How to become a Recreation Officer

Also called: Recreation Activities Officer (Recreation), Sport and Recreation Officer

Plans, organises and coordinates recreation facilities and programs through various organisations, such as local governments, schools, religious bodies and youth organisations, to promote physical, social and emotional wellbeing within communities.

Main tasks

• Assists to establish and administer neighbourhood houses, community groups, employment training programs and other services
• Organises and promotes local sporting, social, recreational, cultural and educational activities and programs in local community groups
• Assists and supports individuals to participate in community activities
• Researches and identifies issues of local need, concerns and aspirations through community consultation
• Delivers integrated projects, plans and policies that guide the management and use of open spaces, sportsgrounds and recreational facilities
• Organises point of sale and hire agreements, and provides information to staff, sporting teams, and community and corporate groups on matters relating to community sport, grounds and reserves
• Provides training and support to staff including voluntary workers running groups in halls, schools and places of worship
• May evaluate the effectiveness of programs and activities, and use this information to provide feedback for the improvement and development of programs

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Leisure and Health (CHC43415); Diploma of Arts and Health (CUA51320); Diploma of Leisure and Health (CHC53415); Diploma of Outdoor Leadership (SIS50421); Diploma of Sport, Aquatics and Recreation Management (SIS50122); Certificate III in Active Volunteering (CHC34015); Certificate III in Local Government (LGA30120); Certificate II in Local Government (LGA20120)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $101,920 a year
• About 40,500 people work in this job group now, and about 49,900 are projected by 2035. (+23.4%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Sports Development Officer
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Youth Justice Worker
• Child Protection Practitioner
• Family Violence Practitioner
• Community Development Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Recreation Officer?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Leisure and Health; Diploma of Arts and Health.

How much does a Recreation Officer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $101,920 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Recreation Officer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 40,500 to about 49,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Recreation Officer?

Not always. 35% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Leisure and Health; Diploma of Arts and Health.

Will AI change the work of a Recreation Officer?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04