspires people to take up sport.
In addition to walking, other popular sports and activities for Australians include gym training, swimming, and yoga. Over 4 million Australians regularly go to the gym or weight train, an increase of over 730,000 compared to 2019. Participation in Pilates has increased by over 230,000 to 894,000, and participation in yoga has increased by over 180,000 to over 1.3 million.
While participation in sport and physical recreation in Australia was reported by an estimated 60% of the population aged 15 and over in 2013-14, this number decreased to 54% in Queensland and 67% in Tasmania. The Australian Capital Territory had the highest participation rate at 73%. Overall, participation generally decreased with age, with 15-17 year-olds reporting the highest rate at 74% and those aged 65 and over reporting the lowest at 47%.
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4 million Australians regularly go to the gym
Australia has a strong sporting culture, and sport is often acknowledged as an integral part of the country's cultural identity. In recent years, the country has seen an increase in the number of people participating in sports and physical activities.
According to Roy Morgan Research, 4 million Australians regularly go to the gym or participate in weight training. This number has increased by over 730,000 since 2019, representing a significant surge of over 20%. The increase in gym attendance can be attributed to various factors, including the easing of pandemic restrictions and a growing awareness of the benefits of physical activity among Australians.
The rise in gym attendance is part of a broader trend of Australians embracing healthier lifestyles. In addition to gym-goers, there has been a notable increase in the number of people engaging in walking for exercise, with over half of adult Australians aged 14+ regularly going for vigorous strolls. This increase in walking popularity is also reflected in the rise in jogging enthusiasts, with almost 2.3 million Australians lacing up their running shoes.
The fitness industry in Australia is thriving, with an estimated 7,311 gyms and health and fitness centers operating across the country in 2023. Australians of all ages utilize these facilities, with the largest demographic being those in the 25-35 age bracket. The growth in the fitness industry underscores the country's commitment to promoting active and healthy lifestyles, which is further bolstered by initiatives aimed at encouraging sports participation in both children and adults.
Despite the positive trend, there are still segments of the population who face barriers to participating in sports or physical activities. For Australians aged 15 and above, the primary obstacle is often poor health or injury. Additionally, adults living in areas of disadvantage are less likely to engage in physical activity, highlighting the importance of equitable access to sports and recreational resources.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 60% of the Australian population aged 15 and over (around 11.1 million people) participated in sport and physical recreation at least once during the 12 months prior to their interview in 2013-14. This figure dropped to 5.2 million when considering only those who played organised sport and physical activity.
The most popular sports in Australia vary by age group. For children aged 6-13, the most popular sports are swimming (41.6%), soccer (33.4%), cycling (25.7%), basketball (24.5%), and athletics/track and field (21.6%). For adults, the most popular sports are walking for exercise (53.9%), going to the gym/weight training (27.5%), jogging (15.4%), swimming (10.1%), and yoga (7.1%).
Participation rates in sport generally decrease with age in Australia. People aged 15-17 have the highest participation rate in sport and physical recreation (74%), while those aged 65 and over have the lowest rate (47%).
Men are more likely to participate in sport through a sports club or association, while women are more likely to participate through a gym, fitness club, or private/commercial business. Full-time students have the highest participation rates in sport (91%), while those living with a disability (68%), the unemployed (71%), and retirees or people on a pension (75%) have the lowest participation rates.
