AVERAGE TIME SPENT ON SPORT AND RECREATION
The 2006 TUS found that men spent more time than women participating in most recreation and leisure activities, in particular sport and outdoor activity (25 minutes a day compared with 17 minutes a day).
Between 1997 and 2006 the amount of time men spent on sport and outdoor activity reduced more than for women (8 minutes less a day for men and 3 minutes less a day for women).
Time spent on sport and outdoor activity (25 minutes) was the second most popular activity for men in 2006 after audio/visual media (154 minutes). For women, however, time spent on sport and outdoor activity (17 minutes) followed audio/visual media (122 minutes); talking and correspondence (36 minutes); reading (25 minutes) and other free time (18 minutes). The category other free time includes activities such as relaxing, playing with pets and thinking.
4.1 Average time spent on free time activities, By sex - 1997 and 2006 |
|
| 1997 | 2006 |
| Males | Females | Persons | Males | Females | Persons |
| Minutes per day | Minutes per day | Minutes per day | Minutes per day | Minutes per day | Minutes per day |
|
Socialising | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Visiting entertainment venues(a) | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Attendance at sports event | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Religious activities(b) | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
Community participation | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
Associated travel | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
Social and Community interaction(c) | 42 | 47 | 45 | 40 | 46 | 43 |
Sport and outdoor activity | 33 | 20 | 27 | 25 | 17 | 21 |
Games, hobbies, arts, crafts | 18 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 13 |
Reading | 24 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 23 |
Audio/visual media | 143 | 118 | 130 | 154 | 122 | 138 |
Attendance at recreational courses | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | *1 | 1 |
Other free time | 23 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 20 |
Talking and correspondence(d) | 27 | 44 | 35 | 24 | 36 | 30 |
Associated travel | 11 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Recreation and Leisure(c) | 283 | 254 | 268 | 268 | 237 | 253 |
Total free time | 328 | 304 | 316 | 308 | 284 | 296 |
|
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution |
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells) |
(a) Includes cultural venues. |
(b) Includes ritual ceremonies. |
(c) Includes additional activities not separately included. |
(d) Includes talking on phone or reading/writing own correspondence. |
Source: Time Use on Recreation and Leisure Activities, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 4173.0) |