In the last decade esports has gone from basement LAN parties to multimillion dollar stadium events with hundreds of millions of global viewers. While countries like South Korea, the US and China have been leading the charge in professionalising competitive gaming, Australia has been catching up. But as the hype dies down and the reality of long term sustainability sets in, many ask the question: Is esports in Australia a real career or just a fad?
The Rise of Esports Down Under
Australia’s esports scene exploded in the mid 2010s with major titles like League of Legends, CS:GO, Dota 2 and Fortnite going national. The creation of domestic tournaments like the Oceanic Pro League (OPL) and the ESL Australia & NZ Championship gave local players a chance to shine on a regional and sometimes global stage.
Events like PAX Australia, Melbourne Esports Open and DreamHack Melbourne have further pushed esports into the mainstream, with thousands of attendees at each event. Universities like QUT and UOW now offer esports scholarships and degrees, showing the growing institutional support for this digital sport.
The Business of Gaming
Behind every great tournament is a robust ecosystem of sponsors, teams, streaming platforms and media coverage. Australian esports teams like The Chiefs, ORDER and Ground Zero have partnered with big brands like Red Bull, Alienware and Intel, so the commercial interest is real.
Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming have opened up monetisation opportunities for players and content creators, to earn through subscriptions, ads and sponsorships. For many, these revenue streams rival – and sometimes surpass – traditional salaries.
Career Paths Beyond Playing
Not every aspiring gamer will become the next big esports superstar, but the industry offers many career paths:
- Shoutcasting and Commentary: With a voice and deep game knowledge, commentators bring matches to life.
- Team Management and Coaching: Behind the scenes, analysts and coaches shape strategy and discipline.
- Event Organisation: From logistics to marketing, esports events require extensive planning and staffing.
- Broadcast Production: Technical directors, camera operators and editors are all essential.* Esports Journalism and Content Creation: News platforms, YouTubers and podcasters provide coverage and insight.
These roles require skills transferable across other industries, so there’s some stability even if one’s path in esports evolves over time.
Challenges in the Australian Esports Scene
Despite the positives, Australia’s esports industry isn’t without issues:
- Geographical Isolation: Competing internationally is hard due to latency and travel costs.
- Funding: Compared to Europe or Asia, Australia has fewer corporate investors.
- League Closures: The OPL shutting down in 2020 raised questions about long term viability.
- Lack of Infrastructure: Outside of Sydney and Melbourne, access to high end gaming facilities and tournaments is limited.
These challenges fuel doubt about esports as a stable career choice, especially for young players and their parents.
Esports and the Mainstream Culture Shift
The broader cultural acceptance of gaming has played a huge role in legitimising esports. Celebrities, athletes and musicians are streaming or investing in teams. Even traditional sports clubs like the Adelaide Crows and Essendon Bombers have backed esports teams, blending physical and digital arenas.
Government funding is also starting to support the industry. The Victorian Government’s backing of DreamHack Melbourne in 2022 was a turning point in recognising esports as a legitimate entertainment sector.
The Crypto Connection
As digital industries merge, esports has found an unlikely ally in cryptocurrency and online gaming platforms. Players, especially streamers and professional gamers, are increasingly integrating with crypto platforms — from NFT partnerships to decentralised prize pools.
In this crossover ecosystem, many gamers are using crypto platforms to earn extra income through sponsorships and affiliate deals. For example, casual gamers exploring online gaming often use crypto casino bonus codes for rewards, tapping into loyalty programs and digital perks that can fuel their gaming lifestyle. While separate from esports in a competitive sense, these adjacent communities share overlapping audiences and technological fluency.
Success Stories
Several Australians have already made a career out of esports:
- Jesse “INS” Lin (CS:GO): A regular in the Oceania scene with multiple international appearances.
- Chris “Goobies” Kelly (Dota 2): A respected coach and analyst known for his game knowledge.* Loserfruit (Kathleen Belsten): While more of a streamer than a traditional esports athlete, she’s one of the top Australian Twitch streamers and represents Fortnite globally.
These pioneers show that with talent, hard work and the right support, a career in esports is possible – even from Australia.
Is It Stable?
Esports has glamorous moments and financial rewards, but it’s also high pressure and competitive. Only a small percentage make it to the top and burnout is common. Like any professional sport, longevity is tied to performance, health and adaptability.
That’s why diversification – through streaming, coaching or content creation – is key. The smart esports professional builds a brand, not just a kill-death ratio.
Conclusion: Career or Fad?
So, is esports in Australia a real career or just a passing trend?
The evidence says it’s a real career – though a highly competitive one. The infrastructure, sponsorship, academic interest and audience growth are all there. But it’s not for everyone. Success requires skill, discipline, business acumen and sometimes a bit of luck.
But for those willing to put in the work and adapt, esports is a cool, modern way into one of the fastest growing global industries – and in Australia, it’s just getting started.
