4917.0 - Sport and social capital, Australia, 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/03/2012  Final
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Work-life balance is used to describe the balance between an individual's work and personal life. A 'lack of time' is often cited by people as a reason for not participating in sport and physical recreation, with many reporting that they are simply too busy to participate. Work commitments may be a contributing factor to people feeling busy. A number of data items collected in the GSS provide an indication of the balance between work and life experienced by Australians. These include total number of hours worked, travelling time to work and whether or not work allows sufficient time for family and community responsibilities.


Hours worked

Even though 'lack of time' or 'working too many hours' are often given as reasons for not participating, data shows that working high numbers of hours per week does not necessarily deter people from participating in sport and physical recreation. The highest participation rate was among participants working 41-48 hours per week. There is not enough evidence to say that the hours worked in all jobs have a statistically significant impact on participation in sport and physical recreation activities.

5.7 Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, By hours worked in all jobs per week
Participated
Did not participate
Total
Participation rate
Non-participation rate
Total
'000
'000
'000
%
%
%
1-15
830.1
189.7
1 019.8
81.4
18.6
100.0
16-24
776.5
204.6
981.1
79.1
20.9
100.0
25-34
946.7
253.7
1 200.3
78.9
21.1
100.0
35-39
1 884.5
359.5
2 244.0
84.0
16.0
100.0
40
1 418.0
378.9
1 796.9
78.9
21.1
100.0
41-48
1 236.5
173.8
1 410.2
87.7
12.3
100.0
49-99
1 769.6
437.3
2 206.9
80.2
19.8
100.0
Not applicable(a)
3 596.8
2 331.9
5 928.8
60.7
39.3
100.0
Total
12 458.7
4 329.4
16 788.2
74.2
25.8
100.0
(a) Unemployed or not in the labour force.



Travelling time to work

Time taken to travel to work is often said to restrict the time available for participation in sport and physical recreation. However, increased travel time does not appear to reduce participation in sport and physical recreation activities. The participation rate was highest amongst those who travelled an hour or more to work (85%) compared with those who worked at home (79%). There was not enough evidence to support this difference as statistically significant.

5.8 Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, By travelling time to work
Participated
Did not participate
Total
Participation rate
Non-participation rate
Total
'000
'000
'000
%
%
%
10 minutes or less
2 119.1
485.3
2 604.4
81.4
18.6
100.0
11 - 29 minutes
2 569.4
580.6
3 150.0
81.6
18.4
100.0
30 minutes to less than 1 hour
2 262.9
478.1
2 741.0
82.6
17.4
100.0
1 hour or more
789.1
140.9
930.0
84.8
15.2
100.0
Variable workplace
610.1
180.7
790.8
77.2
22.8
100.0
Worked at home
503.3
130.4
633.7
79.4
20.6
100.0
Not applicable
3 596.8
2 331.9
5 928.8
60.7
39.3
100.0
Total(a)
12 458.7
4 329.4
16 788.2
74.2
25.8
100.0
(a) Includes not known and not stated.



Whether work allows for family/community responsibilities

The sport participation rate was highest for those whose work commitments allowed them to also meet other family and community responsibilities (84%).

5.9 Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, By whether work allows for family/community responsibilities
Participated
Did not participate
Total
Participation rate
Non-participation rate
Total
'000
'000
'000
%
%
%
Can meet responsibilities
4 732.8
895.7
5 628.4
84.1
15.9
100.0
Can not meet responsibilities
399.3
129.8
529.2
75.5
24.5
100.0
Doesn't have family/community responsibilities
3 697.1
951.6
4 648.7
79.5
20.5
100.0
Don't know
*32.6
*20.4
53.1
61.5
*38.5
100.0
Not applicable(a)
3 596.8
2 331.9
5 928.8
60.7
39.3
100.0
Total
12 458.7
4 329.4
16 788.2
74.2
25.8
100.0
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
(a) Unemployed or not in the labour force.





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