Historically, sport and recreation have been seen as an integral part of the Australian culture and in many ways have helped create our national identity. In recent years, sport and recreation services have become increasingly commercialised and professionalised. Governments at all levels require sporting organisations to be managed more efficiently and to provide a greater degree of accountability for public monies. This field provides effective entrepreneurial and strategic management skills, enabling graduates to succeed in this industry.

Sport management positions are continually expanding in the following areas: Professional sporting associations ; national and state and sporting associations eg. Queensland Volleyball Association; University sport and recreation associations eg. UQ Sport commercial recreation & sport facilities/aquatics Manager; commercial venues including fitness centres, gymnasiums, and sport and hiring of sport and recreation equipment and retail outlets; state and local government sport & recreation departments eg. Sport development officer; professional Associations