Video games are now firmly part of Australian life, with 82% of the population playing, according to the newly released Australia Plays 2025 report from the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) and Bond University.
The study, which surveyed 1,241 households, found the average gamer is 35 years old and 81% of players are adults.
The stereotype of video games being the domain of children is increasingly outdated, with 84% of working-age adults and two-thirds of retirement-age Australians regularly playing.
Platforms of choice remain diverse: 87% of players use consoles, 71% play on smartphones, and 58% on PCs. Most homes (74%) have at least two devices capable of gaming, with nearly half reporting three or more.
In a milestone for the industry, women now make up just over half (51%) of the gaming population, compared to 48% men – marking the first time female players have edged ahead in the study’s history.
Motivations for gaming vary, but 91% of respondents cited a “sense of achievement” as the key driver, with exploration and competition also ranking highly.
Social play is widespread, with 77% of Australians playing with others, though older players are more likely to game solo.
Parents are also increasingly engaged with gaming.
Of the households surveyed, 70% of parents said they were aware of in-game controls, and three-quarters enforce rules around children’s play.
Games are also finding a place in classrooms: 42% of schools reportedly use them as teaching tools, with nearly a third incorporating game development into the curriculum.
“This year’s study shows more parents enjoy and understand games than we are often led to believe,” said IGEA CEO Ron Curry.
“Beyond entertainment, games provide connection, learning, and mental health benefits.”
Professor Jeffrey Brand of Bond University added that Australians see games as “an engaging environment for children and adults to learn and develop skills.”
Australians’ 14-year average gaming history shows how video games have moved beyond a pastime to become a fixture of mainstream culture.