School sports programs have been conducted in Australia for as long as schools have been established. As a result, Schools Sports bodies (Primary and Secondary) in the states have been operating for many years. Interstate school sporting competitions in Australia based on state representative teams can be traced back to the 1920’s when Australian Football and Netball events were conducted and started to expand rapidly during the 1970’s. To enhance the organisation, associations comprising officials from each State and Territory were formed, culminating in the early 1970’s in the formation of the Australian Primary Schools Sports Association and the Australian Secondary Schools Sports Federation as bodies responsible for co-ordinating all aspects of interstate competition.

School Sport Australia was formed in 1981 to act as the parent body for all school sport and as the focal point for an expanding organisation. Since its establishment in 1981, School Sport Australia has been responsible for the development and promotion of school sport in Australia.

State Member bodies implement School Sport Australia programs, shape policies, and facilitate diverse sporting opportunities for students via state networks. The key focus has been on interstate competitions at primary and secondary levels, serving as the pinnacle of state programs. These events allow gifted students to engage in higher-level sporting competition while offering significant educational, cultural, and social benefits beyond sports.