This publication compares results from the surveys of Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities (CPCLA) (cat. no. 4901.0) conducted in April of 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012. While the publication primarily provides information about the participation of children aged 5 to 14 years in cultural, sporting and other leisure activities, some information on children's use of the Internet is also presented.
This publication also includes Datacubes in spreadsheet format available on the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>.
The survey of Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities is conducted throughout Australia as part of the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) Monthly Population Survey (MPS). The 2012 survey was the fifth on the topic of children's participation in culture and leisure activities, the previous surveys being conducted in April of 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009. Information is collected from any responsible adult in the household who was asked to respond on behalf of the children in the household.
The surveys have collected information on children's participation in selected organised cultural activities and organised sports outside of school hours during the twelve months prior to interview. They also collected information on participation in selected leisure activities (such as skateboarding or rollerblading, and watching TV, videos and DVDs) outside of school hours during the two most recent school weeks prior to interview. Details were collected on the characteristics of children who participated and on the frequency and duration of their involvement in some activities.
Unless otherwise specified, differences between data items highlighted in the commentary are statistically significant.