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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.

Robyn Monro Miller AM

CEO, Play Australia

Attachment Size
State of Play 20256.76 MB 6.76 MB

Play Australia Media Releases, Interviews, Media Mentions

It sounds deceptively simple — but 'risky play' could be one of the fixes to the teen mental health crisis | ABC News

Submitted by Joanne Thorne on

Play Australia has been working with the ABC News Australia on a story regarding the benefits of risky play! It screened on ABC News on Sunday 9 June at 7pm with reporter Connor Duffy. The story featured Play Australia members, The Venny Inc, and our very own Digital Training Developer, Pete Curry and family, as well as our Play Australia pal Dr Anthea Rhodes. 

It sounds deceptively simple — but 'risky play' could be one of the fixes to the teen mental health crisis

Play Australia set to farewell Executive Director Barbara Champion after 25 years of service

Submitted by Joanne Thorne on

Play Australia Executive Director Barbara Champion will announce her retirement at the Play Australia 2022 AGM after 25 years of dedicated service to the organisation. 

Reflecting on her legacy, Ms Champion said she considered herself blessed to have the opportunity to be involved in the organisation. 

“How lucky and fortunate I have been to work with such an amazing bunch of people,” she shared. 

ABC Radio Adelaide profiling 1000 Play Streets

Submitted by Joanne Thorne on

Interview with Kieran Brophy of Play Australia and Paul Wright of Onkaparinga City Council profiling 1000 Play Streets with Caroline Winter of ABC Radio Adelaide.

"It's about supporting Australians to reclaim quiet residential streets as places to play and connect...if we connect our communities and get our neighbours together, all of a sudden we have this sense of belonging...and we're more inclined to send our children out to play, and that is what we need everyday for a healthy lifestyle".

MEDIA ALERT - 1000 Play Streets to aid COVID-19 recovery

Submitted by karenwilliams on

1000 Play Streets to aid COVID-19 recovery

Play Australia is proud to announce the national launch of 1000 Play Streets – a movement to reconnect our socially-isolated communities as we look toward COVID-19 recovery and to encourage more play for all, on our quiet residential streets.

Barb Champion, Executive Director of Play Australia says, “many of our communities are hurting at the moment, people are lonelier than ever due to restrictions and our children are suffering, due to a lack of opportunity to get outside and play.”