How to start playing padel in Australia

In short: To start playing padel in Australia, find a club near you (see our city guides below or Padel Australia's court finder), book a court or a beginner session in the club's app (usually Playtomic), and turn up in comfortable sportswear and court shoes. Most clubs hire out rackets, so you don't need to buy anything for your first game. An intro class or a beginner social is the quickest way to learn the serve, the scoring and the walls.

Padel is easy to pick up, and Australia now has dozens of clubs. In November 2026 we verified 37 operating venues across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Canberra. This guide takes you from "what is padel?" to your first match, step by step.

What is padel?

Padel is a racket sport played almost always in doubles, on an enclosed court 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, with a net across the middle. The court is surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh, and the walls are part of the game: once the ball has bounced on your side, you can let it come off the glass and still return it. You play with a solid, perforated racket with no strings and a rubber ball made specifically for padel. The scoring is the same as tennis (15, 30, 40, game), but the serve is underarm. Rallies are long, the pace is friendly and it's very social, which is why beginners often get hooked quickly.

Step 1: Find a court near you

We've checked which clubs are actually open in each major city, with the number of courts, how to book and what each club offers beginners:

• Where to play padel in Sydney (11 venues, most of them indoor)
• Where to play padel in Melbourne (11 venues)
• Where to play padel in Perth (6 venues)
• Where to play padel in Brisbane (3 venues)
• Where to play padel on the Gold Coast (3 venues)
• Where to play padel in Adelaide (2 venues)
• Where to play padel in Canberra (1 venue)

Outside these cities, try Padel Australia's Find a court page, which lists clubs by state. Before you go, check the club's own website to confirm it's open, as new venues are opening all the time.

Step 2: Book a court or a beginner session

A padel court is booked for four players, usually for 60 or 90 minutes. Most Australian clubs use Playtomic, but not all of them:

• Playtomic: most clubs in Sydney and Melbourne, plus clubs in Perth, Robina and Canberra.
• MATCHi: Padel Brisbane, Padel Logan and Padel Gold Coast.
• The club's own app or website: for example Colosso and Noo's in Melbourne, Padel Fit and Voyager in Adelaide, and Play Padel Australia in Perth.

Prices vary by city, club and time of day. In the prices clubs published in November 2026, an hour on a doubles court ranged from $40 off-peak at some Perth clubs to $120 at peak times at Recess Padel Club in Port Melbourne, or roughly $10 to $30 per player. Off-peak weekday slots are usually cheaper.

No group of four? Book a social or an Americano instead. These sessions mix players at a similar level, and you sign up on your own.

Step 3: Take an intro session or lesson

An intro class is the best hour you'll spend as a new player. A coach shows you the grip, the underarm serve, the basic scoring and how to let the ball come off the glass. That last skill often takes new players a few sessions to trust. A few examples of what's on offer:

• Both Adelaide clubs, Padel Fit and Voyager Playford, offer a free 30-minute intro.
• Padel Brisbane lists an Intro to Padel social on MATCHi for $5.
• Tribe in Melbourne runs a 60-minute Intro to Padel for $30, which it returns as Playtomic credit.
• Clubs such as Sydney Racquet Club, Canberra Racquet Club and G4P run regular intro and beginner clinics.

After the intro, look for clubs that run beginner clinics by level, or multi-week academy courses, so you have a clear next step.

What to wear

• Shoes: the most important item. Wear court shoes with good grip and lateral support, either padel shoes or tennis shoes. Running shoes are built for moving forwards, not for quick sideways steps.
• Clothes: comfortable sportswear you can move in, like you'd wear for tennis or the gym.
• Outdoors: a hat or visor, sunscreen and plenty of water. Many courts in Perth, Brisbane and the Gold Coast are outdoor.
• Optional: a sweatband, and an overgrip if you have your own racket.

Choosing your first racket

For your first few sessions, hire a racket at the club. Racket hire is typically $5 to $10, according to the clubs' own websites. When you're ready to buy, look for a racket that's forgiving rather than powerful:

• Shape: a round shape usually has a larger, more central sweet spot and better control, which makes it the classic beginner choice. Diamond shapes suit experienced, attacking players.
• Feel: a softer feel is more comfortable and helps you build consistency.
• Balance: a lower (head-light) balance is easier to manoeuvre at the net.

Browse our beginner padel rackets, or answer a few questions in the Racket Finder to get a shortlist. For more detail, read our guide to the best padel rackets for beginners in Australia or the in-depth Racket Reviews by Sven Boele. Don't forget a tube of padel balls.

Orders placed before 4 pm Sydney time ship the same day. Standard shipping takes 2–5 business days ($10, or free from $200) and express takes 1–3 business days. If you'd like personal advice, Hans is on +61 466 383 404, also on WhatsApp.

The basic rules in 60 seconds

• Serve underarm. Bounce the ball behind the service line, hit it at or below waist height and serve diagonally into your opponent's service box. You get two serves.
• Bounce before the walls. Your shot must land in your opponents' half before it touches their glass or fence.
• Use the walls on your side. After the ball bounces on your side, it can come off the glass and you can still return it, as long as it doesn't bounce twice.
• Tennis scoring. 15, 30, 40, game; six games for a set. At 40–40, clubs play advantage, golden point or star point, so agree on one before you start.

For the full detail, including faults, lets and the fence, read Padel rules: a simple guide.

Padel etiquette for beginners

• Arrive a few minutes early so you're warmed up and ready when your slot starts, and leave on time for the next group.
• Agree on the scoring format before the first point.
• Call the score before every serve.
• Don't walk behind another court during a point. Wait for a break before collecting a stray ball.
• Be generous with close calls. It's a social game.

Tips to improve quickly

• Be patient. Most points are won by keeping the ball in play and waiting for a short ball, not by hitting winners.
• Move with your partner. Go forward to the net together, and drop back together.
• Let the ball come off the glass. Rushing a ball that's about to rebound is a very common beginner mistake. Our guide on how to use the glass wall shows you how.
• Play regularly. One session a week with a weekly clinic will improve your game faster than occasional long sessions.

FAQ: starting padel in Australia

How do I get started playing padel?

Find a club near you, book an intro class or a beginner social through the club's app (often Playtomic), wear court shoes and comfortable sportswear, and hire a racket at the club. Once you've had a few sessions, consider your own beginner racket and regular clinics.

Can you play padel with 2 people?

Padel is designed for doubles, and the official FIP rules are written for pairs. Some clubs do have dedicated singles courts, such as Sidewall Social in Sydney and Nordic Padel in Melbourne, so two players can book a singles court there.

Can I use tennis shoes for padel?

Yes. Tennis shoes are a good choice, because they're built for sideways movement and give good grip on court. Avoid running shoes, which offer less lateral support.

Are padel balls the same as tennis balls?

No. Padel has its own balls, made to the International Padel Federation's specification. They look similar to tennis balls, but for the right bounce and speed, use balls made for padel.