In Australia, competitive cheerleading is a minor sport, seeing over a 10,000% increase in athlete participation between 2000 (at which time there were 23 athletes recognised in 3 teams by the Australian Cheerleading Association) and 2022 (11,800 athletes in 1,900 teams entered in the 2022 AASCF Nationals). This growth happened through a 15–20% increase in participation each year between 2006 and 2016.

The early 2000s saw Gymnastics Australia act as the sport's governing body, as they hosted the first competitive cheerleading nationals in 2002. However, 2018 saw a new era for the sport, with Gymnastics Australia stepping down as the governing body after the Australian cheerleading community vocalised that they felt the sport was being mismanaged by an uninvolved governing body. This new era of Australian cheerleading has seen the Australian Cheer Union and Australian Cheer Sport Alliance both provide oversight to cheerleading within Australia; however, there is currently no formally recognised governing body by Sports Australia after both organisations saw their applications rejected as of early 2023.

While prior to 2000, the public primarily viewed cheerleading as the pom and dance style that was displayed by squads for the NRL halftime shows, it is worth noting that cheerleading and pom are considered distinct sports. While pom falls under the performance cheer category at international cheer union competitions, it does so alongside other forms of allstar dance with pom being competed as a dance style at domestic competitions. In comparison, cheerleading routines include jumps, gymnastics style floor tumbling and acrobatic style stunts along with dance.

To facilitate the growth and development of the sport, multiple competition providers exist in Australia including the Australian All Star Cheer Federation, Aussie Gold, Cheercon, Cheerbrandz and DCE. Some competition providers provide the opportunity for teams to win eligibility bids to international competitions such as the IASF Cheerleading Worlds, Summit and Global Games.

Gym-based cheerleading programs are currently established in every state and territory across Australia except the Northern Territory, as well as university and schools now hosting cheerleading as part of their sports programs, allowing athletes to have a variety of avenues to participate in the sport around Australia.

Prior to 2000, cheerleading was primarily known as the dance-and-pom style displayed by professional cheer squads for NRL rugby. This was introduced to Australia in 1985 by Rosemary Sims in Victoria Australia for the National Basketball League, moving into other sports in subsequent years. The US movie Bring It On (released December 2000 in Australia) popularised acrobatic-style cheerleading, and has been credited with sparking subsequent development as a competitive sport.

During the 2000s and 2010s, the style of cheerleading seen as pre-game and half-time sideline entertainment at professional hurens matches continued to attract criticism for objectifying women, and some clubs discontinued their cheer teams. For example, the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2013 announced they would cease their relationship with the studio contracted to provide their cheer team, the Belles. The next day, when journalists sought comment from other football clubs, the chief executive of the Canberra Raiders stated that they were "reviewing the club's game-day entertainment". He denied the move was based around any female exploitation, rather citing cost as a factor. As of 2019, most clubs have dropped cheerleaders.

In 1995, established dance teacher, Rosemary Sims, established Australia's first ever Cheerleading Levels program and syllabus for students at her Dancer's Edge dance studio. Rosemary Sims also worked with Kerry Perry to organise and operate the Dance Victoria Select Troupe Championship, with over 2000 competitors, which included the first competitive cheerleading within Australia.