Sport

Overview

Provides information and data on the Sport sector, which is one component of the Sport, Fitness and Recreation industry.

The Sports sector is made up of a variety of entities that are all largely driven by the widespread popularity of sport in Australia. Over 90% of Australian adults have an interest in sport, with 8.4 million adults and 3 million children participating in sport each year. Most entities that make up the Sport sector are small scale enterprises that are member owned and rely on the contributions of community members and volunteers.

The Australian Government makes a significant contribution to Australian sport, the 2019-20 Federal Budget provided one of the largest funding packages for the Sport sector in years through an investment of $385.4 million. This investment will in part fund projects relating to community participation activities, upgrading community sporting facilities, expanding school and community infrastructure programs, and extending the national Sporting Schools program to 2020.

It’s estimated there are around 60,000 people directly employed in the Sport sector, with many more engaged as volunteers.

Vocational education and training (VET) is required for a range of Sport related occupations such as:

Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials
Sports and Fitness Workers.

Nationally recognised training for Sport occupations is delivered under the SIS – Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package.

For more information on Aquatic and Community Recreation, Outdoor Recreation and Fitness
sectors, please visit the respective pages.

Information sourced from the Sport and Recreation IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast.

All data sources are available at the end of the page.

IRC and Skills Forecast

Employment trends

Employment snapshot

The employment level in the Sport and Physical Recreation industry has risen substantially over the period between 2000 and 2019, with a further increase projected up until 2024. The Amusement and Other Recreation Activities industry has also seen a gradual rise in employment levels over the same period and a further increase is predicted over the next five years to 2024.

Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials make up 16% of the Sport and Recreation Activities industry workforce (excluding Horse and Dog Racing Activities) with Sportspersons accounting for close to 7%. Employment levels for both of these occupations are projected to increase between 2019 and 2024, by approximately 16% and 13% respectively.

Training provider type
Funding source

Student location
Training delivery location

Commencements and completions
Qualification level and occupation
State and territory

Training snapshot

There were close to 44,430 enrolments in Sport sector qualifications during 2018. Enrolments increased between 2015 and 2017, however there has been a slight decrease from the roughly 46,220 recorded in 2017. Completions increased between 2015 and 2016 then decreased in 2017, and have now recorded an increase from approximately 14,340 in 2017 to almost 16,190 in 2018. A large proportion of training takes place at the certificate II (48%) and III (42%) level in Sport and Recreation qualifications.

For 2018 enrolments in Sport sector qualifications, there were three main intended occupations for the training:

Sports and Fitness Workers
General Clerks
Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials.

Private training providers account for more than half (59%) of all training with approximately 15% delivered by schools and 14% by enterprise providers. Almost half (45%) of training in sport coaching qualifications takes place in schools, while one third (33%) of sport development enrolments are at TAFE.

The majority (67%) of all subjects are Commonwealth and state funded, with domestic fee-for-service making up most of the remaining portion (29%).

For enrolments in 2018 the largest proportion of enrolments were for students residing in Victoria (40%) and Queensland (22%).

Approximately 42% of training was delivered in Victoria, with a further 24% in Queensland and 21% in Western Australia.

Apprentice and trainee commencements and completions peaked in 2012 (roughly 2,920 and 2,360 respectively) before decreasing sharply in 2013. Completions continued to decline between 2013 and 2016 with an increase occurring in 2017 to almost 1,150, then dropping back to just under 1,090 in 2018. Commencements also declined further between 2013 and 2015 before increasing up to 1,470 in 2017, however a slight drop to approximately 1,390 occurred in 2018. A large proportion of the apprenticeship and trainee training as at December 2018 was for the Certificate III in Sport and Recreation qualification with the intended occupation of Sports and Fitness Workers. The bulk of apprenticeships and traineeships were reported in Queensland (38%), followed by New South Wales (28%) and Victoria (15%).

For more data specific to your occupation, industry or training package, please visit NCVER’s VET students by industry. If you are prompted to log in, please select cancel and you will continue to be directed to the program.

For more data specific to your region visit NCVER’s Atlas of Total VET.

If you are interested in extracting NCVER data to construct tables with data relevant to you, please sign up for a VOCSTATS account.

Industry insights

Industry insights on skills needs

The following generic skills were identified as highest priority for the Sport and Recreation industry:

Customer Service/Marketing
Communication/Collaboration including virtual collaboration/Social intelligence
Learning agility/Information literacy/Intellectual autonomy and self-management
Design mindset/Thinking critically/System thinking/Solving problems
Managerial/Leadership.

According to the Sport and Recreation IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast, the following form the top priority skills required across the industry:

Teamwork and communication
Problem solving
Self-management
Technical/job-specific skills.

Other skills and knowledge gaps identified included:

Online and social media
Marketing
Initiative and enterprise (i.e. small business management)
Sports Administration.

The importance of communication skills is supported by findings from the job vacancy data, in which communication was identified as the most in demand advertised generic skill in the Sports and Recreation Activities industry (excluding Horse and Dog Racing Activities), followed by organisational skills, energetic, time management and detail orientated.

According to job vacancy data the most advertised occupations were for Fitness Instructors followed by Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials, while the top two employers are the YMCA and Fitness First.

There are a range of key demographic trends that influence the Sports sector, and therefore the skills required by the workforce. The diverse range of user groups including older people, youth and people with health issues and other conditions influence the variety of activity choices available and associated necessary skills. In addition, the prominence of sedentary lifestyles and obesity creates challenges around the role of sport, fitness and recreation in promoting physical health. Socio-economic factors and cultural diversity also impact participation levels, with initiatives in place to encourage participation which can help bring communities together and provide a platform for people to engage and promote awareness of broader community issues.

There are a number of key strategic and policy developments occurring which will impact the Sports sector, including the release of a national Sport plan titled Sport 2030. The plan was developed after the Australian Sports Commission was rebranded to Sport Australia in 2018 and highlights that fewer Australians are playing sport and engaging in physical activity. The plan has been developed around four strategic priorities which lead to the outcomes of improved physical health, improved mental health, personal development, strengthening communities and growing the economy. The strategic priorities are building a more active Australia, achieving sporting excellence, safeguarding the integrity of sport and strengthening Australia’s sport industry. In addition, ongoing developments, consultations and updates of policies and frameworks are occurring at a state and territory level. To read more about these please see links under Relevant Research below.

The Sport and Recreation IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast identifies workforce shortages in the Sports sector occupations of sports official, sports development officer and manager, sports coach and instructor and sports administrator. Demand for these positions is expected to stay strong into the future, particularly with the demographic changes of the Australian population and the ongoing policy and framework development occurring across all levels of government.

Access to sporting facilities in remote areas continues to be a challenge for the sector, many of these facilities are provided by local councils and operate under limited budgets. The benefits of access to these facilities, particularly in remote areas, are wide ranging and include improved health outcomes, provide culturally and linguistically diverse communities the opportunity to participate in the community and an outlet for younger people to pursue their sporting interests. To address this, the Sport and Recreation IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast suggests increased collaboration between sporting clubs and councils to form strategies that work towards increasing facility access for the community.

Links and resources

Below is a list of industry-relevant organisations and associations. Hyperlinks have been included where available.

Sport and Recreation Common Ground – Western Australia Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries

Strategic Plan 2017-21 – South Australia Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing

Data sources and notes

Department of Employment 2018, Employment Projections, available from the Labour Market Information Portal

by ANZSIC 3 digit industries, employment projections to May 2023
- 911 Sports and Physical Recreation Activities
- 913 Amusement and Other Recreation Activities.
by ANZSCO, selected occupations, employment projections to May 2023
- 4523 Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials
- 4521 Fitness Instructors
- 4524 Sportspersons
- 1491 Amusement, Fitness and Sports Centre Managers
- 3623 Greenkeepers
- 5421 Receptionists
- 6211 Sales Assistants (General)
- 4522 Outdoor Adventure Guides.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018, Employed persons by Industry group of main job (ANZSIC), Sex, State and Territory, November 1984 onwards, 6291.0.55.003 - EQ06, viewed 1 November 2018 http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6291.0.55.003May%202018?OpenDocument

Employed total by ANZSIC 3 digit industries, 2000 to 2018, May Quarter
- 911 Sports and Physical Recreation Activities
- 913 Amusement and Other Recreation Activities.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017, 2016 Census – employment, income and unpaid work, TableBuilder. Findings based on use of ABS TableBuilder data.

Employment level by:
- 910 Sports and Recreation Activities, nfd
- 911 Sports and Physical Recreation Activities
- 913 Amusement and Other Recreation Activities
- 4 digit level occupations to identify the relevant VET-related occupations in the industry as a proportion of the total workforce.

Training data has been extracted from the National VET Provider Collection and Total VET Students and Courses from the following training packages or qualifications:

SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package
- SIS10110 - Certificate I in Sport and Recreation
- SIS10112 - Certificate I in Sport and Recreation
- SIS10113 - Certificate I in Sport and Recreation
- SIS10115 - Certificate I in Sport and Recreation
- SIS20115 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- SIS20310 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- SIS20312 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- SIS20313 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- SIS20410 - Certificate II in Sport Career Oriented Participation
- SIS20412 - Certificate II in Sport Career Oriented Participation
- SIS20510 - Certificate II in Sport Coaching
- SIS20512 - Certificate II in Sport Coaching
- SIS20513 - Certificate II in Sport Coaching
- SIS30115 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
- SIS30510 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
- SIS30512 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
- SIS30513 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
- SIS30610 - Certificate III in Sport Career Oriented Participation
- SIS30612 - Certificate III in Sport Career Oriented Participation
- SIS30613 - Certificate III in Sport Career Oriented Participation
- SIS30710 - Certificate III in Sport Coaching
- SIS30712 - Certificate III in Sport Coaching
- SIS30713 - Certificate III in Sport Coaching
- SIS30810 - Certificate III in Sports Trainer
- SIS30812 - Certificate III in Sports Trainer
- SIS30813 - Certificate III in Sports Trainer
- SIS40115 - Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation
- SIS40410 - Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation
- SIS40412 - Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation
- SIS40510 - Certificate IV in Sport Coaching
- SIS40512 - Certificate IV in Sport Coaching
- SIS40610 - Certificate IV in Sport Development
- SIS40612 - Certificate IV in Sport Development
- SIS50115 - Diploma of Sport and Recreation Management
- SIS50410 - Diploma of Sport and Recreation Administration
- SIS50510 - Diploma of Sport Coaching
- SIS50512 - Diploma of Sport Coaching
- SIS50610 - Diploma of Sport Development
- SIS50612 - Diploma of Sport Development
- SIS50712 - Diploma of Sport and Recreation Management.
SRO Outdoor Recreation Industry Training Package (Superseded by SIS)
- SRO10106 - Certificate I in Sport and Recreation
- SRO20103 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- SRO20106 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- SRO30106 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
- SRO20199 - Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
- SRO30103 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
- SRO30199 - Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
- SRO40103 - Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation
- SRO40106 - Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation
- SRO40199 - Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation
- SRO50199 - Diploma of Sport and Recreation.
SRS Sport Industry Training Package (Superseded by SIS)
- SRS20206 - Certificate II in Sport (Career-oriented participation)
- SRS20306 - Certificate II in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS30306 - Certificate III in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS30406 - Certificate III in Sport (Officiating)
- SRS40206 - Certificate IV in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS40506 - Certificate IV in Sport (Development)
- SRS50506 - Diploma of Sport (Development)
- SRS20203 - Certificate II in Sport (Career-oriented participation)
- SRS20299 - Certificate II in Sport (Career Oriented Participation)
- SRS20303 - Certificate II in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS20399 - Certificate II in Sport (Officiating)
- SRS20403 - Certificate II in Sport (Officiating)
- SRS20406 - Certificate II in Sport (Officiating)
- SRS30203 - Certificate III in Sport (Career-oriented participation)
- SRS30206 - Certificate III in Sport (Career-oriented participation)
- SRS30299 - Certificate III in Sport (Career Oriented Participation)
- SRS30303 - Certificate III in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS30399 - Certificate III in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS30403 - Certificate III in Sport (Officiating)
- SRS30499 - Certificate III in Sport (Officiating)
- SRS30503 - Certificate III in Sport (Athlete support services)
- SRS30506 - Certificate III in Sport (Athlete support services)
- SRS30599 - Certificate III in Sport (Trainer)
- SRS30601 - Certificate III in Sport (Massage Therapy)
- SRS40203 - Certificate IV in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS40299 - Certificate IV in Sport (Coaching)
- SRS40399 - Certificate IV in Sport (Development)
- SRS40403 - Certificate IV in Sport (Athlete support services)
- SRS40406 - Certificate IV in Sport (Athlete support services)
- SRS40503 - Certificate IV in Sport (Development).

Superseded qualifications and training packages are grouped with current training products.

Data covers a range of selected student and training characteristics in the following categories and years:

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 program enrolments
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 subject enrolments
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 program completions.

Total VET students and courses data is reported for the calendar year. Program enrolments are the qualifications, courses and skill sets in which students are enrolled in a given period. For students enrolled in multiple programs, all programs are counted. Program completion indicates that a student has completed a structured and integrated program of education or training. Location data uses student residence. Subject enrolment is registration of a student at a training delivery location for the purpose of undertaking a module, unit of competency or subject. For more information on the terms and definitions, please refer to the Total VET students and courses: terms and definitions document.

Low counts (less than 5) are not reported to protect client confidentiality.

SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package apprentice and trainee data has been extracted from the National Apprentice and Trainee collection, including:

2010 to 2018 commencements
2010 to 2018 completions
2018 apprentices and trainees in-training October to December 2018 collection, by qualification and state and territory of data submitter.

Priority skills data have been extracted from the Sport and Recreation IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast.

Job vacancy data have been extracted from Burning Glass Technologies 2019, Labour Insight Real-time Labour Market Information Tool, Burning Glass Technologies, Boston, viewed July 2019, https://www.burning-glass.com.

Data shown represent most requested generic skills, occupations and employers according to internet job postings in Australia between July 2016 and June 2019 filtered by ANZSIC and ANZSCO classification levels listed below.

Generic skills / Occupations
- Community and Personal Service Workers
- Managers
- Clerical and Administrative Workers
- 9111 Health and Fitness Centres and Gymnasia Operation
- 9112 Sport and Physical Recreation Clubs and Sports Professionals
- 9113 Sports and Physical Recreation Venues, Grounds and Facilities Operation
- 9114 Sport and Physical Recreation Administrative Service
- 9131 Amusement Parks and Centres Operation
- 9139 Amusement and Other Recreation Activities n.e.c.
Employers
- 4521 Fitness Instructors
- 4523 Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials
- 5412 Information Officers
- 1311 Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers
- 4319 Other Hospitality Workers
- 9111 Health and Fitness Centres and Gymnasia Operation
- 9112 Sport and Physical Recreation Clubs and Sports Professionals
- 9113 Sports and Physical Recreation Venues, Grounds and Facilities Operation
- 9114 Sport and Physical Recreation Administrative Service
- 9131 Amusement Parks and Centres Operation
- 9139 Amusement and Other Recreation Activities n.e.c.

Updated: 02 Apr 2020

Sport

Sectors