OUR MISSION AND VISION
Our mission is to build a healthy Australia through the power of play. We want help to create a more playful nation where play is valued, supported, and accessible to everyone. We want to see a connected and healthy Australia where play is a part of everyone’s life.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO!
At Play Australia, we believe every child deserves time and space to play every day. Play is a biological necessity essential for healthy human growth, wellbeing, and community connection. It’s a fundamental human right, recognised by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We work to protect and promote this right by supporting individuals and organisations across Australia to create more opportunities for play.
Through our online learning courses, professional workshops and Playwork training programs, we empower adults to understand and champion the importance of play. Our Learning Series offers both online and in-person opportunities for education, networking, and inspiration connecting people who share our passion for play.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, council officer, designer, or policymaker, you have a role to play in shaping playful communities. Together, we can build a healthier, happier Australia through play.
Click here to view or online learning courses.
Check out our professional learning option in the tab at the top of the page!
WHY IS PLAY SO IMPORTANT?
Play is essential for healthy human development. Like nutrition, sleep and quality caregiving play should be part of every daily life. At Play Australia we still believe that for a healthy community, children need time, space and freedom to play, everyday. We also believe this is important for adults.
Join our national movement to build healthy communities through the power of play.
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OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
Play Australia’s Strategic Plan 2020–2025 sets a clear vision for a healthier, more connected nation through play. It focuses on three key priorities: advocating for play as a human right, strengthening those who support play, and creating inclusive communities that value play every day. Guided by this plan, we continue to lead, educate, and inspire action so that play is recognised as essential to the wellbeing of every Australian.
THE PLAY CHARTER
Article 31 United Nations Convention on The Rights of The Child “Every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts”
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OUR GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
We are the Australian branch of the International Play Association (IPA World). We are committed to supporting the work of IPA in promoting children's right to play. We are active contributors to global sharing and strategy. Our CEO, Robyn Monro Miller AM, is the current President of the IPA World (2017–2026).
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OUR GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Play Australia (IPA Australia) is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which oversees the national regulatory framework for the not-for-profit sector, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (the ACNC Act 2012).
Play Australia (IPA Australia) is an incorporated not for profit organisation and is under the provisions of the Associations Incorporations Act 1981 Victoria.
We have a voluntary Board of Management, elected from the membership.