Full-time employment in Australia's fitness industry reached 45,200 positions after a 10 percent rise. Revenue totalled 2.4 billion Australian dollars. Gym memberships covered 25.4 percent of adults.
Key Takeaways
- The fitness industry employed 45,200 full-time workers in 2023, up 10% YoY.
- Australia had 4,200 fitness centres operating in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
- In 2023, the Australian fitness industry revenue reached AUD 2.4 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2018 to 2023 driven by post-COVID recovery.
- Australia's gym membership penetration rate reached 25.4% of the adult population in 2023.
- The most popular fitness activity among Australians was gym workouts at 28.1% participation rate in 2023.
Australian fitness industry growth is accelerating, showing strong demand for training and wellness services.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment and Economic Impact23 stats
01
The fitness industry employed 45,200 full-time workers in 2023, up 10% YoY.
02
Personal trainers numbered 32,000 certified professionals in 2023.
03
Gym managers and operators totalled 8,500 in 2023.
04
Fitness instructors (group classes) employed 12,400 FTE in 2023.
05
Industry wages bill reached AUD 1.8 billion in 2023.
06
Average personal trainer salary was AUD 85,000 annually in 2023.
07
Part-time fitness staff comprised 55% of workforce, 24,900 people in 2023.
08
NSW fitness jobs totalled 15,600 in 2023.
09
Victoria employed 11,200 in fitness sector 2023.
10
Queensland fitness employment was 8,900 FTE in 2023.
11
Females held 48% of fitness jobs, 21,700 positions in 2023.
12
New qualifications issued to 4,200 trainers in 2023 by Fitness Australia.
13
Turnover rate for fitness staff dropped to 18% in 2023.
14
Economic multiplier effect generated AUD 5.2 billion in broader economy from fitness in 2023.
15
WA fitness jobs numbered 4,100 in 2023.
16
SA employed 2,800 in fitness industry 2023.
17
Tasmania fitness workforce was 900 strong in 2023.
18
NT had 650 fitness sector employees in 2023.
19
ACT fitness jobs totalled 1,450 per capita highest.
20
Apprenticeships in fitness grew to 1,200 active in 2023.
21
Online fitness coaches numbered 5,600 freelancers in 2023.
22
Industry contributed AUD 120 million in taxes in 2023.
23
Job vacancies in fitness peaked at 3,200 unfilled in mid-2023.
Interpretation
Employment and Economic Impact Interpretation
Australia's fitness industry, now flexing hard with a 10% employment spike and a booming $5.2 billion economic ripple effect, clearly has the nation on a gainz-fueled treadmill of job creation, though it's still sweating to fill those last 3,200 pesky vacancies.
02 · Category
Facilities and Operators28 stats
01
Australia had 4,200 fitness centres operating in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
02
Low-cost gym chains operated 1,850 locations nationwide in 2023.
03
Boutique fitness studios numbered 1,100 in major cities in 2023.
04
24/7 unmanned gyms totalled 950 facilities in 2023.
05
NSW hosted 1,450 fitness facilities in 2023, 34.5% of national total.
06
Victoria had 1,120 gyms and studios operational in 2023.
07
Queensland fitness centres reached 850 in 2023.
08
Independent operators managed 2,100 facilities, 50% of market in 2023.
09
Franchise gyms like Anytime Fitness had 550 sites in 2023.
10
Fitness Australia accredited 3,800 facilities in 2023.
11
New gym openings totalled 320 in 2023 across Australia.
12
Closures reduced to 85 gyms in 2023 from 450 in 2020.
13
Average gym size expanded to 1,250 sqm in 2023.
14
WA facilities numbered 420 in 2023.
15
SA had 280 fitness centres in operation 2023.
16
Tasmania gyms totalled 75 facilities in 2023.
17
NT fitness venues were 55 in 2023.
18
ACT boasted 110 facilities per capita highest at 25 per 10,000 residents.
19
Yoga studios operated 650 locations in 2023.
20
CrossFit boxes numbered 220 in Australia 2023.
21
HIIT-specific gyms totalled 380 in 2023.
22
Pilates studios reached 520 nationwide in 2023.
23
Boxing gyms had 290 facilities in 2023.
24
Indoor cycling studios numbered 150 in 2023.
25
Multi-sport fitness centres totalled 1,200 in 2023.
26
University-affiliated gyms were 85 in 2023.
27
Hotel resort gyms numbered 420 across Australia 2023.
28
Community recreation centres with fitness: 650 in 2023.
Interpretation
Facilities and Operators Interpretation
Australia's 7% surge in fitness centres reveals a nation seriously flexing its options, from budget-friendly bulk to boutique specialization, with NSW stubbornly refusing to skip leg day in the national workout.
03 · Category
Market Size and Revenue30 stats
01
In 2023, the Australian fitness industry revenue reached AUD 2.4 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2018 to 2023 driven by post-COVID recovery.
02
Fitness centre revenue in Australia grew by 15.2% year-on-year in 2022-23 to exceed AUD 2.2 billion, fueled by increased health awareness.
03
The gym and fitness sector contributed AUD 1.9 billion to GDP in 2021, representing 0.08% of national GDP with projections to AUD 2.5 billion by 2025.
04
Online fitness services within Australia generated AUD 350 million in 2023, accounting for 14.6% of total industry revenue amid digital transformation.
05
New South Wales fitness market size stood at AUD 850 million in 2023, the largest state contribution at 35% of national total.
06
Victoria's fitness industry revenue hit AUD 650 million in 2022-23, growing 11% due to urban density and boutique studio boom.
07
Queensland gyms generated AUD 450 million in revenue for FY2023, boosted by tourism-related fitness offerings.
08
The low-cost gym segment in Australia amassed AUD 780 million in 2023, 32% of total revenue with 25% YoY growth.
09
Premium fitness clubs revenue totalled AUD 560 million in 2023, driven by high-end wellness integrations.
10
Fitness app subscriptions contributed AUD 180 million to industry revenue in 2023, with 2.1 million paid users.
11
Corporate wellness programs in fitness generated AUD 220 million in 2023 across Australia.
12
Western Australia's fitness revenue was AUD 280 million in 2023, up 18% from mining sector health initiatives.
13
Boutique fitness studios revenue peaked at AUD 420 million nationally in 2023.
14
The industry's export-related fitness services (tourist gyms) added AUD 95 million in 2023.
15
Fitness equipment sales to gyms totalled AUD 320 million in FY2023.
16
South Australia's fitness market revenue grew to AUD 150 million in 2023, CAGR 9.2% since 2019.
17
Tasmania fitness revenue reached AUD 45 million in 2023, with strong per capita spending.
18
Northern Territory gyms revenue was AUD 35 million in 2023, boosted by remote wellness programs.
19
ACT fitness industry revenue hit AUD 75 million in 2023, highest per capita at AUD 165 per resident.
20
Projected fitness industry revenue for 2024 is AUD 2.7 billion, assuming 12% growth continuation.
21
Pre-COVID peak revenue in 2019 was AUD 2.1 billion, with 2023 surpassing by 14%.
22
Functional fitness segment revenue grew to AUD 380 million in 2023.
23
Yoga and pilates studios contributed AUD 290 million to 2023 revenue.
24
CrossFit affiliates in Australia generated AUD 120 million in 2023.
25
HIIT class revenues totalled AUD 210 million across the nation in 2023.
26
Wearable tech integrations added AUD 75 million to fitness revenue in 2023.
27
Group fitness programs revenue was AUD 450 million in 2023.
28
Personal training services generated AUD 680 million, 28% of total industry revenue in 2023.
29
Home fitness equipment market within industry hit AUD 250 million in 2023 post-pandemic.
30
Virtual fitness classes revenue reached AUD 140 million in Australia for 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
Australia’s fitness industry, flexing hard after COVID, is now a $2.4 billion beast where online sweat sessions, low-cost gyms, and premium wellness temples prove that getting fit is no longer just a New Year's resolution but a serious, sprawling economic muscle.
More related reading
04 · Category
Membership and Participation30 stats
01
Australia's gym membership penetration rate reached 25.4% of the adult population in 2023.
02
Total active gym members numbered 6.8 million in 2023, up 9% from 2022.
03
AusPlay data shows 7.2 million Australians participated in gym activities weekly in 2023.
04
Women comprised 52.3% of fitness memberships in 2023, totaling 3.56 million.
05
18-34 year olds held 42% of all memberships, equating to 2.86 million in 2023.
06
Low-cost gyms had 3.9 million members in 2023, 57% market share.
07
Boutique studios boasted 1.2 million members attending classes weekly in 2023.
08
Corporate gym memberships grew to 850,000 in 2023 across Australia.
09
Online fitness platform users reached 2.4 million monthly actives in 2023.
10
Participation in organised fitness activities increased to 28.6% of adults in 2023 per AusPlay.
11
NSW had 2.1 million gym members in 2023, 31% of national total.
12
Victoria fitness participation rate was 32.1% among adults in 2023.
13
Queensland saw 1.4 million regular gym goers in 2023.
14
Seniors (65+) gym membership doubled to 450,000 in 2023 from 2019.
15
Men's fitness participation rate hit 29.8% in 2023, up from 24% pre-pandemic.
16
Average membership tenure increased to 18.2 months in 2023.
17
Churn rate for gyms dropped to 22.4% annually in 2023.
18
Hybrid membership models (gym + app) adopted by 1.8 million in 2023.
19
Youth (14-17) fitness memberships grew 15% to 650,000 in 2023.
20
WA fitness members totalled 550,000 in 2023.
21
SA participation rate reached 26.5% of population in 2023.
22
Tasmania had 95,000 gym members, highest per capita rate nationally.
23
NT fitness participants numbered 45,000 regularly in 2023.
24
ACT gym membership penetration was 35.2% in 2023.
25
Personal training client numbers hit 2.1 million sessions weekly in 2023.
26
Group class attendance averaged 4.2 million weekly in 2023.
27
Yoga participants totalled 1.9 million in 2023.
28
CrossFit members in Australia were 280,000 active in 2023.
29
HIIT class participants reached 1.1 million weekly in 2023.
30
Functional fitness enthusiasts numbered 950,000 in 2023.
Interpretation
Membership and Participation Interpretation
With over a quarter of adults now officially gym-goers, Australia appears to be collectively working out its great post-pandemic guilt, chasing endorphins everywhere from bargain-basement big boxes to bespoke boutiques, with even seniors and teens increasingly keen to join the sweat-drenched party.
05 · Category
Trends and Consumer Behavior26 stats
01
The most popular fitness activity among Australians was gym workouts at 28.1% participation rate in 2023.
02
62% of gym members cited weight loss as primary motivation in 2023 surveys.
03
Hybrid fitness (in-person + virtual) preferred by 48% of consumers in 2023.
04
Wearable device usage among gym goers reached 71% in 2023.
05
Mental health improvement ranked second motivator for 55% in 2023.
06
Group classes attendance surged 22% post-2022 in 2023.
07
Personalisation via apps sought by 65% of members in 2023.
08
Sustainable/eco-friendly gyms chosen by 34% in 2023 polls.
09
Females aged 25-34 showed 41% growth in HIIT participation 2023.
10
Post-COVID, 52% prioritised facilities with hygiene protocols in 2023.
11
Functional training popularity rose to 38% of class bookings in 2023.
12
Gamification in fitness apps boosted engagement by 29% in 2023.
13
Older adults (55+) increased strength training by 18% in 2023.
14
Vegan/plant-based recovery products used by 27% of serious trainees 2023.
15
Outdoor fitness events participation hit 1.5 million attendees in 2023.
16
AI-coached workouts adopted by 19% of app users in 2023.
17
Community-focused gyms saw 25% higher retention in 2023.
18
Recovery services like cryotherapy used by 22% elite gym users 2023.
19
Social media influence drove 37% of new memberships in 2023.
20
Flexible month-to-month contracts chosen by 61% in 2023.
21
Mindfulness/yoga hybrid classes grew 31% in bookings 2023.
22
Men's wellness focus increased 24% in self-care spending 2023.
23
E-sports fitness crossovers emerged with 8% trial rate 2023.
24
Nutrition tracking integrated in 44% of gym apps 2023.
25
Women over 40 boosted barre/pilates by 16% participation 2023.
26
Corporate wellness challenges engaged 1.2 million employees 2023.
Interpretation
Trends and Consumer Behavior Interpretation
Australians have clearly decided that getting fit is now a high-tech, personalised, and socially-conscious endeavor where the goal is not just to lose weight, but to gamify your progress in a clean, flexible gym while being coached by an AI and recovering with a plant-based shake.
Reference
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APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Australia Fitness Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-fitness-industry-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Australia Fitness Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-fitness-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Australia Fitness Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-fitness-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
44 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level