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Sport is an integral part of Australian culture, with a range of mainstream sports established in the country since the early colonial period. In recent years, Australians have been redefining the way they play, with sporting activities moving beyond clubs to parks, streets, and backyards. This shift has been accompanied by the evolution of sports organisations, which now offer various formats to cater to the diverse needs of their participants, including children, adults, women, and seniors. Walking for exercise has emerged as the most popular sport or activity among Australians, with over half of adults aged 14 and above regularly going for vigorous strolls. In addition to walking, other popular physical activities include gym training, jogging, swimming, yoga, and cycling.
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What You'll Learn
6 million adults play organised sport
Sport is an integral part of Australian culture, with nearly 6 million adults (26%) participating in organised sports. This number includes people involved in playing roles (26% of people aged 15 and above) and those in non-playing roles (7.7%). The most popular team sports in Australia, with over half a million adult players each, are soccer, basketball, Australian rules football, cricket, netball, and touch football/rugby league.
The Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) AusPlay survey, a large-scale national survey, provides insights into Australians' sporting behaviours. According to AusPlay, in 2024, the most popular physical activities for adults were walking, including bushwalking, fitness, running, cycling, pilates, and yoga, with each activity attracting over a million participants.
Australians are increasingly choosing to exercise outdoors in local parks, streets, and beaches or at home, with informal activities proving most popular. This shift has prompted sporting organisations to adapt and create new ways to engage Australians of all ages and abilities.
Walking for exercise is the most popular sport or activity among Australian adults, with over half (53.9%) regularly going for vigorous strolls. This is followed by going to the gym or weight training, with 4 million participants, and jogging, with almost 2.3 million regular participants.
The participation rate in organised sports is generally higher among younger adults, with those aged 15-24 having the highest involvement (44%). Additionally, full-time students are the most likely demographic to participate in sports and physical activities (91%).
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1.3 million children play sport
Sports are an integral part of Australian culture, with a variety of sports being played since the early colonial period. Cricket, Australian rules football, rugby union, tennis, soccer, basketball, netball, and rugby league are some of the most popular mainstream sports in the country.
In recent years, Australians have been redefining the way they play, with sporting activities moving beyond clubs to parks, streets, and backyards. This shift has prompted sports organizations to adapt and create new ways to engage Australians of all ages and abilities.
Among children, soccer and basketball are the most popular team sports, with many also participating in swimming and athletics. According to the Australian Sports Commission, nearly 1.3 million children are actively involved in sports through clubs or associations in addition to their school activities. This participation rate is crucial in establishing lifelong habits and behaviors.
The Australian Sports Commission's AusPlay report provides insights into children's participation in organized physical activities outside of school hours. The report also highlights the importance of parental involvement, with children more likely to participate if their parents are also physically active.
The benefits of sports participation extend beyond physical health, as it also contributes to mental health and builds resilience. Initiatives like the Play Well Strategy aim to break down barriers and ensure that all Australians who want to be involved in sports can do so. These efforts reflect a broader recognition of the positive impact of sports on individuals and communities.
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4 million adults do sport in public spaces
Sport is an integral part of Australian culture, with many Australians choosing to participate in sports and physical activities. In the 2013-14 financial year, an estimated 5.2 million people aged 15 years and over reported involvement in organised sports and physical activities, with 4.7 million of these in playing roles. This equates to 28% of people in this age group.
However, the way Australians participate in sports is evolving, with a shift towards public spaces and informal activities. This is reflected in the fact that 4 million Australian adults participate in some type of organised sport or physical activity in public spaces or free community facilities. This shift may be due to the convenience and accessibility of public spaces, as well as the social and mental health benefits of participating in sports in community settings.
Public spaces such as local parks, streets, and beaches have become popular venues for sports and physical activities. This trend is not limited to any particular age group, with Australians of all ages embracing these new ways to stay active. Sporting organisations are also adapting to this change by creating new formats and opportunities to engage people from diverse backgrounds and ability levels.
The popularity of public spaces for sports and physical activities highlights the importance of accessibility and community engagement. It also showcases the creativity and adaptability of Australians in redefining the way they play and stay active. This trend towards public spaces and informal activities is likely to continue, with sporting organisations committed to breaking down barriers and making sports inclusive for all.
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53.9% of adults regularly walk for exercise
Sport is an integral part of Australian culture, and Australians are increasingly redefining the way they play. Walking for exercise is the most popular sport or activity that Australians regularly participate in, with 53.9% of adults aged 14 and over going for a vigorous stroll. This is a significant increase of around 1.6 million participants since 2019.
Walking is a simple and accessible way to improve physical and mental health, and it's no surprise that it's the top choice for many Australians. It doesn't require any specialised equipment or training and can be easily incorporated into daily routines, such as walking to work or school, or taking a walk during lunch breaks. Walking is also a social activity, as people often walk with friends, family, or pets. It's a great way to explore neighbourhoods, discover new places, and connect with nature.
The popularity of walking as exercise aligns with the trend of Australians choosing to get active outdoors in local parks, streets, and beaches. Public spaces play an integral role in promoting physical activity, with 61% of adults opting to exercise outside. This shift towards outdoor exercise is embraced by sporting organisations, which are creating new ways to engage Australians of all ages and abilities in these settings.
Walking also has environmental benefits, reducing the use of cars and promoting sustainable modes of transportation. It contributes to a healthier and more connected community, as people walk and interact in shared public spaces. Additionally, walking can lead to further exploration of nature through activities like hiking or bushwalking, which is also popular among Australians.
The high participation rate in walking as exercise contributes to the overall physical activity levels in Australia. Almost half (48%) of Australian adults exercise at least three times a week, and full-time students have the highest participation rate at 91%. These rates are supported by various government initiatives and organisations, such as the Australian Sports Commission, which promotes and invests in sports at all levels.
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1.7 million adults swim
Swimming is Australia's leading sport, with over six million Australians participating in swimming either regularly or occasionally. This number includes both adults and children. In the financial year 2023, it was estimated that over 3.5 million people aged over 15 years old in Australia participated in swimming. This figure represents an increase in swimming participation since 2017-18, when 3.95 million adults were involved in the sport.
Swimming is particularly popular among women and girls, who represent 54.8% of total swimming participation, or 3.45 million participants. Swimming is also the leading sport for people with disabilities, with 573,000 participants, and for those who speak a language other than English at home, with 995,000 participants.
The popularity of swimming in Australia can be attributed to various factors, including its role in the Australian psyche and identity, as well as the sense of connection that Australians feel for the water. Swimming is also a sport that can be enjoyed at any age and ability level, making it accessible to a wide range of people.
The high participation rates in swimming have led to the development of nearly 1,000 swimming clubs and 90,000 registered members of Swimming Australia, the peak body for swimming in the country. Swimming Australia aims to create a nation of swimmers admired by the world and is committed to working with stakeholders and the government to develop life skills, prevent drownings, build participation, and invest in infrastructure.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 60% of the population (or 11.1 million people) participated in sport and physical recreation at least once in 2013-14. This figure dropped to 5.2 million when counting only those who played organised sport and physical activity.
In 2022, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was the most active state/territory, with 49% of adults and children participating in sport-related activities at least once a week. Nearly a quarter of children (around 1.3 million) are active through a sports club or association outside of school hours.
Walking for exercise is the most popular sport or activity for Australians, with 53.9% of adults going for a vigorous stroll. This is followed by going to the gym (4 million people), jogging (2.3 million), swimming (1.7 million), yoga (1.3 million) and cycling (1.15 million). The most played team sports are soccer, basketball, Australian rules football, cricket, netball and touch football/rugby league.
Sport in Australia is organised at the national, state and local levels. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is the government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport at all levels. There are over 120 different national sports organisations overseeing sport in Australia.
According to the National Cricket Census, a record 1,650,030 people played cricket across Australia in 2018-19, including 496,484 women.
