Structure of Australian Sport
The structure of sport in Australia can provide insight into how the sector connects and operates from a national to local grassroots level.
Australian governments at all levels play a leading role in delivering sport and sport related policies and programs. This includes providing support and funding to sporting organisations, clubs, and individuals; being major investors and contributors to building and maintaining sports related infrastructure; and sponsoring the hosting of major sports events.
Australian sporting organisations and sports clubs—many operating as not-for-profit entities—play a pivotal role in the delivery of sport.
Other significant contributors to the sector include schools and universities; peak sports bodies and advocacy groups; participants, whether in a playing, coaching, officiating, or administrative capacity (in a paid or volunteer basis); retailers of sporting goods and equipment; media, publishing and news agencies; health, fitness, and medical practitioners; and many other service providers, organisations, and community groups.
System governance map – sport and active recreation
GOVERNMENT ENTITIES
| Commonwealth Minister for Sport | Other Commonwealth Ministers | |
| Department of Health & Aged Care |
Other Commonwealth Government Departments (example: education, tourism, environment) | |
| Australian Sports Commission (& AIS) | ||
|
Australian Sports Foundation Sport Integrity Australia National Sports Tribunal | ||
| State & Territory Ministers for Sport & Recreation | Other State & Territory Ministers | |
| State & Territory Departments / Offices of Sport & Recreation |
Other State & Territory Government Departments (example: education, tourism, environment) | |
| State & Territory Institutes & Academies of Sport | Venue Management Trusts | |
|
Australian Local Government Associations State Local Government Associations |
Local Government (example: Councils across Australia) | |
INDUSTRY
|
National Peak Advocacy & Representative Bodies for Sport
(example: WSA, COMPPS, AAA, CAS) |
National Sport Delivery
(Example: NSOs, Professional/Elite Sport) |
National Peak Advocacy & Representative Bodies for Active Recreation
(example: PLA, AUSactive ACHPER) | National Industry Specialist Organisations / Committees (example: AOC, PA, CGA, SMA, ANZSLA, ESSA) |
|
State & Territory Peak Advocacy & Representative Bodies for Sport
(Example: Vicsport, WASF, Sport NSW) |
State & Territory Sport Delivery
(example: Regional Academies, SSOs) |
State & Territory Peak Advocacy & Representative Bodies for Active Recreation
(example: Outdoors WA, VicHealth) | State & Territory Industry Specialist Organisations / Committees (example: State Olympic Councils) |
| Sports clubs, schools & higher education institutions |
Active recreation clubs, commercial providers, municipalities, community groups (example: YMCA, PCYC, parkrun) | ||
|
The sport & recreation community (example: players, coaches, officials, administrators, spectators, fans, volunteers) | |||
Government entities
Government entities
Federal government
The Australian Government plays a leadership role in sport from grassroots participation to elite levels. Key objectives include increasing participation (including playing, coaching, officiating, administrative roles, volunteers, etc.), achieving high performance sporting outcomes (e.g. medals at international events), safeguarding the integrity of sport, and supporting the growth and development of sport and sports industries. 4
Sport also contributes to other government objectives and priorities, including developing diverse and inclusive communities, individual and community health and wellbeing, and community and social development outcomes. 4
Information about current and historical sport policy in Australia is available in the Australian Sport Policy topic.
Office for Sport. The Office for Sport is responsible for providing the Minister for Sport with policy advice across an array of sport related issues. Responsibilities include policy development and implementation, appointments, program administration, development of legislation, supporting Australia’s international obligations and engagement, Commonwealth and state relations, and coordinating Australian Government support for the staging of major international sporting events. 4
Key documents
- Sport Horizon - National Sport Strategy 2024-2034, Commonwealth of Australia, (2024). Developed with and for the sport sector, this Strategy sets the priorities for sport in Australia over the next decade. It provides a framework to align our focus, efforts and resources, to realise our shared vision of healthy, active, connected communities and a thriving sport system.
- Sport Diplomacy 2030, Commonwealth of Australia, (2019). Australia recognises the power of sport to bring people and nations together. In 2015, when Australia released its first sport diplomacy strategy, we were a pioneer in the field. Sports Diplomacy 2030 is the second Australian sport diplomacy strategy, building on the success of the first strategy. Sports Diplomacy 2030 envisages closer collaboration between the Australian sports codes, industry and government to leverage the nation’s sporting excellence in ways that enhance Australia’s influence and reputation to advance our national interests.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport at all levels.
The ASC is a Commonwealth entity within the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care portfolio. The ASC was established in 1984 and operates under the Australian Sports Commission Act 1989 . It is governed by a board of commissioners appointed by the Australian Government. The board determines the overall direction, decides on allocation of resources and policy for delegated decisions, and is accountable to the Minister for Sport and the Australian Parliament.
The ASC's role is to increase involvement in sport and enable continued international sporting success through leadership and development of the sports sector, targeted financial support, and the operation of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
The AIS works in partnership with National Sporting Organisations (NSOs), the National Institute Network (NIN), and peak bodies (Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, and Commonwealth Games Australia) to deliver international sporting success.
Strategic vision
- Sport has a place for everyone and delivers results that make Australia proud.
Strategic goals
- Lead and enable the world’s best sport system.
- Involve more Australians with sport at all levels.
- Drive innovation in sport.
Key documents:
- The Australian Sports Commission’s Strategic Vision: Our Green and Gold decade of opportunity, Australian Sports Commission, (2022)
- Corporate Plan 2023-27, Australian Sports Commission, (2023)
- Australia's High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy: Win Well, Australian Sport Sector - led by the Australian Sports Commission, (2022)
- Australia's Participation Sport Strategy: Play Well, Australian Sport Sector - led by the Australian Sports Commission, (2023)
The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) helps Australian sporting clubs and individuals raise funds for their sport.
The ASF was established by the Federal Government in 1986 with the mission to raise money for Australian sport. It is Australia’s leading non-profit sports fundraising organisation and the only organisation to which donations for sport are tax-deductible. A subsidiary organisation, the Australian Sports Foundation Charitable Fund, was established in 2017 in order to access philanthropic funding from Private and Public Ancillary Funds to distribute to sporting beneficiaries.
Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) is the agency responsible for addressing all sport integrity issues. Legislation to create SIA was introduced to the Australian Parliament in response to the 'Review of Australia's Sports Integrity Arrangements' (Wood Review, 2018). The organisation incorporates the functions previously performed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), the National Integrity of Sport Unit (NISU), and the national sports integrity functions of the Australian Sports Commission.
SIA's role is to provide advice and assistance to counter the:
- Use of prohibited substances and methods in sport.
- Abuse of children and other persons in a sporting environment.
- Manipulation of sporting competitions.
- Failure to protect members of sporting organisations and other persons in a sporting environment from bullying, intimidation, discrimination, or harassment.
The agency focusses on policy development, intelligence, investigations (primarily of doping cases), education, outreach, and capability building, and is Australia's National Anti-Doping Organisation.
- Sport Integrity Australia Act 2020. The object of this Act is to establish Sport Integrity Australia to prevent and address threats to sports integrity and to coordinate a national approach to matters relating to sports integrity in Australia.
Purpose - Protection of the integrity of Australian sport and the health and welfare of those who participate in sport through the coordination of a national approach to all sports integrity matters.
Vision - Safe and fair sport for all.
Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC)
The ASDMAC performs its functions in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), the Sport Integrity Australia Act 2020, and the National Anti-Doping (NAD) scheme. Members of the Committee are directly appointed by the Federal Minister for Sport, and it operates independently of SIA. The members are senior specialist doctors who are all trained in sport and exercise medicine and have broad experience in professional, Olympic, and Paralympic sports as well as anti-doping medicine. This group is responsible for the assessment of TUEs and provision of anti-doping related medical advice to SIA, sporting bodies, and doctors.
The National Sports Tribunal (NST) provides independent, cost-effective national-level dispute resolution services to sporting bodies, athletes and support personnel. Tribunal Members can act as independent third parties to help resolve first-instance disputes or appeals. They offer a range of dispute resolution options – arbitration, mediation, conciliation and case appraisal – to help national level sporting bodies and their participants resolve disputes efficiently and affordably.
The NST has 3 divisions:
- Anti-Doping Division – deals with breaches of the anti-doping rules of a sport.
- General Division – deals with other disputes under the rules of a sport (e.g. disputes that might arise under a sport's Member Protection Policy).
- Appeals Division – deals with appeals from the Anti-Doping or General Divisions, as well as appeals from decisions made by ‘in-house’ sport tribunals.
Legislation to create the National Sports Tribunal was introduced to the Australian Parliament in 2019 in response to the 'Review of Australia's Sports Integrity Arrangements' (Wood Review, 2018).
- National Sports Tribunal Act 2019. An Act to establish the National Sports Tribunal, and for related purposes.
- National Sports Tribunal Bill 2019. Introduced with the National Sports Tribunal (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019 to implement certain recommendations of the Report of the Review of Australia's Sports Integrity Arrangements (the Wood review), the bill provides for the establishment and operation of the National Sports Tribunal as an independent specialist tribunal for the hearing and resolution of sporting disputes.
Federal government
The Australian Government is committed to supporting sport in Australia from grassroots to elite.
Government entities
State and Territory governments
State and Territory governments develop and implement policies and programs with a focus on community sport and active recreation participation, sports facility and infrastructure development, and high performance sport and talent pathway development.
Information on state and territory government high performance programs can be found in the High performance, National Institute Network (NIN) section.
Sport and Recreation. The ACT Government Sport and Recreation role is to provide leadership, support and to champion a sport and active recreation sector that is welcoming, progressive and sustainable.
Vision - All Canberrans moving more through sport and active recreation
Mission - To provide leadership, support and to champion a sport and active recreation sector that is welcoming, progressive and sustainable.
Office of Sport. The Office of Sport is the lead NSW Government agency for sport and active recreation. The Office of Sport aims to increase the levels of physical activity of the people of NSW by providing the leadership, policies, programs, funding and infrastructure necessary to enable higher rates of participation in sport and active recreation.
Vision - Sport and active recreation creating healthier people, connecting communities and making a stronger NSW.
Mission - Building Active Communities.
Sport and active recreation. The NT Government supports the delivery of sport and active recreation services to the community through a suite of grant programs aimed at increasing the number of Territorians who participate in sport and active recreation, and in turn receive physical health, wellbeing, social and community benefits.
Vision - Celebrated Communities, Vibrant Places, Active Territorians.
Mission - Partnering to build safe, strong and proud communities where every Territorian is valued and able to participate.
Department of Tourism and Sport. Investing in the community to enrich the Queensland way of life through sport and active recreation.
Vision - Physical activity enriches the Queensland way of life.
Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing [ORSR]. The lead agency for the Government's policy on sport and active recreation, the ORSR supports sport and recreation through the development of policy, programs and resources, the provision of funding, recreation and sport planning, infrastructure development, elite sport pathways and programs, and the promotion of physical activity.
Vision - Active State: Ensure lifelong movement, play and performance is part of our daily routine. Connected Communities: Bring people together to build strong, healthy, safe and more resilient communities. Inspire Performance: Empower people to achieve their sporting dreams.
Active Tasmania . Active Tasmania (formerly Sport and Recreation) develops and implements policies and initiatives to increase opportunities for all Tasmanians to participate in sport and active recreation. Their aim is to lead and develop a vibrant and inclusive sector by building the capacity of sport and active recreation organisations to provide safe, fair, and inclusive opportunities
Sport and Recreation Victoria . Sport and Recreation Victoria is dedicated to supporting Victoria’s sport and recreation sector and inspiring Victorians to get active.
Vision - To build a thriving, inclusive and connected sport and active recreation sector that benefits all Victorians.
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Promoting participation and achievement in sport and recreation to support a healthy lifestyle for all Western Australians through physical activity.
Vision - A vibrant, inclusive and resilient WA community.
Mission - To enable dynamic and inclusive communities and support the WA economy.
State and territory governments
State and Territory governments develop and implement community sport and recreation and talent pathway policies and programs.
Government entities
Local governments
Local governments across Australia play a significant role in supporting community sport. This includes facilitating a range of business development resources, providing funding to clubs and individuals, building and maintaining sports related infrastructure, and sponsoring the hosting of sports events.
Building a close working relationship with local government is an important step for all sport and active recreation organisations, especially when planning for new facilities and services.
New South Wales
- Office of Local Government (OLG). The OLG is the NSW Government agency responsible for strengthening the sustainability, performance, integrity, transparency and accountability of the local government sector. OLG has a policy, legislative, investigative and program focus in regulating the State’s 128 local councils.
Northern Territory
- Find your council, Northern Territory Government. Regional councils provide local government services to communities in remote areas, whereas municipal and shire councils provide services to communities in more populated areas of the NT.
Queensland
- State Department and Infrastructure. Local government plays an important role in community governance for Queensland's 77 local governments.
South Australia
- Local Councils. South Australia consists of 68 councils across the state and its remote communities.
Tasmania
- Local Government Association Tasmania. Tasmania is made up of 29 municipalities or local government areas (LGAs).
Victoria
- Know your council, Victoria Government. Find information about Victoria's 79 councils.
- Regional Sport Victoria (RSV). The peak body which supports nine independent organisations across regional Victoria. These nine organisations are classed as Regional Sports Assemblies (RSAs) and are charged with supporting the sport and recreation sector within their regional catchment. RSV and the nine RSAs work directly with 48 local government authorities in Victoria. RSV covers a population of over 1.45 million rural and regional Victorians and has a network of over 8,500 community based sport and recreation clubs.
Western Australia
- MyCouncil, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. The State is divided into districts, each with its own local government. Currently, there are 137 local governments in Western Australia.
- Working with local government, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Your local government authority is a key stakeholder for your club.
Local governments
Local governments across Australia play a significant role in supporting community sport.
High performance
High performance
Peak sporting bodies
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, committed to the development of youth and sport. It is their responsibility to select, send and fund Australian Teams to the Olympic Games. The Objectives of the AOC are set out in the constitution and have been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under the Olympic Charter which regulates IOC recognition of all National Olympic Committees.
AOC funding is derived from income distributions from the Australian Olympic Foundation, grants from the IOC, known as Olympic Solidarity, grants from the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs), sponsorship, licensing, and fundraising for Olympic Teams by the AOC, State/Territory Olympic Councils, and the Olympic Team Appeal Committees.
The AOC is represented by State/Territory Olympic Advisory Committees and State Olympic Councils in seven states and territories throughout Australia.
The AOC endorses a select number of training facilities, known as Olympic Training Centres, which support the development of high-performance athletes in Australia.
Role - Provide athletes the opportunity to excel at the Olympic Games and promote the values of Olympism and benefits of participation in sport to all Australians.
Paralympics Australia (PA) help Australians with disabilities participate in sport and compete at the Paralympic Games through partnerships with governments, business, sporting bodies, and the community. They are responsible for preparing the Australian Teams for the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
PA works with National Federation partners to help identify potential Paralympians and assist athletes to prepare for competition by providing funding for coaching, equipment, and travel in the lead up to the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. PA also strongly supports the concept that participation in sport provides positive social and physical benefits to people with disabilities and plays an important role in changing community perceptions of people with disabilities.
Purpose - We exist to lead Paralympic sport and create a more inclusive world.
Vision - To create the most successful era of Paralympic sport in Australia’s history.
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) is a member-based organisation (members are the National Sporting Organisations (NSO’s) representing the sports participating in Commonwealth Games). CGA receives no Federal Government funding and exists to administer, control, and coordinate the participation of program sports and their respective athletes and officials in the Commonwealth Games.
CGA is represented at State/Territory level by State Divisions. The role of State Divisions is to assist CGA in raising funds for each Commonwealth Games team and to promote the Commonwealth Games movement in their respective State/Territory.
Vision - Pursuing sporting excellence | Connecting with communities.
Peak sporting bodies
Working to deliver international sporting success.
High performance
National Institute Network (NIN)
Since the early 1980’s State and Territory governments have established institutes and academies of sport to assist their high-performance athletes.
The National Institute Network (NIN) comprises the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the eight State and Territory Institutes and Academies of Sport.
ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS). The ACTAS was formed in 1989 as the high performance arm of Sport and Recreation. ACTAS is an endorsed Official Olympic and Paralympic Training Centre providing high performance services and support to ACT elite and developing athletes from a variety of Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.
Vision - The leading high performance daily training environment to enhance talented ACT athletes.
Purpose - To contribute to Australia's high performance sport targets by providing a quality daily training environment that enhances athletic development through providing quality high performance programs and services.
New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS). Established in 1996, the NSWIS is a high performance sports organisation supporting Australian athletes to become world’s best.
Vision - More NSW athletes representing Australia and winning medals.
Purpose - To support Australian athletes to become world's best.
Northern Territory Sports Academy (NTSA). Established in 1996, the NTSA aims to support the Northern Territory (NT) sporting community to provide enriching environments that engage, recognise, and empower Territory athletes, coaches, officials and other key support personnel to optimise their potential and enhance their abilities to thrive in their sporting and non-sporting lives.
Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS). Established in 1991, the QAS is the Queensland Government’s high-performance sports agency responsible for preparing Queensland elite athletes, teams and coaches for world class success.
Vision - Inspiring extraordinary sporting success.
Mission 2024 - Optimise athlete performance to enable Queensland's best ever medal contribution.
Mission 2028 - Deliver more medals across more sports.
South Australian Sports Institute (SASI). Established in 1982, the SASI is the high-performance sports hub in South Australia and is committed to a vision of being the heart of South Australia’s sporting success. They support South Australian based coaches and athletes ensuring they have access to world leading coaching, sport science and medicine and facilities to achieve podium performances at World Championships, Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.
Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS). The TIS was established in 1985 by the Tasmanian Government to assist Tasmania's talented athletes achieve excellence in sport.
Vision - To be a world class centre for excellence that delivers Tasmania's largest, most successful cohort of Olympic and Paralympic athletes in 2032.
Purpose - Developing World Class athletes.
Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS). The VIS was established in 1990 by the State Government to assist Victoria’s best athletes achieve national and international success. The VIS provides advanced and specialised coaching, sports science and sports medicine services, career and education advice, and training and competition support.
Vision - Victorians are proud and inspired by our national and international sporting success.
Mission - To provide leadership that enables talented Victorian athletes to excel in sport and life.
Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). Established in 1983, the WAIS has a proud history of supporting Western Australian athletes achieve their sporting dreams.
Vision - Western Australian sporting champions creating community pride and inspiring the next generation.
Purpose - To enable Western Australian athletes to achieve international sporting success.
Historical timeline
1981 - The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was established
1982 - The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) was established
1983 - The Western Australian Institue of Sport (WAIS) was established
1985 - The Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) was established
1989 - The ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) was established
1990 - The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was established
1991 - The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) was established
1996 - The New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) and Northern Territory Sports Academy (NTSA) were established
2011 - In February 2011, the Sport and Recreation Ministers Council established a new National Institute partnership to fulfill national objectives. Subsequently, in June 2011, the National Institute System Intergovernmental Agreement was created to promote collaboration among high performance agencies, primarily focusing on the delivery of national sporting organisations' high performance plans.
2013 - In late 2013, the AIS and National Elite Sports Council (NESC) initiated an Independent Review of the NIN (July 2014) to evaluate state institutes, strategies, and alignment. The review produced 27 recommendations covering leadership, governance, capability, training environment, and system efficiency, advocating for new governance models to enhance national high performance efforts and accountability.
2019 - The National High Performance Strategy 2024 (NHPSS), focused on Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games outcomes. The NHPSS was a joint strategy of National Sporting Organisations (NSOs), the National Institute Network (NIN), and other system partners.
2022 - Australia's High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy, commonly known as HP2032+ or Win Well, focuses on optimising outcomes and sustainable success for Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports. Launched in December 2022, the strategy has been co-designed by Australia's High Performance Sport System, with the aim to foster collaboration, alignment, clarity and accountability across Australia’s High Performance Sport System.
National Institute Network (NIN)
Comprises the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the eight State and Territory Institutes and Academies of Sport.
High performance
Regional academies of sport
State and local government authorities help to fund regional academies. They work cooperatively with State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) to provide additional athlete support and training/competition opportunities for talented youth between the ages of 12 and 18 years.
In some states (New South Wales and Victoria) regional academy programs are funded through State governments. They have close working relationships with their respective State Institutes of Sport but maintain their own governance structure.
NSW Office of Sport supports and provides annual grants to the network of Regional Academies of Sport (RASi). A total of nine independent community based academies.
The NSW regional academies help developing athletes reach their potential by providing specialist services within a local environment. Regional academies provide a stepping stone for athletes on the pathway to elite athlete development as they progress from local club to NSW Institute of Sport support.
- Central Coast Academy of Sport (Mingara)
- Hunter Academy of Sport (Newcastle)
- Illawarra Academy of Sport (Wollongong)
- North Coast Academy of Sport (Lismore)
- Northern Inland Academy of Sport (Tamworth)
- South West Sydney Academy of Sport (Campbelltown)
- Southern Sports Academy (Wagga Wagga)
- Western Region Academy of Sport (Bathurst)
- Western Sydney Academy of Sport (Parramatta)
The Gold Coast Academy of Sport (GCAS) is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to provide locally based sports development opportunities for athletes, coaches, officials and administrators within the Gold Coast region of Queensland. The GCAS is the first in Queensland and currently offers a variety of talent performance sporting programs including basketball, AWD basketball, cricket, football (soccer), golf, rugby league, rugby union, rugby sevens, future stars within the school program, and future stars, which is an individual scholarship program providing development and support to athletes in a range of different sports that sit outside the other programs on offer. The GCAS receives funding from the Gold Coast City Council but is working to bolster funds by approaching the private sector. The GCAS relies on the support of its major business partners, community partners and sponsors aligned to each of the sporting programs on offer.
The Victorian Regional Academy of Sport Network includes six regional academies for emerging athletes beginning the high-performance pathway to elite competition. Each of these academies operates on a similar model to the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), with athletes supported by a range of high-performance services using a scholarship model.
- Barwon Sports Academy [Geelong]
- Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport [Bendigo]
- Gippsland Sports Academy [Newborough]
- SouthWest Academy of Sport [Warrnambool]
- Sunraysia Academy of Sport [Mildura]
- WestVic Academy of Sport [Ballarat]
The Regional Athlete Support Program is a statewide network supporting regional-based talented athletes, coaches and officials allowing them to continue their pathway development and progress from their home environment.
- Mid West Academy of Sport (Geraldton)
- South West Academy of Sport (Bunbury)
- Peel Regional Academy of Sports (Mandurah)
- Great Southern Academy of Sport (Albany)
Regional academies of sport
Providing additional athlete support and training/competition opportunities for talented youth.
Sporting organisations
Sporting organisations
National Sporting Organisations (NSOs)
National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) and National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability (NSODs) develop sport from community participation to high performance levels. NSO/Ds in most cases work closely with their respective State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) across Australian state and territory jurisdictions.
The Australian Sports Directory contains the names and contact details of NSO/Ds that are recognised by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) as the pre-eminent body for the development of their sport in Australia. Recognised NSO/D's may also receive funding for participation and/or high-performance outcomes.
National Sporting Organisations (NSOs)
Developing sport from community participation to high performance levels.
Sporting organisations
State Sporting Organisations (SSOs)
State Sporting Organisations (SSOs), sometimes also called State Sporting Associations (SSAs), are responsible for developing their sport from community participation to high performance levels in their respective jurisdictions.
They are normally required by state/territory governments to be affiliated with the recognised national governing body for the sport (NSO/NSOD) and to meet required governance standards. SSOs work closely with state/territory departments of sport and recreation, clubs in their jurisdiction, as well as the national body and other state sporting organisations in order to develop their respective sports.
State/territory departments of sport and recreation normally provide a list of recognised SSOs/SSAs, as well as relevant resources for organisations, on their websites.
State Sporting Organisations (SSOs)
Responsible for developing their sport from community participation to high performance levels in their respective jurisdiction.
Advocacy and professional bodies
Advocacy and professional bodies
Advocacy organisations
The Australian Athletes Alliance (AAA) is the peak body for Australia’s elite professional athletes. The AAA represents over 3,500 athletes through Australia’s major players’ and athletes’ associations:
- Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA)
- Australian Football League Players’ Association (AFL Players)
- Australian Netball Players’ Association (ANPA)
- Australian Basketballers’ Association (ABA)
- Professional Footballers Australia (PFA)
- Rugby League Players Association (RLPA)
- Australian Swimmers' Association (ASA)
- Australian Hockey Players' Association (AHPA)
The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) collaborates, advocates, and facilitates inclusive sport and physical activity for people with a disability, impairment, or limitation. The ASAPD is a collaboration between the National Sporting Organisations for People with a Disability (NSODs), that has been established with the support of the Australian Sports Commission.
NSODs include:
- Blind Sports Australia
- Deaf Sports Australia
- Disability Sports Australia
- Disabled Wintersport Australia
- Riding for the Disabled Australia
- Special Olympics Australia
- Sport Inclusion Australia
- Transplant Australia
Vision - All Australians have an opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Purpose - We collaborate, advocate, and facilitate inclusive sport and physical activity for people with a disability, impairment, or limitation.
The Centre for Multicultural Sport (CMSport) is a Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) initiative aiming to drive social change through sport. CMSport offer a range of training and consulting services designed to support the sporting sector, including but not limited to:
- diversity audits and reviews
- strategy and insights
- mentoring and coaching
The Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) is the united voice of Australia's seven major professional and participation sports:
- AFL
- Rugby Union
- Cricket
- Football
- Rugby League
- Netball
- Tennis
Community Sport Australia (CSA), previously known as the Australian State Sports Federation Alliance (ASSFA), is comprised of the State and Territory Sports Federations and collectively represents issues affecting community sport and active recreation in Australia. CSA communicates regularly and where appropriate provides a joint submission to Federal review and issues. CSA includes:
The Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) is an independent, not-for-profit industry voice committed to promoting the contribution of community sport and representing the interests of those organisations and peak bodies involved in community based sport and active recreation.
The Outdoor Council of Australia (OCA) is the national peak body that advocates for and represents organisations and individuals that employ outdoor adventure activities for the purposes of:
- Recreation
- Education
- Tourism
- Personal development
- Corporate development
The role of the OCA is to represent the views and needs of these organisations and individuals to the community, industry and to the federal government.
OCA members include
- Australian Camps Association
- Christian Venues Association
- Outdoor Education Australia
- Scouts Australia
- Outdoors NSW & ACT
- Outdoors SA
- Outdoors Queensland
- Outdoors Victoria
- Outdoors WA
Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) is the leading industry association for professionals in the sector. They support members through a range of services to provide opportunities that strengthen communities through good use of leisure time for the social, environmental, economic and physical wellbeing of all Australians.
PLA has been servicing and advocating for the parks and leisure industry since 1926.
Vision - For Australia to be the most liveable country in the world, renowned for its parks, sport, and recreation facilities that provide the foundation for healthy communities and liveable towns and cities.
Mission - To build, serve, and develop a strong and united parks and leisure industry in Australia.
Proud 2 Play champion inclusivity in sports. They offer a comprehensive range of education and capacity building programmes, all specifically designed to foster LGBTQI+ inclusion in community sports settings across Australia. Founded with a commitment to overcome the barriers to entry LGBTQI+ people face in sport and recreation, with offerings in the latest research and evidence-based practices.
Vision - An Australia where all LGBTQI+ folks can engage in sport and recreation without fear or discrimination.
Purpose - Reduce social isolation, stigma, and discrimination of LGBTQI+ folks through the power of sport and recreation to create safe and affirming spaces for participation.
Women Sport Australia is the peak national advocacy organisation for women in sport.
WSA is a volunteer, not-for-profit body that was incorporated in July 2005. It was formerly known as the Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA) and rebranded to become Women Sport Australia in 2017.
2026 Vision - We are the peak independent body for women and girls in sport in Australia, dedicated to making sport equitable for all.
Advocacy organisations
Organisations promoting and supporting sports interests.
Advocacy and professional bodies
Professional and specialist organisations
AUSactive is Australia’s peak body for the exercise and active health sector. Their goal is to activate Australians to move more, to improve national preventative health outcomes, and share this goal with everyone across the sector: with individuals and businesses, and across modalities ranging from gym classes to yoga, Pilates, aqua, and functional fitness.
The Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP) is the pre-eminent professional body representing Sport and Exercise Physicians and Sport and Exercise Medicine in Australasia. The ACSEP is dedicated to providing a robust training experience for its Registrars while advancing the skills of its members through evidence-based practice.
The Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA) is the premier not-for-profit sports law organisation in the Australasian region. Formed in 1990, ANZSLA now has a membership that includes lawyers, administrators, academics, government representatives and students.
Mission - To provide education, advocacy and networking opportunities about legal issues in sport in Australia and New Zealand.
Vision - To lead, inform and inspire interest in legal issues in sport.
The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) is the leading professional association representing teachers and other professionals working in the fields of health and physical education.
The purpose of ACHPER is to promote active and healthy living for all Australians through education and professional practice. ACHPER also provides programs and services that support continuing development of knowledge, skills and professional practice, focussing primarily on health education, physical education and recreation.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the peak body for psychology members in Australia. They are a progressive voice dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the population.
The Australian Society for Sports History (ASSH) is one of the largest sports history organisations in the world. It aims to promote, stimulate and encourage discussion, study, research, and publications on sporting traditions with special reference to Australia.
The Australian Sports Professionals Association (ASPA) is an industry association for individuals who work, volunteer or study in Australian sport—from club volunteers and paid administrators of small state/territory sports to CEOs and Board members of large national sports. It has been set up by the industry, for the industry.
The Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) serves as the official accrediting body for strength and conditioning coaches in Australia. They are dedicated to advancing the field of strength and conditioning by offering comprehensive professional development and coach education programs designed to cater to coaches of all experience levels.
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is a peak professional organisation representing about 11,000 members, including student members. They are committed to establishing, promoting and representing the career paths of tertiary-trained exercise and sports science practitioners including Accredited Exercise Physiologists, Accredited Exercise Scientists, Accredited Sports Scientists, and Accredited High Performance Managers.
Vision - All Australians use exercise and sports science to improve their health and performance.
Purpose - Provide industry leadership through advocacy, research, education and regulation to support exercise and sports science professionals and the Australian community in becoming a more active nation.
Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations at all levels with the inclusion of employees, athletes, volunteers and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.
Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA) is Australia’s peak professional body for dietitians specialising in sports nutrition.
Vision - For Accredited Sports Dietitians to be leaders in health and performance through sports nutrition.
Mission -To enhance the performance and health of all by supporting, educating and advocating the role of Sports Dietitians.
Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) is a not-for-profit organisation, with a purpose to lead, educate and empower the sport ecosystem to take action for and influence a sustainable and regenerative future.
The Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand was founded in November 1995. The principal aim of SMAANZ is to encourage scholarly inquiry into sport management related research and to provide the opportunity to present results from this research.
Sports Medicine Australia is the peak multidisciplinary body for sports medicine, sports science and physical activity in Australia. They represent the many professionals involved in these fields, from medical practitioners and allied health professionals to sports trainers, academics, teachers and others.
Vision - Enhanced health outcomes for all Australians through knowledge, training and safe participation in sport, exercise and physical activity.
Mission - To act as Australia’s peak multidisciplinary authority for sports medicine, sports science and physical activity.
Professional and specialist organisations
Organisations for specific sport and recreation interests.
Community sector
Community sector
Sport and active recreation clubs
'Club sport' is a fundamental building block of the Australian sport sector and assists in underpinning participation and elite performance pathways.
Sport and active recreation clubs make sport accessible to the Australian community. This provides a valuable contribution to society including benefits to health and well-being (physical, mental, social), inclusion, participation, volunteering, and community building and development.
While it has been estimated that there are over 70,000 registered not-for-profit sports clubs currently operating in Australia, ascertaining exactly how many clubs exist, including a definition of what constitutes a sports club, is difficult to quantify and confirm.
Sport and active recreation clubs
Sport and active recreation clubs make sport accessible to the Australian community.
Community sector
School sport
Schools play a very important role in making sport accessible to children and young people. The importance of school sport and physical education as a contributing factor to the overall activity level of children, and their physical, social, and cognitive development is emphasised in the literature, particularly among lower socio-economic groups. 5, 6 One of the significant barriers to participation in extra-curricular sport is ‘cost’ and this factor is somewhat eased in the school setting. 6, 7
Since its establishment in 1981, School Sport Australia has been responsible for the development and promotion of school sport in Australia.
More information about the role and value of sport in schools can be found in the Sport in Education topic.
Sporting Schools
Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools increase children's participation in sport and connect them with community sport opportunities.
Sporting Schools programs are provided free to children and their families to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life.
To help achieve this, the Australian Sports Commission has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations (NSOs) and national sporting organisations for people with disability (NSODs). There is a program for primary schools, and a targeted program for Year 7 and 8 students in secondary schools.
School sport
Schools play a very important role in making sport accessible to children and young people.
Community sector
University sport
Tertiary education providers play an important role in delivering sport across the Australian sport sector.
UniSport Australia is the peak governing body of university sport in Australia. They promote and foster the importance of university sport as an integral part of university life at 43 member universities, who collectively represent more than one million students nationwide.
Their primary focus is providing expertise and leadership in university sport.
Vision - Active Students; Lifelong Success.
Mission - In partnership with universities we are driving student success by demonstrating the value of sport through evidence-based advocacy and providing participation and competition programs locally nationally and internationally.
Key documents:
- Strategic Plan 2022-2025 (December 2021)
- The Value of Sport (June 2021)
- Strategy 2020 (November 2017)
- The Case for Change (July 2017)
Australian Universities
Many Australian universities are recognised world-wide for excellence and innovation relating to sport, active recreation, and health research. Additionally, universities recognise the health and wellbeing benefits that sport can bring to students and staff.
Several universities have developed strategic plans that clearly identify priorities in becoming leading institutions for research, innovation, equity, and participation in sport. Examples include:
- Ahead of the Game Sports Strategy, Queensland University of Technology, (2023).
- Changing the Game: UOW Sports Strategy 2023-2028, University of Wollongong Australia, (2023).
- Griffith Sport Pride Strategic Plan 2023-2025, Griffith University Sport, (2023).
- Women in Sport Strategic Plan 2022-2026, Griffith University, (2022).
- Game On: UC Sport Strategy 2021-2026, University of Canberra, (2021).
- Sport Strategic Plan, University of Queensland, (2021).
Australian Universities may also provide support for elite athletes (e.g. Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games athletes) in three main ways:
- The Elite Athlete Education Network (EAEN) is a national network that supports Australian athletes within the high-performance sport system. Partnered universities, TAFEs, and other education providers help to support elite athletes for the duration of their course study. This ensures their educational experiences are rewarding, flexible, and help them acquire the skills and qualifications needed to follow their passions and interests outside of sport. Endorsed members of the EAEN commit to a range of guiding principles and minimum standards through consultation with the AIS.
- Some scholarship assistance is also available from select Australian universities on the basis of athletic and academic potential/performance.
- Intra and inter-university competition, with a pathway to international university sport (FISU) events.
University sport
Tertiary education providers play an important role in delivering sport across the Australian sport sector.
Community sector
Preventive health and fitness
The fitness industry plays a significant role in the sport and active recreation sector in Australia with the AusPlay survey reporting that an estimated 36% of the adult population (15+) participate in fitness or gym (including Crossfit). 8
AUSactive (formerly Fitness Australia), the peak health and fitness industry association, reports that their members include 15,000 professionals, 3,500 fitness, yoga and Pilates businesses, 4,000 students, 200 Continuing Education Credit providers, and over 40 Quality Accredited businesses who are leading the way in quality service delivery in an industry with over 8.3 million active consumers. 9
Preventive health and fitness
The fitness industry plays a significant role in the sport and active recreation sector in Australia.
- Sports Industry Economic Analysis: Exploring the size and growth of the sport industry in Australia, KPMG for the Office for Sport, Department of Health, (March 2020)
- AusPlay report: non-playing roles and volunteering, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 8 March 2024).
- Volunteers, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (7 September 2023).
- Australian Government Sports Ecosystem Rapid Review, Proximity, (December 2022).
- Brain Boost: How sport and physical activity enhance children’s learning, what the research is telling us, Smith J, Government of Western Australia, Department of Sport and Recreation (2015).
- The longitudinal study of Australian children: 2012 Annual Report: Chapter 9, How engaged are children in organised sport and other physical activity during their late primary school years? Mullan K and Maguire B, Growing up in Australia, Australian Institute of Family Studies, (2013).
- Barriers to voluntary participation in sport for children: a systematic review, Sarah Somerset and Derek J. Hoare, BMC Pediatrics, Volume 18, article 47, (February 2018).
- AusPlay: Fitness/Gym Report, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 19 March 2024).
- 2022-2023 Annual Report, AUSactive, (2023).
Last updated: 19 March 2024
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