The ABS conducted surveys of major amusement and theme parks and amusement centres in respect of financial year 2000-01. While the ABS has conducted surveys of these operations in the past, the results were combined with those from other industries. Therefore these are the first detailed ABS surveys of these two industries.
Amusement and theme parks
In the 2000-01 survey, the ABS restricted its coverage to only the major amusement and theme parks. These parks are operated on a commercial basis, are permanently based at a fixed site, have multiple rides and attractions, and have over 50,000 attendees per year. This definition excludes single water slide parks, travelling side shows and a number of smaller parks.
At 30 June 2001, there were 30 major amusement and theme parks operating in Australia, with a total of 4,150 persons working in them (table 21.38).
During 2000-01, there were 8,903,500 visits to the major amusement and theme parks, representing an average of 297,000 visits per park for the year. Amusement and theme parks in Queensland attracted the most visits, with 56% of the total, while parks in New South Wales attracted 27% of total visits.
The total income of the 30 amusement and theme parks during 2000-01 was $287m, with takings from admissions and rides of $162m the most significant source of income. These theme parks incurred total expenses of $313m, resulting in an operating profit before tax of -$27m. This represented an operating profit margin of -9.4%.
21.38 MAJOR AMUSEMENT AND THEME PARKS - 2000-01
|
 | | Units | Value |
|
| Amusement and theme parks at 30 June | no. | 30 |
| Employment at 30 June | | |
| Permanent | persons | 1,907 |
| Casual | persons | 2,243 |
| Total | persons | 4,150 |
| Total visits during the year ended June | '000 | 8,903.5 |
| Income | | |
| Takings from admissions and rides | $m | 161.5 |
| Gross takings from the sale of food and beverages | $m | 51.5 |
| Income from the sale of merchandise | $m | 42.5 |
| Other income | $m | 31.7 |
| Total | $m | 287.2 |
| Expenses | | |
| Labour costs | $m | 118.3 |
| Rent, leasing and hiring expenses | $m | 50.9 |
| Purchases | $m | 40.6 |
| Other expenses | $m | 103.0 |
| Total | $m | 312.8 |
| Operating profit before tax | $m | -26.7 |
| Operating profit margin | % | -9.4 |
|
| Source: Selected Amusement and Leisure Industries, Australia, 2000-01 (8688.0). |
Amusement centres
Amusement centres include indoor play centres, amusement machine centres, mini-golf centres, go-kart venues and similar operations.
At 30 June 2001, there were 288 businesses operating amusement centres in Australia from 384 locations, with 236 locations in capital cities and suburbs and 148 in other areas. There were 2,793 persons employed by these amusement centres, the majority of which (61%) worked on a casual basis (table 21.39).
The total income in 2000-01 for amusement centres was $137m, with 53% ($73m) received as takings from coin operated amusement machines. Almost all of these takings ($72m) were accrued from amusement machine centres. Other major sources of income for amusement centres included income from playing fees/admissions ($42m) and sales of goods ($17m).
Total expenses for 2000-01 were $136m, of which labour costs ($41m) and rent, leasing and hiring expenses ($32m) were the highest contributors.
21.39 AMUSEMENT CENTRES - 2000-01
|
| | Units | Amusement machine centres | Other | Total |
|
| Businesses at 30 June | no. | 59 | 229 | 288 |
| Locations at end June | | | | |
| Capital city and suburbs | no. | 98 | 138 | 236 |
| Other areas | no. | 40 | 109 | 148 |
| Total | no. | 138 | 246 | 384 |
| Employment at end June | | | | |
| Working proprietors and partners | persons | 65 | 256 | 321 |
| Permanent employees | persons | 480 | 294 | 774 |
| Casual employees | persons | 568 | 1,130 | 1,698 |
| Total | persons | 1,114 | 1,679 | 2,793 |
| Income | | | | |
| Takings from coin operated amusement machines | $m | 71.7 | *0.8 | 72.6 |
| Income from playing fees/admissions | $m | *0.5 | 41.6 | 42.1 |
| Other income | $m | 10.1 | 12.2 | 22.2 |
| Total | $m | 82.3 | 54.7 | 136.9 |
| Expenses | | | | |
| Labour costs | $m | 25.2 | 15.9 | 41.0 |
| Purchases | $m | 6.5 | 8.5 | 15.1 |
| Other expenses | $m | 54.6 | 25.2 | 79.9 |
| Total | $m | 86.4 | 49.6 | 136.0 |
| Operating profit before tax | $m | *-5.1 | 5.1 | **0.1 |
| Operating profit margin | % | *-6.2 | 9.5 | **0.1 |
|
| Source: Selected Amusement and Leisure Industries, Australia, 2000-01 (8688.0). |
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