I reviewed the new Australian Government Movement and Fitness Guidelines earlier this year – refer to Part One here. As I mentioned in that article, I was highly critical of several aspects of this extremely lengthy document.
Firstly, the report is enormous. It was produced by a panel of experts, many of whom appear to come primarily from academic backgrounds. While research is essential, I struggled to find many contributors with extensive day-to-day experience working directly with people in gyms, sporting clubs, schools, or community fitness programs.
Secondly, who exactly was this document written for? I honestly have no idea. My concern is that it will largely be read by politicians, policy makers, and bureaucrats rather than the Australians whose health outcomes it aims to improve.
Finally, after spending considerable time reviewing both the guidelines and this year’s health budget, I found very little emphasis on resourcing genuine preventative health initiatives. We continue to spend enormous amounts of money treating health problems after they occur rather than investing in programs that help prevent them in the first place.
How Can We Promote Movement and Fitness in Australia?
We all know that physical activity, exercise, and healthy nutrition are critical components of preventative health. The real challenge is getting more Australians to participate consistently. Simply telling people that exercise is good for them is clearly not enough. Australia needs practical, community-based fitness initiatives rather than more reports sitting on shelves.
What the Australian Movement and Fitness Guidelines Can Learn from Sweden
Throughout my career, I have been passionate about preventative health and long-term fitness strategies.
Several years ago, I was invited to present at the UK Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference on periodising an English Premier League football program. During the conference, I attended as many sessions as possible and one presentation from a Swedish researcher particularly caught my attention.
After the presentation, we spoke at length about preventative health programs. When he asked how many large-scale preventative fitness initiatives existed in Australia, I struggled to give him an answer.
He then explained a highly successful five-year program that had been implemented in a small Swedish city.
Key Features of the Swedish Health Initiative
Participants received several incentives, including:
- Free gym memberships
- Free professional training support
- Training apparel, including tracksuits and footwear
- Free medical support services, including physiotherapy
- Regular health and fitness assessments
- Ongoing health monitoring
- Paid time during work hours to exercise
Researchers also tracked:
- Workplace absenteeism
- Employee productivity
- Long-term workforce participation
- Health care expenditure
- Economic outcomes for participating businesses
The Results
The program worked.
Health and fitness levels improved significantly. Government health costs declined. Workplace productivity increased. Both employees and employers benefited.
The Swedish presenter finished our conversation with a simple question:
“Why wouldn’t a sports-mad country like Australia do something similar?”
It’s a question I’ve never forgotten.
The Proposal That Went Nowhere
Inspired by the Swedish model, I returned to Australia and, with assistance from Fit Education, developed a proposal for a large-scale preventative health pilot program.
We presented it to a senior figure within Sport and Recreation.
Initially, he seemed interested.
Six months later, I returned to his office only to find our proposal still sitting untouched in his in-tray.
His response was simple:
“Five years is too long. There’s an election coming, and we need programs that show results immediately.”
Unfortunately, I received a very similar response from federal representatives.
What made the situation even more frustrating was that we had already identified Charleville, in Western Queensland, as the ideal location for the pilot, as Fit Education had already delivered multiple Certificate III and IV Fitness qualifications in the region and helped establish a quality fitness facility there. Charleville also had a passionate Queensland Health employee who was championing preventative health initiatives throughout the community.
Then a change of government occurred. She and many of her colleagues involved in preventative care programs were made redundant, and our proposal effectively died overnight.
I must admit that my enthusiasm for pursuing the project took a major hit.
When Prevention Takes a Back Seat
Around the same period, I was involved in a Sport and Recreation initiative called Lockerooms, where a group of Olympians, sporting personalities, and myself visited remote communities to share stories and inspire local residents.
It was a worthwhile program, but ultimately it was a band-aid solution rather than a long-term preventative strategy.
One trip took us to Bamaga, an Indigenous community at the northern tip of Queensland.
The government had invested in building a quality fitness facility. Unfortunately, it remained closed because there was nobody locally trained to operate it.
The facility sat unused for three years.
During one visit, I met a Queensland Health team working in the area. We discussed the increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes within the community.
I assumed they were implementing exercise and nutrition interventions.
I was wrong.
Their solution was to install an additional dialysis machine because existing facilities were under pressure from the number of advanced diabetes cases.
While additional medical equipment was certainly necessary, I couldn’t help wondering why there wasn’t an equally strong focus on preventing the problem in the first place.
That conversation left a lasting impression on me.
A Success Story from Quilpie
Thankfully, not every story ends in disappointment.
One of the most successful community fitness projects I have been involved with was the establishment of a fitness centre in Quilpie, Queensland.
The initiative was driven by the local council and supported by a committed community.
Over approximately two years, grants were secured, infrastructure was developed, and the facility was successfully launched.
Importantly, Fit Education trained more than 20 local residents with nationally recognised fitness qualifications, helping create sustainable local capability rather than relying on external staff.
The result?
More than 60% of the town became members and regularly used the facility. The gym evolved into far more than a place to exercise. It became a genuine community hub.
Why It Worked
Several factors contributed to the success:
- Affordable membership fees
- Free volunteer training opportunities
- Strong community ownership
- Qualified local fitness leaders
- Accessible facilities for all residents
If you ever find yourself travelling through western Queensland, it’s well worth dropping in for a workout.
The Bottom Line
The new Australian Government Movement and Fitness Guidelines contain plenty of valuable information. However, information alone rarely changes behaviour.
If Australia wants to improve health outcomes, reduce chronic disease, lower healthcare costs, and increase productivity, we need to invest more heavily in prevention rather than rehabilitation.
The Swedish model demonstrated what is possible.
The Quilpie example showed it can work in Australia.
The challenge now is finding the leadership and long-term vision to make it happen on a larger scale.
Thanks for reading this two-part series. I’ve certainly enjoyed sharing my experiences and perspectives from over four decades in the health and fitness industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Australian Movement Guidelines?
The Australian Movement and Fitness Guidelines are evidence-based recommendations developed by the Australian Government to help Australians improve their health through regular physical activity, reduced sedentary behaviour and adequate sleep. The 2026 guidelines provide specific recommendations for children, adults, older adults, pregnant women, people with disability and those living with chronic health conditions.
Learn more about the fitness industry and exercise education at Fit Education:
👉 https://fiteducation.edu.au/
Why is Preventative Health Important?
Preventative health aims to reduce the likelihood of chronic disease, injury, and poor health outcomes before they occur. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and healthy lifestyle habits can significantly reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve quality of life.
Learn more:
👉 https://fiteducation.edu.au/courses/
How Can Communities Improve Local Health Outcomes?
Successful communities often combine affordable facilities, qualified instructors, local leadership, education, and strong community engagement to create sustainable exercise opportunities.
Learn more:
What is Fit Education?
Fit Education is one of Australia’s leading providers of fitness and sport qualifications, delivering nationally recognised training for aspiring fitness professionals, coaches, and industry leaders.
Learn more:
How Do I Become a Personal Trainer in Australia?
To become a Personal Trainer in Australia, you typically need to complete:
- SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness
- SIS40221 Certificate IV in Fitness
These nationally recognised qualifications provide the knowledge and practical skills required to work as a Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer.
Fit Education offers flexible study options, experienced educators and industry-focused training to help students build successful careers in fitness.
Explore all available courses: