State of Play 2025

The State of Play 2025 report is the first report of its kind to be undertaken in Australia on play for children and young people. It brings together insights from survey data, research and interviews with industry leaders and experts working across a range of areas that intersect with children and their right to play.

This report focuses on the current conditions impacting children’s play in Australia and what action is needed to support children’s play opportunities. Six key themes have emerged from the data collected and 31 recommendations for action, that will support the development of play initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Australia and the communities they live in.

The report includes case studies drawn from across Australia that highlight grass roots initiatives that are being taken to support children’s play. Each example aims to highlight the diverse and creative ways that play is being supported in the Australian community and offer inspiration to others to engage in finding solutions to increasing the play opportunities for Australian children.

Play can be a multidimensional panacea for a range of issues is now recognised internationally across many levels of Government who have embedded it in their policy and planning and created national agendas for play.

This report is not designed to be exhaustive but instead, serve as a catalyst for further discussion and review on the state of play in Australia. This report provides  an opportunity to reflect on how we can advance recognition of the important role play has, both in the development of children and young people and in achieving socially cohesive and resilient communities.