Sport and Persons with Disability
Disability is something which can affect anyone in the community.
It can be caused by disease, illness, hereditary conditions, an accident or injury. Persons with disability may have physical, sensory, speech, intellectual, psychosocial, head injury, stroke, acquired brain injury, or other restrictions in everyday activities due to long-conditions or ailments. 1
People with disability receive the same physical, mental, and social benefits from participating in sport and physical activity as those without disability. 2, 3, 4, 5 Legally, Australians of all abilities should have access to sport and physical activity opportunities. 6
Approximately 1 in 5 (21%, or 5.5 million) people in Australia have disability. More than 1 in 3 (37%) of people with disability have severe or profound disability (about 2 million people). 10
Participation - 2024
An estimated 501,000 (14% of) persons with disability [aged 18+] participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
An estimated 257,000 (17% of) men [aged 18+] and 232,000 (12% of) women [aged 18+] with disability participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 7
An estimated 416,000 (12% of) persons with disability [aged 18+] were involved in a non-playing role at least once in 2024. 8
Estimated age group participation in sport-related activities at least once a week by persons with disability [aged 18+] 7
Estimated State/Territory participation in sport-related activities at least once a week by persons with disability [aged 18+] 7
- Australian Capital Territory - 9,000 (17%)
- New South Wales - 138,000 (14%)
- Northern Territory* - 6,000 (25%)
- Queensland - 113,000 (14%)
- South Australia - 29,000 (10%)
- Tasmania - 10,000 (12%)
- Victoria - 145,000 (16%)
- Western Australia - 52,000 (15%)
*estimate has a relative margin of error between 50% and 100% and should be used with caution
Most popular sport-related activities for persons with disability (estimated participants) 9
Young Adult aged 18-24 | Adult aged 25-54 | Mature Adult aged 55+ |
|---|---|---|
Running/jogging - 49,000 Swimming - 39,000 Football/soccer - 19,000 Basketball - 17,000 Cycling - 17,000 | Swimming - 209,000 Running/jogging - 106,000 Cycling - 83,000 Football/Soccer - 42,000 Tennis - 38,000 | Swimming - 173,000 Cycling - 97,000 Golf - 57,000 Bowls - 19,000 Running/jogging - 28,000 |
*estimate has a relative margin of error between 50% and 100% and should be used with caution
Topic Focus
Benefits of Sport
The benefits of regular sport and physical activity are numerous and supported by a broad body of research and evidence.
Factors influencing participation
There are hundreds of factors that can influence sports participation or non-participation.
Equity
Persons with disability are generally under-represented in sport leadership, administration, coaching, officiating, and media.
Policies, programs, and supporting structures
Australian and international initiatives to support and encourage participation and leadership in all aspects of sport.
Awards and recognition
Over the years, many sportspeople with disability have been recognised for their contribution to sport and society.
Disability sport in Australia timeline
A brief overview of some of key events and organisational milestones in the history of disability sport in Australia.REFERENCES
- People with disability in Australia, opens in a new tab, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (updated 23 April 2024).
- Adaptive sports for promoting physical activity in community-dwelling adults with stroke: A feasibility study, opens in a new tab, Pradeepa Nayak, Amreen Mahmood, Senthil Kumaran, et al., Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 28, pp.341-347, (October 2021).
- Sport participation after the HandbikeBattle: benefits, barriers, facilitators from the event—a follow-up survey, opens in a new tab, Sonja de Groot, Ingrid Kouwijzer, Linda Valent, et al., Spinal Cord Series and Cases, Volume 6, Article number: 54, (June 2020).
- Parents’ Perspectives on Adaptive Sports in Children with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities, opens in a new tab, Marion Neyroud, Christopher Newman, children, Volume 8(9), (September 2021).
- Exploring Direct and Indirect Associations of Exercise and Sport Participation with Employment among Individuals with Disabilities: A Scoping Review, opens in a new tab, Azar Varahra, Hiba Ahmed, Sally Lindsay, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, Volume 32, pp.44-54, (2022).
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992, opens in a new tab, Australian Government, (latest version: 14 October 2024).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Sport-related participation – frequency of participation, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 21 May 2025)
- AusPlay Data Portal: Sport-related participation – non-playing roles, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 29 June 2023)
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 29 June 2023)
- Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: 2022, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), (4 July 2024).
Last updated: 10 July 2025 Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer
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