8686.0 - Sports Industries, Australia, 1994-95  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/01/1997   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

MEDIA RELEASE

January 30, 1997
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
06/1997

Australia's $2 billion sports industries

Sport in Australia employed a total of 81,771 people in 7,169 businesses and organizations at the end of June 1995, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Horse and dog racing, sports grounds and facilities and services to sports were the major employers, responsible for 58,414 jobs and over $2 billion in sales of goods and services during 1994-95. Overall the industries made a pre-tax profit of $170 million in 1994-95, which represented an operating profit of 7.3 per cent.

The horse and dog racing industry's 898 businesses employed 14,118 people. In 1994-95 these businesses generated income of $789 million and incurred expenses of $739 million. At the time of the survey they controlled 425 thoroughbred, 117 harness and 81 greyhound racing and training tracks.

The sports grounds and facilities industry reported 1,581 businesses (e.g. athletic and football grounds, ten pin bowling and swimming pool operations), employing 21,563 people. These businesses generated income of $796 million, of which 40 per cent came from members fees and subscriptions and 14 per cent from admissions. At $218 million, wages and salaries were the largest component of the industries total expenses of $747 million.

There were 2,588 businesses in the sports and services to sports industry (e.g. sporting club or association, sports administration service, sports coaching service, etc), employing 22,732 people. In 1994-95 these businesses generated income of $932 million. Significant income sources were sponsors and advertising ($175 million), members fees and subscriptions ($156 million) and admissions ($112 million). The industry incurred expenses of $862 million, of which $244 million (28 percent per cent) was for wages and salaries.

In this industry a further 709 Federal, State and local government organizations employed 8,517 sports-related personnel. Government organizations controlled 17,670 (75 per cent) sports grounds and facilities in Australia during 1994-95.

Details are in Sports Industries, Australia 1994-95 (cat. no. 8686.0) available from ABS bookshops.