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AUSactive’s lobbying of the Federal Government to prioritise the implementation of fitness initiatives to promote healthier workplaces is gaining backing from professions concerned about employee wellbeing.

Calling on the Federal Government to implement fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for fitness in the 2024/25 Federal budget, AUSactive has gained support from representatives in the legal, mining and technology sectors.

In a submission to the Federal Treasurer, AUSactive is calling for an exemption under the existing FBT legislation to enable employers to be able to pay for gym memberships for their staff in the budget.

AUSactive Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish explains “these changes need no budget allocation but will support employers to promote physical activity to improve people’s wellbeing, and will incentivise individuals to invest in their health by taking up exercise programs.

“There is a critical need for initiatives that enhance physical well-being in the workforce and we also propose an income tax deduction for bona fide active health participation including gym memberships.

“The detrimental impact of Australians' sedentary lifestyles is contributing to the staggering $27 billion spent treating chronic diseases annually, yet these conditions are somewhat preventable -36% of disease could be improved through modifying risk factors such as physical inactivity.

“By reducing barriers to access physical activity, we will see a reduction in government spend on Medicare as Australians will reduce their risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, depression, anxiety, and dementia - with huge economic gain.”

With Australians living and working longer, AUSactive argues employers should be able to offer staff gym memberships or home fitness equipment as a benefit and claim the costs against tax.

Noting this, Elvish advised “to achieve longer working lives, workplaces need to become more supportive of workers, especially mature ones, and accommodate long-term health conditions.”

Need for a National Public Health Campaign
AUSactive is also advocating for a third crucial initiative - a partnership between the Federal Government and grassroots organisations to develop and activate a national public health campaign to educate about the vital role of physical activity in enhancing physical and mental well-being.

It also suggests other strategic initiatives that align with the government's objectives to ease cost-of-living pressures, implement the National Preventive Health Strategy to combat chronic diseases and reduce financial demands on the health system.

Elvish explains “by empowering individuals to apply this knowledge and make informed decisions, significant savings will be made in the healthcare budget, stemming from reduced hospital admissions and reliance on treatments for preventable conditions through the promotion of physical activity.

“Together, these proposals will provide a transformative approach in preventive healthcare and will support our economy, with a proactive investment in the well-being of Australians.”

Research shows sedentary behaviour, i.e. excessive sitting, is associated with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease, various cancers and premature mortality.”

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimates physical inactivity accounted for around $2.4 billion in health spending in 2018/19. The cost to the health system would have been $1.7 billion higher without the health benefits from current levels of physical activity, including sport, undertaken in Australia.

Elvish goes on to say “we spend $450 each year for every man, woman and child in Australia treating mental health problems, yet research shows exercise is 1.5 times more effective than pharmaceuticals or counselling in treating anxiety and depression.”

Fit for Office
AUSactive sparked political action around fitness in September with its bipartisan Fit for Office initiative which saw 28 MPs and their staff battle it out over four weeks to burn more than two million calories, with Labor's Dr Andrew Leigh and the Coalition's Angus Taylor coming first and second.

Political and Employer Backing
AUSactive’s call for more workplace-based physcial activity initiatives is backed by Federal Parliamentarians Senator Anne Ruston, Shadow Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, and Independent member for Warringah, lawyer and former Winter Olympic athlete, Zali Steggall. Senator Ruston is also calling for a National Public Health Campaign.

AUSactive’s FBT examption call is also supported by Andrew Lacey, Managing Principal at McCabes Lawyers; Ed Chung, Chief Executive at TechnologyOne and John Haines, General Manager for Wellbeing at Western Australian-based Mineral Resources Limited. 

Currently, the mining industry offers subsidised fitness packages at all locations and charges just $5 a week for its 1000 employees and their family members to use the health centres, which have full state-of-the-art gyms, tennis courts, personal training sessions and yoga studios.

Images: AUSactive Chief Executive Barrie Elvish with Fit for Office MPs (top), AUSactive is advocating for a Need for a National Public Health Campaign (middle, credit: Shutterstock) and Senator Anne Ruston at the launch of the 2023 Fit for Office initiative with AUSactive board member Emmett Williams (below).

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