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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:

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
  1. The History of Taekwondo in Australia, opens in a new tab, No's Taekwondo, (25 April 2023).
  2. AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tabAustralian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 May 2026).
  3. Australian History of Taekwondo, opens in a new tab, AJS Self Defence, (accessed 20 January 2026).
  4. History, opens in a new tab, Australian Taekwondo, (accessed 15 May 2026).
  5. 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.

Taekwondo Australia annual report 1985-1986, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1997-1998, 1999-2000, 2005, 2011-2020 not held.

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