Blueprint sets out vision for a more active Australia

Media release: Thursday 12 November 2026

Fourth edition of the Blueprint for an Active Australia launched.

The Heart Foundation has today launched the fourth edition of the Blueprint for an Active Australia, an evidence-based framework to help create environments that make it easier for people to be physically active.

The need for action remains significant. Only 18 per cent of children and young people aged 5 and 17 meet the recommended levels of aerobic and strengthening activity, while fewer than one-quarter of adults aged 18 to 64 meet the combined national physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines.

Developed in collaboration with 70 leading Australian researchers and practitioners, the fourth edition of the Blueprint includes recommended actions in 12 areas to improve physical activity for children and young people, older adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and other priority populations who face greater barriers to being physically active.

Elizabeth Calleja, Senior Advisor Physical Activity at the Heart Foundation said the Blueprint examined the policies, environments and systems that influence how regularly people undertake physical activity to see what could be improved.

“We already know a great deal about what supports physical activity. The opportunity is to translate that evidence into action, building on what is already working and strengthening collaboration across sectors,” Ms Calleja said.

The Blueprint also calls for a comprehensive National Physical Activity Plan to strengthen coordination. The plan would unite existing national strategies and align the work of every level of government behind shared goals.

View the Blueprint for an Active Australia.