82% of Australia engages with video games

82% of Australians play video games, according to data from the 2025 Australia Plays study.

Conducted by the International Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) and Bond University, the study consisted of 1,241 Australian households represented by participants aged 18 and over.

Looking at households, most have two or more devices for playing video games at 74% while almost half have three or more game devices. 87% of Australian gamers play on console, followed by 71% on smartphone and 58% on PC.

The study also found that the average age of Australian players is 35-years-old, with 81% over the age of 18. The highest proportion of players was working-age adults at 84%, with two-thirds of retirement-age adults also playing games.

As for why Australians play games, a “sense of achievement” was the most important for 91% of respondents. They also felt that “the experience of exploring” and “competing” were important incentives for gaming sessions.

77% of Australians play games socially, with Australia Plays observing that “social play is inversely related to age” with older respondents tending to play games solo.

Looking at gender, just over half of gamers in Australia are female while 48% are male. Australia Plays noted that this result “is the first time in [its] research series where female players account for half of the video game player population” in Australia.

Elsewhere, over 70% of parents said they were aware of in-game controls for their children.

Of the 394 parents representing 1,241 households in the study, most felt familiar with parental controls on console, with nearly three-quarters reporting they were either completely or quite familiar. 75% of parents said they have rules for children around gaming.

Parents also noted that 42% of children’s schools “use games to facilitate teaching”, with 29% including game development in its technology curriculum while 27% have dedicated clubs for games in a variety of contexts”.

“This year’s study shows more parents enjoy and understand games that we are often led to believe,” said IGEA CEO Ron Curry. “Beyond that they also see how games can enhance learning and skill development.”

“Video games have benefits beyond just providing fun, joy, and entertainment, which include providing connection with others, learning and education opportunities and mental health benefits.”

Author of the report and professor at Bond University Jeffrey Brand added: “The findings in this year’s study show that Australians believe games create an engaging environment for children and adults to learn and develop skills from video games.”