Annual Census Survey

For recognised sport and recreation organisations

About the Annual Census Survey 

The Annual Census Survey (Census) is the primary mechanism used by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) to collect key information and participation data from state sporting associations (SSAs) and state active recreation organisations (SAROs). 

The Census provides organisations with an opportunity to review and report on their activities, participation, membership, workforce and organisational performance for the reporting period. Collectively, this information helps build a consistent picture of the sport and active recreation sector across Western Australia. 

Completion of the Census is a requirement under each SSA and SARO's Industry Investment Program (IIP) Key Result Schedule and contributes to sector-wide reporting and analysis. 

Why we collect Census data 

The Census provides valuable information that helps CITS, SSAs and SAROs understand the performance, reach and impact of sport and active recreation across Western Australia. 

Census data is used to: 

  • monitor participation, membership and workforce trends across the sector
  • identify opportunities, challenges and areas requiring support
  • support evidence-based planning, policy development and investment decisions
  • demonstrate the value and impact of sport and active recreation in Western Australia
  • build a consistent evidence base to monitor changes and measure progress over time
  • inform the Annual Organisation Performance Assessment (AOPA
  • meet reporting requirements under the IIP Key Result Schedule.

Accurate and timely data helps ensure decisions, planning and future investment are informed by reliable sector-wide information.   

Reporting period

All SSAs and SAROs are required to complete the Census annually. 

The Census reporting period aligns with the financial year (1 July to 30 June). Organisations should report data from the most recent competition season completed within that financial year. 

Example: For the 2026 Census (reporting period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026): 

  • a Football season ending in September 2025 should be reported in full
  • a Water Polo season ending in March 2026 should be reported in full. 

Census due dates

The Census opens on 1 October and closes on 30 November each year. All submissions must be completed by the closing date. 

Completing the Census 

The Census is completed online through Game Plan, the Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) sport management and planning platform.  

Follow the steps below to access, complete and submit your Census through Game Plan.   

Do not use the Club Game Plan portal (https://gameplan.ausport.gov.au/) as this is a separate platform and will not provide access to the Census.  

Additional information about Game Plan is available on the ASC website

2. Check user access

Before starting the Census, ensure the appropriate staff members/Board members have access to your organisation's Game Plan account and the required permissions to complete and submit the Census. 

Please contact your Sport and Recreation Advisor for assistance, if:

  • you do not know your login details 
  • you are unsure who manages your organisation's Game Plan account 
  • there have been staff or board changes since the previous Census
  • you would like help to understand the census questions.

Super Users can add, edit and remove users by selecting My Organisation Users from the user menu within Game Plan and assigning the appropriate access level. 

3. Locate the Census

Once logged in:

  1. select Assessments from the main menu. 
  2. scroll through the list of available assessments. 
  3. select the WA Census for the current reporting year. 

The Census will open and you can begin entering your organisation's data. 

4. Complete the Census

Work through each section of the Census and enter the required information.

The Census: 

  • can be completed by one person or multiple people within your organisation 
  • automatically saves your responses as you progress 
  • does not need to be completed in a single session.

You can log out and return later to continue where you left off. 

5.  Submit your Census 

Once all sections have been completed and reviewed: 

  1. navigate to the end of the Census
  2. select Submit

Your Census is not considered complete until it has been submitted.  

6. Update a submitted Census  

If you need to amend a response after submission, contact gameplan@ausport.gov.au who will be able to reopen the survey.  

Once the Census has been reopened and the updates have been made, you will need to select Submit again to finalise the revised submission.

7. Access previous Census reports 

Previous Census reports can be viewed in Game Plan by:  

  1. selecting Reports
  2. selecting Organisational Reports
  3. selecting the relevant WA Census report.  
Current-year Census reports will become available once submissions have been processed.

Need help?

For questions about the Census, including reporting requirements or data collection, please contact your Sport and Recreation Advisor

For technical support with Game Plan, contact the ASC Support Team: gameplan@ausport.gov.au 

Please note that the ASC Support Team operates during Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) business hours. 

Page reviewed 20 August 2026