CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECTATORS


AGE AND SEX

People aged 15-17 years reported the highest attendance rates in the 12 months prior to interview (58%). The rate of attendance generally declined with age, with the lowest rate of attendance being reported for those aged 65 years and over (23%) (Table 1).

More males attended a sporting event in the 12 months prior to interview (50% or 4.3 million) compared with females (37% or 3.3 million) (Table 1).

COUNTRY OF BIRTH

Nearly half (49% or 6.1 million) of the population who were born in Australia attended a sporting event in the 12 months prior to interview, compared with 29% (1.4 million) of people who were born overseas. Of people born overseas, those born in a main English-speaking country were more likely to attend a sporting event (41%) than those born in other countries (22%) (Table 1).


AREA OF USUAL RESIDENCE

The attendance rate at sporting events varied across the states and territories, with Northern Territory reporting the highest rate of 59% (75,400) of people attending a sporting event in the 12 months prior to interview, compared with 38% (2.2 million) of people in New South Wales (Table 2).

People living in state capital cities reported a lower attendance rate at sporting events (42% or 4.6 million) than those living in the rest of Australia (46% or 3.0 million) (Table 1).

LABOUR FORCE STATUS

Persons employed on a full-time basis reported the highest attendance rates at sporting events (55%), compared with those employed part-time (45%), unemployed persons (43%) and those not in the labour force (27%) in the 12 months prior to interview (Table 1).


HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION

The highest attendance rates were reported by persons in a couple household with dependent children (50%), compared with those in a one-parent household with dependent children (41%), couple only households (40%) and lone person households (36%) (Table 1).


EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Attendance rates at sporting events were highest for people with a highest educational attainment of Certificate (50%). The attendance rates were lowest for people with a highest educational attainment of Year 10 or below (34%) (Table 1).


HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Attendance rates generally increased as equivalised gross household income increased. Persons whose weekly gross household income was in the lowest quintile reported attendance rates of 26%, whereas those with a weekly gross household income in the highest quintile reported attendance rates of 58% (Table 1).