Cultural and recreational activities are essential to a shared sense of quality of life and to the social and physical wellbeing of individuals. They take many forms including involvement in creative and performing arts, music, literature, cultural heritage, libraries, radio, television, sports, gambling and amusements.
This section reviews a range of cultural and recreational activities which Australians undertake and provides a statistical summary (where available) for those activities. Data are drawn mainly from household surveys conducted by the ABS.
The section also provides information on the industries providing a range of culture and recreation services in Australia. These statistics have been obtained through industry surveys conducted by the ABS, and its compilations of administrative data, such as information about government funding of cultural activities. Government and non-government organisations have also supplied a range of industry data. For additional information about some of the industries providing culture and leisure services, see Service industries.