COMPARISON OVER TIME
CHANGES IN PARTICIPATION SINCE 2005-06
In 2005-06 a similar survey was conducted by the ABS. For information on the differences between the surveys, see paragraphs 27 to 29 of the Explanatory Notes.
While the total number of people aged 15 years and over who participated in sport and physical recreation increased from 10.5 million in 2005-06 to 11.1 million in 2009-10, the total participation rate fell from 66% to 64%. The decrease was largely driven by a fall in female participation, from 66% to 63%. A significant decrease in participation was also reported by persons aged 25-34 from 75% in 2005-06 to 69% in 2009-10 (Table 14).
Significant decreases in participation rates between 2005-06 and 2009-10 were evident in Queensland (67% to 62%), South Australia (66% to 62%) and Western Australia (71% to 65%). The participation rate for persons born in Australia fell from 68% in 2005-06 to 66% in 2009-10. Similarly, the participation rate for persons born overseas fell from 60% to 56%. Participation rates significantly fell for participants with a postgraduate degree (86% to 77%), bachelor degree (81% to 76%), advanced diploma or diploma (77% to 70%), and for those participants whose highest level of educational attainment was year 10 or below (52% to 49%) (Table 15).
The rate of people participating in aerobics, fitness or gym activities increased from 13% to 14%. Similarly, the number of persons participating in jogging or running increased from 4% to 7%. The number of persons walking for exercise remained stable (4.0 million), however, the participation rate decreased (25% to 23%). Furthermore, participation in swimming or diving fell from 9% to 7% (Table 16).
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