Physical Activity
How Australians move and why being physically active matters.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes physical activity as any movement of the body that uses skeletal muscles and requires energy. 1
Common examples include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, participating in sport, going to the gym, dancing, active play with children, gardening, household chores, and physically demanding work. 2
Regular physical activity strengthens physical and mental wellbeing. By contrast, low activity levels and extended sedentary periods can increase the risk of chronic conditions and other adverse health outcomes. 1, 3
Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are significant contributors to preventable disease and place growing pressure on the health system. 1
In 2022, almost one in four (23.9%) Australians aged 15 years and over met the physical activity guidelines. 4
Participation - 2024
* For more data, including different time periods, access the AusPlay Data Portal, opens in a new tab.
An estimated 10,713,000 (48% of) Australians aged 15+ participated in physical activities at least three times per week. 5
An estimated 5,130,000 (47% of) Australian men and 5,522,000 (49% of) women [aged 15+] participated in physical activities at least three times per week. 5
An estimated 605,000 (18% of) Australian children [aged 5-14] participated in organised outside-of-school hours physical activities at least three times per week. 5
Estimated age group participation in physical activities at least three times per week [aged 15+] 5
Estimated participation in physical activities at least three times per week by State/Territory, [aged 15+] 5
- Australian Capital Territory - 226,000 (58%)
- New South Wales - 3,280,000 (47%)
- Northern Territory - 102,000 (50%)
- Queensland - 2,140,000 (47%)
- South Australia - 716,000 (46%)
- Tasmania - 256,000 (53%)
- Victoria - 2,836,000 (50%)
- Western Australia - 1,156,000 (48%)
Most popular physical activities [at least once per year] with estimated participants. 6
Young Adult aged 15-24 | Adult aged 25-54 | Mature Adult aged 55+ |
|---|---|---|
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Why Physical Activity Matters
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic disease and premature death. People who do not get enough physical activity have a 20–30% higher risk of early death compared with those who meet recommended levels. 1
Physical activity benefits across stages of life 1
Children and Young People | Adults and Older People | During Pregnancy and Post-Partum |
|---|---|---|
Being active supports:
| Regular physical activity helps to:
| Appropriate physical activity during and after pregnancy can:
Appropriate physical activity does not increase the risk of stillbirth or low birthweight. |
Factors Impacting Physical Activity
For Australians aged 15 years and over, improving or maintaining their physical health and enjoying the activity are consistently reported as key reasons why individuals participate in sport or recreational physical activities. In 2024, 65% of participants were motivated to participate for their physical health or fitness, and 59% for fun/enjoyment. 7
In 2024, around 18% of adults aged 18–64 identified lack of time or competing commitments as a key barrier to participating in sport or recreational physical activity. With increasing age, poor health or injury became more prominent, rising from around 11% among those aged 35–44 to 32% among adults aged 65 and over. 8
More information on factors influencing participation is available in the Participation in Sport topic.
Physical Activity Guidelines
Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines outline the recommended levels of activity for different age groups, the importance of reducing sedentary time, and the sleep requirements for children and young people. 3
The table below provides a snapshot of Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines. For more detailed information and practical advice, including for people with disability and/or chronic conditions and for during pregnancy, visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website, opens in a new tab.
Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines 3
Under 12 months | 1 to 2 years | 3 to 5 years | 5 to 17 years | 18 to 64 years | 65 years and over | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Physical activity | Floor play + 30 mins tummy time per day | 3 hours active play per day | 3 hours activity with 1 hour energetic play per day | At least 1 hour of moderate–vigorous activity daily (including vigorous 3+ days/week), plus several hours of light activity. | Be active most days: 2.5–5 hours moderate, 1.25–2.5 hours vigorous, or a combination each week. | At least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most (preferably all) days |
Strength | - | - | - | At least 3 days a week | At least 2 days a week | Incorporate fitness, strength, balance and flexibility |
Are we meeting the guidelines? | - | - | - | In 2022, 1 in 20 (5.6%) of 15–17 year-olds met the physical activity guidelines. 4 | In 2022, 1 in 5 (22.4%) of 18-64 year olds met the physical activity guidelines. 4 | In 2022, 1 in 3 (33.4%) of 65 years or older met the physical activity guidelines. 4 |
Australian Strategies and Data
Strategies
- National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030, opens in a new tab, The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032, opens in a new tab, The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- National Sport Strategy 2024–2034, opens in a new tab, The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
Statistics
- Physical activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics
- National Health Survey, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Physical activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- AusPlay, Australian Sports Commission
REFERENCES
- Physical Activity, opens in a new tab, World Health Organization (accessed 19 February 2026).
- Physical activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (accessed 24 February 2026).
- Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians, opens in a new tab, The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (accessed 20 February 2026).
- Physical activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics (15 December 2023).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Sport-related participation – frequency of participation, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 20 February 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 20 February 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Motivations for participation, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 20 February 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Barriers to participation, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 20 February 2026).
Last updated: 20 February 2026 Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer
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