Shooting
A sport involving the use of a gun such as a rifle, shotgun, or pistol to shoot at a target with the aim of scoring the highest number of points.
Shooting clubs were first established across Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales as early as 1867.
The Australian Shooting Association was established in 1956 as a requirement to allow athletes to compete in the Melbourne Olympic Games. 1
Discover more about shooting through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make shooting more inclusive and accessible.
Evolution:
- Australian Shooting Association [1956-?]
- Australian International Shooting [2005-2013]
- Shooting Australia [2013-]
Participation
An estimated 31,000 Australians [aged 15+] participated in shooting at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 1,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in shooting at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 5,000 Australian women and 25,000 men [aged 15+] participated in shooting at least once in 2025. 2
Explore further participation statistics for shooting through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Shooting Australia, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the national controlling body for target shooting sports in Australia.
Shooting Australia works in collaboration with the Australian Clay Target Association, the National Rifle Association Australia, Pistol Australia, Sporting Clays Australia, and Target Rifle Australia.
REFERENCES
- The History, opens in a new tab, Pistol Australia, (accessed 21 January 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 6 May 2026).
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2024-2025[PDF • 9.01 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2023-2024[PDF • 9.18 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2022-2023[PDF • 12.46 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2021-2022[PDF • 11.71 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2020-2021[PDF • 15.15 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2019-2020[PDF • 3.98 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2018-2019[PDF • 2.91 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2017-2018[PDF • 3.39 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2016-2017[PDF • 3.27 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2015-2016[PDF • 1.05 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2014-2015[PDF • 4.96 mb]
- Shooting Australia Annual Report 2013-2014[PDF • 30.31 mb]
- Australian International Shooting Annual Report 2012-2013[PDF • 1.51 mb]
- Australian International Shooting Annual Report 2011-2012[PDF • 6.12 mb]
- Australian International Shooting Annual Report 2010-2011[PDF • 1.32 mb]
- Australian International Shooting Annual Report 2009[PDF • 2.23 mb]
- Australian International Shooting Annual Report 2007[PDF • 372.44 kb]
- Australian International Shooting Annual Report 2006[PDF • 180.65 kb]
Australian International Shooting Annual Report 2008 not held.
- Shooting Australia LA 2028+ High Performance Strategic Plan[PDF • 1.15 mb]
- Shooting Australia High Performance Strategic Plan 2020-2024[PDF • 10.54 mb]
- Shooting Australia High Performance Selection Strategy 2017-2020[PDF • 270.85 kb]
- Shooting Australia Strategic Plan 2016-2020[PDF • 576.84 kb]
- Australian International Shooting Strategic Plan 2012-2016[PDF • 628.91 kb]
- Australian International Shooting Strategic Plan 2006-2012[PDF • 188.98 kb]
