The Australian Physical Literacy Framework – Sport Australia

The Australian Physical Literacy Framework promotes a shared vision, common language and consistent understanding about what physical literacy is and how it can be developed.

Physical literacy is about developing the skills, knowledge and behaviours that give us the confidence and motivation to lead active lives.

Physical literacy involves holistic lifelong learning through movement and physical activity. It can help Australians at every stage of life develop and maintain positive physical activity behaviours and delivers physical, psychological, social and cognitive health and wellbeing benefits.

The Australian Physical Literacy framework identifies 30 elements across the four physical literacy domains – physical, psychological, social and cognitive – and helps people understand the progression through each element, using a simple, staged approach.

The Australian Physical Literacy framework draws on practice, both locally and internationally, and is informed by the Australian Curriculum and peer-reviewed research into what supports lifelong engagement in movement and physical activity.

The Australian Physical Literacy Framework:

• categorises a range of movement-related skills, knowledge and behaviours into interrelated domains, elements and stages
• helps identify a person’s capability across all four domains and allows people to make informed decisions about their physical literacy
• provides a common language around effective development of physical literacy
• accommodates the entire range of abilities, ages and backgrounds of all Australians.

Please note: This framework uses the following definition for physical literacy:

Physical literacy is lifelong holistic learning acquired and applied in movement and physical activity contexts. It reflects ongoing changes integrating physical, psychological, social and cognitive capabilities. It is vital in helping us lead healthy and fulfilling lives through movement and physical activity. A physically literate person is able to draw on their integrated physical, psychological, social and cognitive capabilities to support health promoting and fulfilling movement and physical activity – relative to their situation and context – throughout the lifespan.