Volunteering in Australia

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Volunteering is essential to the fabric of Australian society

It brings social, cultural, and economic benefits to the nation.

Australia’s communities and lifestyle are underpinned by the contributions of volunteers. Volunteers are an essential workforce, spanning major sectors, including aged care and disability care; community welfare; sports and the arts; crisis preparedness, response, and recovery; and environmental sustainability and protection.

Without volunteers, Australia stops

  • Volunteering creates connected and resilient communities
    Volunteering strengths communities and improves our health and wellbeing.
  • Enables organisations to make incredible impact
    Community service organisations, not-for-profits, and grassroots groups deliver incredible impact through volunteering.
  • Keeps Australia moving
    Volunteering is represented across every industry, and is vital for many essential services and activities.

Australian volunteering at a glance

  • 14
    million
    Australians volunteer
    That’s 64.3% of residents aged 15 years and older who volunteer each year.
  • 3.2
    billion hours
    of volunteering each year
    across the country – an average of 19 hours per person every month.
  • $
    566
    billion dollars
    of social and economic value
    *Not including the incredible value of volunteering to people, health, and communities that can not be measured.

Volunteering Peak Bodies

Australia’s volunteering peak bodies are a powerful national network that drive meaningful change in the community.

Working together, we advocate for volunteering, increase participation, and support volunteer-involving organisations across the country.

Key Statistics & Articles

Volunteering WA supports research into volunteering-related issues to help inform evidence-based decision-making and good practice. Explore state and national key statistics, which can assist with program development, funding applications and advocacy.
Key Statistics & Research Subscribe to our Research Digest

The National Strategy for Volunteering Underpins Our Work

The National Strategy for Volunteering (2023–2033) is Australia’s ten-year roadmap to make volunteering the heart of Australian communities.

10-year Blueprint

The National Strategy for Volunteering, co-created by stakeholders from across the volunteering ecosystem, provides a blueprint for the next ten years that will enable volunteering in Australia to thrive.

“The National Strategy for Volunteering was designed and will be owned by all of us. It presents our collective vision for a future where volunteering is at the heart of Australian communities.”

There are opportunities for everyone in the volunteering ecosystem to participate and work together for a better future for volunteering.

Action Plan 2024-2027

The National Strategy for Volunteering is currently in its first three-year Action Plan phase, running to mid-2027.

This phase will see the delivery of 22 actions that were codesigned to address priorities identified by the volunteering ecosystem.

This includes establishing new processes to improve recruitment and retention, forming new partnerships, and enhancing the role of volunteer managers.

National Strategy Action Plan 2024-27
  • Volunteers at the Motor Museum of WA contribute to preserving Western Australia’s automotive heritage and provide an unforgettable experience for visitors.
  • Zero2Hero volunteer mentors empower young people and support their mental wellbeing.
  • Umbrella Multicultural Community Care volunteers provide companionship and social support to seniors from multilingual, multicultural, multifaith, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds who are at risk of social isolation.