Taekwondo
A Korean martial art that uses kicking and punching techniques.
Taekwondo was established in Australia during the 1960s, when instructors from Korea first came and taught their skills. 4
The Australian Taekwondo Association was established in 1974 as the first national body for Taekwondo. 1, 3
Discover more about taekwondo through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make taekwondo more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about taekwondo.
Evolution:
- Australian Taekwondo Association [1974-199?]
- Taekwondo Australia [199?-2014]
- Sports Taekwondo Australia 2014-2019]
- Australian Taekwondo [2019-]
Participation
An estimated 26,000 Australians [aged 15+] participated in taekwondo at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 39,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in taekwondo at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 10,000 Australian women and 16,000 men [aged 15+] participated in taekwondo at least once in 2025. 2
Explore further participation statistics for taekwondo through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Australian Taekwondo, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sport of taekwondo in Australia.
Leading into the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the Australian Taekwondo Association became known as Taekwondo Australia. In 2014—supported by both the Australian Sports Commission and the World Taekwondo Federation—Taekwondo Australia and Sports Taekwondo Australia agreed to merge to create TKD Sports Taekwondo Australia Ltd as the new, single body of taekwondo in Australia. They remained under that name until 2019 when the organisation was renamed to Australian Taekwondo. 3, 4, 5
REFERENCES
- The History of Taekwondo in Australia, opens in a new tab, No's Taekwondo, (25 April 2023).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 May 2026).
- Australian History of Taekwondo, opens in a new tab, AJS Self Defence, (accessed 20 January 2026).
- History, opens in a new tab, Australian Taekwondo, (accessed 15 May 2026).
- Merger puts taekwondo on the right path, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (18 September 2014).
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.
- Australian Taekwondo Annual Report 2024-2025[PDF • 5.82 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Annual Report 2023-2024[PDF • 2.84 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Annual Report 2022-2023[PDF • 12.89 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Annual Report 2022[PDF • 3.2 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Annual Report 2021[PDF • 6.64 mb]
- Sports Taekwondo Australia Chairman's Report 2015-2016[PDF • 199.64 kb]
- Sports Taekwondo Australia Chairman's Report 2014-2015[PDF • 252.2 kb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2009-2010[PDF • 2.42 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2008-2009[PDF • 2.47 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2008[PDF • 2.3 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2007[PDF • 4.86 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2006[PDF • 3.94 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2004[PDF • 6.78 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2003[PDF • 1.5 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2002[PDF • 5.86 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 2000-2001[PDF • 4.71 mb]
- Taekwondo Australia Annual Report 1998-1999[PDF • 4.97 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1993-1994[PDF • 5.14 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1992-1993[PDF • 4.08 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1991-1992[PDF • 2.51 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1989-1990[PDF • 1.43 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1988-1989[PDF • 2.25 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1987-1988[PDF • 3.48 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1986-1987[PDF • 2.34 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Association Annual Report 1984-1985[PDF • 3.15 mb]
Taekwondo Australia annual report 1985-1986, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1997-1998, 1999-2000, 2005, 2011-2020 not held.
- Sports Taekwondo Australia Financial Report 2015-2016[PDF • 446.58 kb]
- Sports Taekwondo Australia Financial Report 2014-2015[PDF • 700.13 kb]
- Sports Taekwondo Australia Financial Report 2013-2014[PDF • 676.07 kb]
- Australian Taekwondo Strategic Plan 2025-2028[PDF • 2.11 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Strategic 2023: Connecting Everybody[PDF • 1000.91 kb]
- Taekwondo Australia Strategic Plan 2021-2024[PDF • 1.75 mb]
- Australian Taekwondo Strategic Plan 2017-2020 (updated May 2019)[PDF • 291.04 kb]
- Sports Taekwondo Australia Strategic Plan 2015-2020 Summary[PDF • 136.12 kb]
- Sports Taekwondo Australia Strategic Plan 2015-2020[PDF • 162.32 kb]
- Taekwondo Australia Strategic Plan 2001-2006[PDF • 4.34 mb]
