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AusPlay


AUSPLAY TM

RESULTS - from July 2023 onwards

A new baseline has been established with the 2023-24 data. It cannot be directly compared with figures from 2015-2023.

AusPlay collects national, state and territory data on over 600 different participation sports and activities in Australia and who is participating in them.

In July 2023 AusPlay shifted from phone to online data collection. This major methodological transition introduced a break in the time series and trends have re-started with the October 2024 release of new data.

On 31 October 2024 the Australian Sports Commission released:

  • A summary of the main changes.
  • Detailed information about the changes.
  • Technical reports and other supporting information that provide context for the new results.
  • New national, state/territory and sport data tables for the 2023-24 financial year.

AusPlay Survey advancements: Detailed information about the changes

This document outlines the recent changes and improvements made to the AusPlay survey.

AusPlay has changed



After almost eight years of phone interviewing, data collection shifted to online in July 2023 as phone interviewing had become unsustainable. A comparison of the differences between the two methods for AusPlay is provided below:

Data collected from October 2015 to June 2023
Data collected from July 2023 onwards

Methodology

Phone (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)

Online
Sampling

Random digit dialling (landline or mobile)

Use of multi-panel sample source
Format

Interviewer administered

Self-completion
Mode

Verbal

Visual

The methodology change was also an opportunity to reset and improve the survey where possible:

  • Larger sample size: A more cost-effective survey enabled the doubling of the national sample size from 20,000 to 40,000.
  • More activities: A broader and searchable activity list was created, which now includes emerging and virtual versions of sports.
  • Optimised content: Some questions have been optimised to capture better and/or more granular data.
  • New content: A shorter average completion time for similar content allowed the inclusion of new questions.
  • Links to further research: The new data collection platform has the potential to be used as a recruitment tool for further targeted research.
Evolution of national sport and physical activity participation surveys

Since 2001, government initiatives have used sport and physical recreation participation estimates as performance indicators, initially from the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) and later by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). After the ABS ceased funding in June 2014, the ASC filled this significant data gap through AusPlay.

  • 2001-2010

    ERASS
    Data collection:     Four data periods
    Methodology:     Phone (landline)
    Sample size:     13,600 p.a.

  • 2011/12 & 2013/14

    ABS Multipurpose Household Survey
    Data collection:     Monthly
    Methodology:     Face-to-face & phone
    Sample size:     13,600 p.a.

  • 2015-2018/19

    AusPlay
    Data collection:     Continuous
    Methodology:     Phone (landline and mobile)
    Sample size:     20,000 p.a.

  • 2019/20-2022/23

    AusPlay
    Data collection: Continuous
    Methodology:     Phone (mobile only)
    Sample size:     20,000 p.a.

  • 2023/24 onwards

    AusPlay
    Data collection: Continuous
    Methodology: Multi-panel online
    Sample size: 40,000 p.a.

Latest release



The 2023-24 financial year data tables provide national, state and territory estimates on participation in sport and physical activity.

National

Sports and activities

State and territory

Data table notes

As a new baseline has been established, the depth of reporting for this release is limited to national, state/territory and sport data tables. These are more detailed than past tables given they are the only output available at this stage. More outputs, including a new data portal and sport reports will be built over time.

Some results from new questions added in AusPlay’s online questionnaire are not yet available in the data tables due to insufficient sample across one year of data collection (e.g. non-binary gender) or the need for further data review (e.g. volunteer hours).

Next data release



Scheduled for late April 2025 for data collected January 2024 – December 2024.

Previous data releases



For data from 2015-2023, please visit the previous results page. Note that these results cannot be directly compared to results from 2023-24 onwards because the data has been collected differently.

New Sport and Physical Activity Reports are on the way, and some will be produced from 2025.

For Sport and Physical Activity Reports from 2015-2023, please visit our previous results page. Note that these results cannot be directly compared to results from 2023-24 onwards because the data has been collected differently

AusPlay publications highlight key insights into sports participation in Australia.

For publications from 2015-2023, please visit our previous results page. Note that these results cannot be directly compared to results from 2023-24 onwards because the data has been collected differently.


AusPlay survey advancements

Detailed information about the changes
Summary of the main changes
October 2024

General enquiries

Any questions or requests for further information about AusPlay can be directed to the Insights team at the Australian Sports Commission.

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