Position statement on sport/physical education in schools

The Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) supports physical activity and sport in the school environment because active children are healthier, more attentive, more confident and less likely to be absent from class. Schools are acknowledged as excellent settings for the promotion and delivery of physical activity opportunities.

Related topics: None

In accordance with the Australian Government’s schools funding legislation for 2005-2008, education authorities will be required to include at least two hours of physical activity each school week for primary and junior secondary school children.

DSR provides funding opportunities, resource support and professional development opportunities for teachers/deliverers and partners in a range of physical activity programs.

DSR actively supports the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Active After School Communities program through the provision of office accommodation and services, and program collaboration.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2005 as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education (IYSPE). The ASC and DSR are supporting this through a wide range of sport and physical activity programs.

Where would you like to go next?

• Alcohol and physical activity
• Child protection
• Coaching
• Companion card for people with a disability
• Drugs in sport
• Fare equalisation
• Funding national sport organisations for operations
• Governance
• Harassment-free sport
• Hosting national championships - national leagues
• Inclusivity (substantive equality)
• Indigenous participation
• Integrity in sport
• Junior sport sponsorship from alcohol companies
• Mature-aged sport and recreation
• Mergers of like State Sporting Associations
• Officiating
• Photographing children
• Physical activity
• Sustainability
• Violence in sport
• Volunteers
• Water safety
• Working with Children Legislation