Children and Youth in Sport
The early years of a child’s life, adolescence, and early adulthood are crucial periods in which to establish lifelong behaviours. 1
Playing sport during these years can provide lifelong benefits to physical, mental, social, and economic wellbeing. Children and youth who grow up playing sport are more likely to remain active as adults, and to have improved resilience and social connectedness. 1, 2
In line with the AusPlay survey and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports we have defined children as those aged 0-14, and youth as those aged 15-24. These ages cover important milestones, up to and including university studies and early employment when sport participation can drop significantly. There will be some cross-over between groups depending on research and data available. 3, 4, 5
In June 2024 Australia’s estimated resident population was 27,196,812 people, 18% (4,793,752) were aged 0-14 years, and 13% (3,449,714) were aged 15-24 years. 6
Participation - 2024
Children aged 0-14
An estimated 1,722,000 (36%) of children aged 0-14 participated in organised outside-of-school hours, sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
An estimated 888,000 (36%) of boys and 830,000 (36%) of girls aged 0-14 participated in organised outside-of-school hours, sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
Youth aged 15-24
An estimated 1,433,000 (42%) of Australians aged 15-24 participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
An estimated 830,000 (48%) of males and 755,000 (36%) of females aged 15-24 participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
An estimated 200,000 (20%) of individuals aged 15-17 and 530,000 (22%) of those aged 18-24, were involved in a non-playing role at least once in 2024. 8
Estimated sport-related participation by age group 7
Estimated sport-related state/territory participation 7
Children (0-14) - organised outside-of-school hours, sport-related activity at least once a week Youth (15-24) - sport-related activity at least once a week
Children 0-14 | Youth 15-24 | |
|---|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory | 30,000 (36%) | 21,000 (38%)* |
New South Wales | 523,000 (35%) | 428,000 (40%) |
Northern Territory | 18,000 (35%)* | 9,000 (34%)* |
Queensland | 364,000 (36%) | 281,000 (40%) |
South Australia | 102,000 (32%) | 95,000 (44%) |
Tasmania | 32,000 (34%) | 18,000 (32%)* |
Victoria | 464,000 (38%) | 411,000 (46%) |
Western Australia | 189,000 (35%) | 169,000 (44%) |
*estimate has a relative margin of error between 50% and 100% and should be used with caution
An estimated 70,000 (27% of) Australian youth [aged 18-24 years] with a disability participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
An estimated 62,000 (30% of) First Nations' youth [aged 18-24 years] participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
An estimated 238,000 (39% of) Australian youth [aged 18-24 years] who speak a language other than English (LOTE) at home participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
Most popular sport-related activities with estimated annual participants 9
Children (0-14) - organised outside-of-school hours sport-related activity Youth (15-24) - sport-related activity
Children aged 0-8 | Children aged 9-14 | Youth aged 15-17 | Youth aged 18-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
Swimming - 744,000 Football/Soccer - 317,000 Gymnastics - 232,000 Australian Football - 125,000 Basketball - 101,000 Running/jogging - 78,000 Athletics, track and field - 75,000 Tennis - 69,000 Cycling - 69,000 DanceSport - 68,000 | Swimming - 378,000 Football/Soccer - 354,000 Basketball - 214,000 Australian Football - 155,000 Netball - 181,000 Tennis - 114,000 Cricket - 105,000 Gymnastics - 96,000 Running/jogging - 81,000 Athletics, track and field - 78,000 | Running/jogging - 264,000 Swimming - 182,000 Football/Soccer - 173,000 Basketball - 165,000 Volleyball - 105,000 Netball - 77,000 Badminton - 75,000 Tennis - 72,000 Cricket - 63,000 Cycling - 61,000 | Running/jogging - 639,000 Swimming - 343,000 Football/Soccer - 294,000 Basketball - 278,000 Tennis - 169,000 Australian Football - 151,000 Cycling - 149,000 Netball - 137,000 Cricket - 98,000 Volleyball - 96,000 |
REFERENCES
- Adolescent participation in sports and adult physical activity, opens in a new tab, Tuija Tammelin, Simo Näyhä, Andrew Hills, et al., American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 24(1), pp.22-28, (2003) quoted in Intergenerational Review of Australian Sport - 2017, BCG Consulting for the Australian Sports Commission, (2017).
- The value and benefits of sport, Clearinghouse for Sport, (accessed 8 July 2025).
- AusPlay methodology, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 8 July 2025).
- Health of Children, opens in a new tab, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (updated 16 April 2024).
- Health of young people, opens in a new tab, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (updated 16 April 2024).
- National, state and territory population: December 2024, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics (19 June 2025).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Sport-related participation – frequency of participation, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 May 2025).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Non-playing roles, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 May 2025).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 May 2025).
Last updated: 06 October 2023 Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer
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