The Health Social and Economic Value of the National Aquatic Industry
Report Highlights Video
See an overview of the report and major findings at the below video:
About the Report
The report, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers and commissioned by the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, looked at the 2,113 publicly accessible aquatic facilities across the country, finding almost 90 percent of Australians live within a 20-minute drive of their nearest pool.
The report reinforces the myriad of ways that the aquatic industry benefits the Australian community and found that the industry:
- Contributes $9.1billion annually in combined economic, health and social benefits
- Is a driver of economic activity throughout Australia, employing the equivalent of 33,600 full time employees and adding $2.8 billion to gross domestic product (GDP)
- Is a generator of $2.5 billion in health benefits, ranging across a reduction in the burden of disease, improved mental health outcomes, reduced absenteeism, and fewer childhood drownings
- Is a provider of $3.8 billion’s worth of social benefits such as: enhancing an individual’s leisure time or creating increased life satisfaction; by bringing people together; supporting more vulnerable groups; and supporting early learning
- Saves 7,479 disability adjusted life years every year
- Provides a social return on investment of $4.87 for every dollar spent operating an aquatic facility in a capital city or $2.18 in regional Australia
- Employs over 67,000 employees, making it one of the largest employers in the sport and recreation sector
- Provides highly accessible leisure, fitness and learning to the 89% of Australians who live within 20 minutes’ drive of a public pool
- Generates valuable economic activity throughout regional Australia, as 57% of aquatic facilities are located outside of capital cities
