Sport is more than just physical activity — it plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy, happy childhood. Whether it’s playing club soccer or taking swimming lessons, sport builds confidence, fosters social skills, and promotes both physical and mental well-being. In countless ways, it helps children thrive.

However, in today’s world, with the rising cost of living and increasing reliance on screens and technology, there is growing concern about whether children are staying active and participating in organised sport as much as they should.

To better understand the current state of children’s sport participation in Australia, we examined the key factors shaping involvement. This includes the biggest barriers keeping kids from taking part, as well as the influence of gender, age, and location. To ensure our insights are accurate and up to date, we drew on the latest government data, specifically the AusPlay survey released in May 2025, which focuses on organised participation outside of school for children aged 0–14 years.

Swimming makes a splash as the most popular sport among Australian children, with nearly one in four kids (23.2%) participating. This reflects the country’s strong cultural emphasis on water safety and swimming education. Soccer comes in a distant second at 13.9%, followed by gymnastics (6.8%) and basketball (6.5%). Notably, basketball stands out as one of the more inclusive sports, attracting considerable interest from both boys and girls, unlike some others that tend to show a stronger gender divide.

A closer look at participation by gender reveals some clear trends. Swimming remains the top choice for both boys and girls. Among boys, soccer is a strong second (19.9%), nearly matching swimming’s popularity. Girls, on the other hand, show a strong preference for gymnastics (11.1%), recreational dancing (9.6%) and netball (9.0%), all activities that have traditionally appealed more to girls. Meanwhile, boys tend to favour male-dominated sports such as Australian football (AFL) (8.6%) and cricket (5.2%), neither of which appears in the girls’ top ten.

While there is some overlap in chosen activities, these patterns highlight the enduring influence of traditional gender norms in shaping the sporting habits of Aussie kids.

Exploring the sports that Aussie kids are into helps us understand current trends in youth activities, how active young people are, and the role sport plays in their daily lives. In this section, we’ll reveal the top five sports being played by kids in each state and territory, while highlighting regional differences and the overall national picture.

New South Wales aligns with national trends, with swimming leading in participation at 24.3%, closely followed by soccer at 18.1%. The 6.2 percentage point gap between the top two sports is among the narrowest in the country, second only to South Australia. Dancing comes in third at 6.0%, reflecting a relatively strong interest in the performing arts compared to other states. Interestingly, AFL, which is often considered the national sport, does not feature among the top five in New South Wales.

In Victoria, swimming remains the most popular sport, with a participation rate of 23.9%. Soccer ranks second, though participation drops significantly to 10.2%, making the 13.7 percentage point gap between first and second one of the widest in the country. Basketball comes in third, with 10.0% of Victorian children taking part. AFL holds fourth place at 8.9%, reflecting the state's deep-rooted connection to the sport. Gymnastics rounds out the top five at 6.4%, contributing to a diverse mix of both individual and team-based activities.

Swimming remains the most popular sport in Queensland, with a participation rate of 23.0%, followed by soccer at 14.1%. Gymnastics ranks third with a strong showing of 8.1%, placing Queensland among the leading states for this sport. Recreational dancing (4.7%) and basketball (4.5%) round out the top five, reflecting moderate yet consistent engagement in these activities. Unlike Victoria and Western Australia, AFL does not appear among Queensland’s most participated sports.

In Western Australia, swimming remains the most popular sport, with a participation rate of 22.3%, followed by soccer at 11.2%. AFL ranks third at 8.3%, underscoring its strong cultural presence in the state. WA is one of four states where AFL features among the top four sports, reflecting a broader trend of strong support for the code across Australia’s southern and western regions.

South Australia has the most evenly matched top two sports in the country, with swimming at 16.6% and soccer close behind at 12.3% — a slim margin of just 4.3 percentage points. AFL comes in third with 10.1%, reinforcing its strong foothold in the southern states. Netball ranks fourth at 8.8%, representing its highest participation rate nationwide and highlighting its popularity in the region. Gymnastics rounds out the top five at 6.0%. South Australia is also one of only three jurisdictions where cricket appears among the top ten sports for children, reflecting a broad and diverse sporting culture across the state.

Almost a quarter of all Tasmanian children take part in swimming lessons (24.3%), making it the most popular organised activity. Soccer comes in second (12.4%), while AFL stands out in third place with a 10.7% participation rate, the highest in the country, highlighting Tasmania’s strong ties to the sport. Gymnastics (9.3%) and basketball (8.0%) also see solid involvement, rounding out a well-balanced top five that reflects a healthy mix of team and individual pursuits.

The Northern Territory leads the nation in children's swimming participation, with over a quarter (25.2%) of kids taking part — a figure likely influenced by the region’s tropical climate. Soccer ranks second at 12.8%, in line with national trends, while gymnastics comes in third at 12.1%, the highest participation rate for the sport across any state or territory. Running (5.9%) and athletics (5.1%) also feature in the top five, making the NT the only region where two endurance-based sports rank so highly. Notably, AFL and basketball are absent from the Territory’s top sports, reflecting a unique focus on individual and fitness-oriented activities compared to other parts of Australia.

The ACT reports the highest participation in swimming across all jurisdictions, with 24.7% of children taking part, highlighting the sport’s wide-reaching appeal. Soccer follows in second at 15.0%, while gymnastics ranks third at 7.0%, consistent with strong participation levels seen in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Recreational dancing (6.0%) and running (5.7%) complete the top five, reflecting a strong interest in individual and fitness-based activities. The ACT is also one of only three regions, along with South Australia and Victoria, where cricket features in the top ten, pointing to more diverse sporting preferences.

Participation in sport varies considerably across age groups, influenced by developmental milestones, parental choices, and access to programs. Among children aged 0–4, swimming is by far the most popular activity (22.2%), largely due to Australia's strong emphasis on water safety. Gymnastics (6.7%) also ranks highly, supporting the development of balance and coordination. Other activities such as recreational walking, soccer, and dancing reflect a focus on simple, playful movement suited to very young children.

As children move into the 5–8 age group, improved coordination allows them to engage in more structured sports. Swimming remains the leading activity (31.3%), while soccer sees a significant rise in popularity (18.5%) due to its simplicity and wide availability in schools and community settings. Gymnastics continues to be popular (10.0%), while Australian football (8.1%) and basketball (6.5%) become increasingly accessible and appealing.

By ages 9–11, team sports begin to dominate. Soccer reaches its peak popularity (19.8%), with many children participating in structured leagues. Swimming remains strong (26.7%), reflecting its value both as a sport and a vital life skill. Basketball increases in popularity (10.3%), indicating a growing interest in fast-paced, team-based play. Netball (7.9%) and Australian football (7.3%) also gain momentum, particularly among children involved in school or club teams. Conversely, gymnastics (6.9%) begins to decline slightly as some children shift their focus to team sports.

In the 12–14 age group, participation trends shift towards more competitive and social forms of physical activity. Soccer becomes the most popular sport (15.4%), with strong involvement in school and club competitions. Swimming, while declining slightly (11.0%), remains a common choice, particularly for those following competitive pathways. Basketball peaks at 10.9%, reflecting increased school-level engagement and community support. Netball (10.1%) and Australian football (8.2%) continue to attract steady participation, while tennis (6.0%) and cricket (5.1%) maintain moderate popularity. Recreational activities such as dancing, jogging, and walking also emerge more prominently, suggesting that not all adolescents gravitate toward traditional sports, with some preferring personal or socially oriented physical activity.

Overall, children's participation in sport evolves with age—shifting from individual, skill-based activities to more structured, team-oriented ones. These changes are shaped by developmental readiness, social influences, and the accessibility of sporting opportunities. Understanding these patterns can help schools, clubs, and communities better support and promote lifelong engagement in physical activity.

Children’s participation in sport is influenced by a range of factors, with several key barriers standing out. The most commonly reported reason by parents was that their child was the "wrong age," cited by almost half (43.7%). However, this is largely driven by responses from the 0–4 age group, where 71.2% of parents selected this option. To ensure a more accurate representation of the barriers to sport participation, we excluded the 0–4 age group from our analysis of the top 10 reasons across all age groups, as their inclusion would significantly skew the results.

Nearly one in five parents reported that their child simply does not enjoy physical activity. This lack of interest is slightly more common among girls (10.4%) than boys (8.7%), and may stem from a range of factors, including negative past experiences, low self-confidence, or a preference for other types of activities. Financial barriers also play a substantial role, with 14.8% of children reportedly unable to participate due to the cost of sport or associated transport.

Other frequently cited reasons relate to lifestyle and competing priorities. Around one in ten (9.7%) of parents believe their child already engages in enough physical activity, while 9.6% indicate that sport is not a priority within the family schedule. Age-specific patterns also emerge in the data. As children grow older, motivation becomes increasingly challenging, with the proportion of children described as "too lazy" rising from 4.5% in the 5–8 age group to 13.9% among those aged 12–14 years.

How often kids take part in organised sport varies a lot by age. Unsurprisingly, the youngest group (0–4 years) is the least involved, with just under half (48.4%) participating at least once a year. Rates jump as children grow: over 80% of 5–8 year-olds and nearly 85% of 9–11 year-olds take part annually. Regular involvement also rises with age, from only 22% of toddlers playing weekly to more than half of children aged 9–14. Participation peaks in the 9–11 age group, when many are joining local clubs or school teams.

Boys and girls are almost equally involved in organised sport, with around 71% taking part annually. Interestingly, girls are slightly more likely to play weekly (42% compared to 39% of boys), and at higher frequencies, the gap virtually disappears. This marks a welcome shift from the past, as more support for women’s and girls’ sport has helped level the field.

Location also makes a difference. Western Australia leads with nearly three in four children (74.4%) involved at least once a year, followed closely by the ACT and Victoria. The Northern Territory has the lowest rate, with just over 60% of kids participating. Regular and weekly involvement sits at around 40% nationally, though WA and the ACT are slightly ahead. High-frequency participation (three or more times a week) is most common in the ACT, WA and Victoria. Climate, facilities and access to community programs likely play a role in these differences.

Family income is another major factor. Children from higher-income households take part more often: in families earning over $200,000, more than half (53.4%) play weekly, compared to less than a third (29.3%) in households earning under $40,000. At three or more times a week, the gap is even clearer; kids from the wealthiest families are twice as likely to be involved (20.7% vs 10.5%). It highlights how affordability and access shape the opportunities kids have to stay active.

The total lifetime cost of enrolling children in sport varies dramatically depending on the activity. Recreational dance tops the list, with families spending an average of $30,840 over a child’s sporting journey, including equipment, costumes, and uniforms.

Other high-cost options include tennis ($15,590), cricket ($14,784), athletics ($13,780), and swimming ($11,851), reflecting expenses for specialised venues, coaching, and gear. Basketball sits in the mid-range at $9,737, while rugby league costs $7,748 over a lifetime, largely due to protective equipment and competition fees.

More affordable options are largely community-based team sports. Soccer costs $12,790 across a child’s sporting years, netball $6,870, and Australian football is the cheapest, at just $6,992 for a lifetime of participation.

These figures highlight how the financial commitment of sport can vary widely, influenced by equipment needs, coaching, competition levels, and whether the activity is supported by clubs or community programs.

Since 2018, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has invested over $150 million into National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) and National Sporting Organisations for people with Disability (NSODs) to boost sport participation across the country. Gymnastics received the highest level of funding, totalling $8.04 million and accounting for 5.2% of total participation investment. Basketball and netball followed closely, receiving $7.97 million and $6.82 million, respectively. These three sports are also among the most popular for children aged 0–14, reflecting their strong grassroots presence and high levels of youth engagement.

Surf Life Saving and swimming also featured among the top 10 funded sports, receiving $6.02 million and $5.8 million, respectively. Their inclusion highlights Australia’s ongoing commitment to water safety and education, further reinforced by swimming’s status as the most participated-in sport among children.

Overall, the funding distribution reflects national priorities focused on promoting lifelong physical activity, inclusivity, and community engagement through sport.

Net World Sports has analysed data from the Australian Sports Commission’s most recent AusPlay Survey results from the 2024 calendar year in order to understand the state of participation and the landscape of the sporting environment for children in Australia.

The research within this study is in reference to children between 0 - 14 years old, unless otherwise stated. Participation rates within this study are related to organised participation in sport/activity outside of school hours with data being collected via the child's parent or guardian.

Data where estimate has relative margin of error (RSE) greater than 100% and is considered too unreliable to use and have been excluded from this data.

AusPlay collects data on gender, including non-binary and self-described. Non-binary and self-described gender are included in Totals but not reported separately due to sample size. The sum of male and female estimates therefore is not equal to the total.

The cost to participate from the AusPlay survey asks parents the approximate total cost paid to take part for their child in the activity over the past 12 months. It includes all costs of registration or membership paid to an organisation and costs paid to access specific venues, but does not include other costs such as equipment, clothing etc.

The costs associated with sporting equipment are estimated costs for average participants with high and low end estimates for basic apparel and equipment required for protection and participation only. Please note that these estimates reflect middle of the road scenarios and pricing can vary depending on event type, such as athletics field events, participation level and quality and use of equipment.

Sporting and organisational categories have been amalgamated for ease of comparison over time when it comes to National Sporting Organisation (NSO) Investment between 2018-19 to 2025-26. The numbers listed are from the NSO investment summaries from each year, which lay out the planned investment allocation.

Investment in high performance includes two categories within this research. The investment numbers for these categories include the high performance “Win Well” categories for each “Able” and “Para”, in addition to the amount for the general high performance “Win Well” investment.