Campaigns and Advocacy
Physical Activity Australia campaigns and advocates for improved physical activity environments for all Australians. We recognise the importance of government policy, supportive environments and public education in increasing activity levels in Australia.
We run campaigns to raise awareness, promote physical activity, reduce physical inactivity and improve public health. We also advocate to government, industry and other key decision makers for improved environments to help make physical activity an easier part of everyday life.
Why advocate for improved physical activity environments?
Regular physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It and improves your overall sense of wellbeing and mental health, increases your fitness and helps you to maintain a healthy body weight.
Regular physical activity can also:
- help prevent heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure
- reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and some cancers
- help build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints reducing the risk of injury
- have a positive effect on the brain and improve mental health.
Find out more about the benefits of physical activity.
In the future we will increase our advocacy efforts and promote changes such as:
- tax incentives for the families of children who participate in physical activity
- workplace programs that encourage staff to be more active during their working day
- improved physical activity infrastructure in local communities.
The situation in Australia
Many Australians are not doing enough physical activity every day to prevent or reduce the risk of long term chronic disease.
The Government’s 2007 – 2008 National Health Survey found that 72% of all Australians aged over 15 years were classified as either sedentary or only participated in low levels of exercise. Less than one quarter (22%) of Australians were classified as exercising at a moderate level and 6% at a high level.
Physical inactivity is estimated to account for more than 6% of the total impact of disease and injury to society in Australia, making it second only to tobacco smoking in significance.
Find out how much physical activity the Australian government recommends.