CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONS WHO PARTICIPATED

AGE AND SEX

The highest participation rate in sport and physical recreation was reported by people aged 15–17 years (78%). Participation generally decreased with age, with persons aged 65 years and over having the lowest participation rate (50%). In general, males had slightly higher participation rates than females (66% and 64% respectively) although this was not the case for all age groups. Participation rates in the younger age groups were significantly different between males and females. Males aged 15–17 years had a higher participation rate than females of the same age (85% and 70% respectively). Similarly for 18–24 year olds, males again had a higher participation rate than females (76% and 67% respectively) (Table 1).

AREA OF USUAL RESIDENCE

The participation rate for sport and physical recreation was highest in the Australian Capital Territory (80%), while the other states ranged from 62% in Queensland and South Australia to 69% in Tasmania (Table 2). People living in the eight capital cities had a higher participation rate (66%) than those living in the rest of Australia (63%) (Table 1). Walking for exercise was significantly more popular than other physical recreation activities in almost all states and territories. The exception was the Australian Capital Territory, where participation rates for walking for exercise and fitness and gym activities were similar (Table 10).




BIRTHPLACE

People born in Australia were more likely to participate in sport and physical recreation than those born in other countries (67% and 59% respectively). While the participation rates were similar for males and females born in Australia (68% and 67% respectively) and overseas in main English-speaking countries (69% and 70% respectively), the rate for males born overseas, not in a main English-speaking countries, was significantly higher than that of females (58% and 47% respectively) (Table 1).


EMPLOYMENT STATUS

There was a significant difference in the participation rates between those who were employed (70%) and those unemployed (64%). Participation rates in sport and physical recreation were similar for those employed full-time (70%) and those who were employed part-time (71%). Just over half of those aged 15 years and over who were not in the labour force (55%) reported participating in sport and physical recreation in the 12 month period prior to interview (Table 1).


HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION

People living in couple households with dependent children were more likely to participate in sport and physical recreation (68%) than those in one parent households with dependent children (63%) and lone person households (61%) (Table 1).


EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Participation rates for sport and physical recreation were similar for those whose highest educational attainment was a Postgraduate degree (79%), Graduate diploma or graduate certificate (82%) and Bachelor degree (78%). The lowest participation rate was reported by people whose highest educational attainment was year 10 or below (48%) (Table 1).


HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Participation rates generally increased as equivalised household income increased. People whose weekly household income was in the highest quintile reported a participation rate of 81%, whereas the rate for people in the lowest quintile was 48% (Table 1).