Sporting facilities hierarchies are based on the level of competition played at a site. Whilst the ability to host events is considered this is not the primary focus for defining the use. A definition of each hierarchy is below.
State
A state level facility caters for a club that has at least one senior team registered in a state-wide competition on a regular basis.
State level facilities can host state or national events with or without the addition of temporary ancillary infrastructure. State level facilities have a very high level of construction and maintenance. They may also have a secondary playing area constructed at a lower standard than the primary playing area.
Regional
A regional level facility caters for:
- the operation of an Association that delivers centralised competition, or
- a club that has at least one senior team registered in the upper division/s of a regional competition on a regular basis.
A regional facility may be located at a multi-sport complex and share facilities with other sports. This allows the hosting of large-scale, high participation events at most levels, with or without temporary ancillary infrastructure. Regional level venues are constructed and maintained to a high standard but may have a primary field/court developed to a higher standard than the rest.
Local – Category A
A local - category A level facility caters for the regular training and competition needs of a club that has junior and/or lower-grade senior competitors.
Local facilities are generally only able to accommodate small-scale events. Local level venues are constructed and maintained to a base standard that caters for high use.
Category A sports include:
- Australian rules football (AFL)
- baseball
- cricket
- football
- gridiron
- hockey
- rugby league
- rugby union.
Local – Category B
A local - Category B level facility caters for the training needs of clubs that compete in a centralised competition at another venue or conducts intra-club or social competition.
Except for training only facilities, local level venues may be able to host inter-club competition and higher levels events.
Local level venues are constructed and maintained to a base standard that caters for high use.
Category B sports include:
- athletics
- baseball
- cricket
- cycling
- equestrian
- hockey
- softball
- tennis
- touch football, or
- any other sport that operates a social competition only.
Satellite
A satellite facility caters for the overflow training and/or competition needs of a club based at another venue and may be available for casual use by the public.
Satellite venues are generally located within public parks or school grounds. Satellite facilities have a basic level of sport-specific infrastructure for the activity to be safely undertaken and should include access to shade and amenities only.
Satellite venues may include, for example:
- a cricket wicket in an open space
- a back net for softball training, or
- a fenced tennis court.