How to become a Sports Development Officer
Develops, promotes, delivers and manages a range of community sport and recreation activities and programs.
Main tasks
- Develops and implements sports development programs and initiatives
- Promotes and markets sports and activities to the community
- Provides guidance and support to individuals and groups in developing their sports skills
- Organises and coordinates sports events, competitions and training sessions
- Collaborates with schools, community organisations and sporting clubs to increase sports participation
- Evaluates the effectiveness of sports development programs
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation (SIS30122); Diploma of Sport (SIS50321); Certificate II in Sport and Recreation (SIS20122); Certificate IV in Sport Development (SIS40421); Certificate IV in Community Development (CHC42121)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $74,984 a year
- About 58,800 people work in this job group now, and about 65,900 are projected by 2035. (+12.1%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
- Recreation 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 Sports Development Officer?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation; Diploma of Sport.
How much does a Sports Development Officer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $74,984 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Sports Development Officer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 58,800 to about 65,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Sports Development Officer?
Not always. 47% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation; Diploma of Sport.
Will AI change the work of a Sports Development Officer?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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