National sport and physical activity participation
Older Australians Aged 55+
Headline indicators
Participate in sport or physical activity 1+ per week
2022-23 77% [5,790,000]
Participate in sport-related activity 1+ per week
2022-23 31% [2,292,000]
Participate through a sports club or association 1+ per year
2022-23 16% [1,186,000]
Take on a non-playing role 1+ per year
2022-23 10% [769,000]
Top motivations in 2022–23
Physical health or fitness
2022-23 85%
Fun/enjoyment
2022-23 42%
Social reasons
2022-23 31%
Psychological/mental health/therapy
2022-23 21%
To be outdoors/enjoy nature
2022-23 18%
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/1121496/Mature-Age-man-lifing-weights.png)
What’s changed?
Like adults overall, older Australians are less likely to be motivated by mental health, social reasons and being outdoors than they were in 2021-22.
Based on all participants (1+ per year).
Top barriers in 2022–23
Poor health or injury
2022-23 43%
Increasing age/too old
2022-23 19%
Not enough time/too many other commitments
2022-23 14%
Disability
2022-23 9%
Have a physical job
*Response option only identified from 20172022-23 7%
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/1121493/Elderly-women-with-a-walking-frame.png)
Based on all non-participants.
All participation rates 2016–17 to 2022–23
Frequency of participation
1+ per year, 1+ per week, 3+ per week, 5+ per week, 7+ per week.
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/1122874/Elderly-dancing.png)
What’s changed?
Participation rates among older Australians across all frequencies have decreased since 2021-22.
Most popular sport-related activities 2022–23
Estimated number of participants
Males aged 55+
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/1092642/Triathon-iStock-1363881419-Navy-Green.png)
Cycling
619,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/1092366/Swimming-AUSLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Swimming
542,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/1092638/Golf-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Golf
474,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1092371/Runner-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Running/athletics
259,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/1092369/Tennis-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Tennis
190,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1120964/Fishing-Colour-Navy-Green.png)
Fishing
143,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0010/1092637/Lawn-Bowls-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Bowls
123,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1092641/Surfing-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Surfing
119,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/1092640/Canoeing-Kayaking-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Canoeing/kayaking
76,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/1095545/Sailing-Ausplay-Icons_Colour-Navy-Green.png)
Sailing
72,000
Females aged 55+
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/1092366/Swimming-AUSLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Swimming
659,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/1092642/Triathon-iStock-1363881419-Navy-Green.png)
Cycling
324,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1092371/Runner-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Running/athletics
195,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/1092638/Golf-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Golf
175,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/1092369/Tennis-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Tennis
157,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0010/1092637/Lawn-Bowls-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Bowls
110,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/1092636/Martial-Arts-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Martial arts
75,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/1092640/Canoeing-Kayaking-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Canoeing/kayaking
73,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1092641/Surfing-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Surfing
60,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0012/1121115/DanceSport-iStock-1427882012-Colour-Navy-Green.png)
DanceSport
49,000
Top 10 sports/activities shown.
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/1121497/Mature-age-man-riding-a-bike.png)
Most popular non-sport-related activities 2022–23
Estimated number of participants
Males aged 55+
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/1115172/Walking.png)
Walking (recreational)
1,887,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0016/1115170/Fitness-gym.png)
Fitness/gym
952,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1115168/Bushwalking.png)
Bushwalking
245,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0019/1115173/Yoga.png)
Yoga
70,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/1115175/Exergaming.png)
Exergaming*
56,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/1115171/Pilates.png)
Pilates
56,000
Females aged 55+
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/1115172/Walking.png)
Walking (recreational)
2,494,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0016/1115170/Fitness-gym.png)
Fitness/gym
1,431,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0019/1115173/Yoga.png)
Yoga
344,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1115168/Bushwalking.png)
Bushwalking
323,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/1115171/Pilates.png)
Pilates
317,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/1115169/Dancing.png)
Dancing (recreational)
111,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/1115175/Exergaming.png)
Exergaming*
72,000
Activities with estimates of less than 40,000 not shown.
*Virtual/technology-based/gaming exercise, for example, motion sensing console games, smart treadmills, online platforms such as Zwift.
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0020/1121492/Elderly-couple-walking.png)
Children aged 0-14
Young adults aged 15–19
Australians aged 15+
Older Australians aged 55+
Girls aged 0-14
Females aged 15+
Boys aged 0-14
Males aged 15+
Australians aged 18+ with disability
Children 0-14 LOTE
Australians 18+ LOTE
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 18+
Children aged 0-14 in major cities
Australians aged 15+ in major cities
Children aged 0-14 in regional/rural areas
Australians aged 15+ in regional/rural areas
Children aged 0-14 by state / territory 2022-23
Australians aged 15+ by state / territory 2022-23