Make your volunteering count in the 2026 Census

What is a Census?

The next Census is on Tuesday 11 August 2026.

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) counts every person and household in Australia. This is called the Census of Population and Housing.

The Census form asks questions about your age, country of birth, cultural background, living situation, work and education. This year, the Census will also ask about unpaid and voluntary work you have undertaken in the last 12 months. In the Census, every answer matters to help us understand what Western Australia and Australia needs now and into the future.

Census data is used to inform decisions about transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities.

Learn more about the Census

Information for volunteers

In this year’s Census, you will be asked about unpaid (voluntary) work for an organisation which could include for sporting teams, youth groups, charities, schools or religious organisations. The question (#53 in the Census Household form) that you will be asked is:

In the last twelve months did the person spend any time doing unpaid voluntary work for an organisation or group?

How to answer this question

Think about any voluntary help given in the form of time, service or skills to a club, organisation or association. This could include:

helping at organised events and with sports organisations
helping with organised school events and activities
helping in churches, hospitals, aged care homes and charities
school students taking part in student government in their schools
other kinds of volunteer work (for example, emergency services, or serving on a committee for a club or community group).

Do not include:

work for a family business or any other paid employment
work done to receive a government payment
work done as part of completing study
work done because of a court or community service order

Why it’s important to include your volunteering in the Census

In the volunteering sector, data talks. In the Census, your volunteering data is invaluable, so that we can understand the true number of volunteers in Western Australia.

This information means that, as a peak body, we can advocate on your behalf for better funding, resources and recognition. It also helps the government understand volunteer impact which will directly influence policy and funding decisions and ultimately ensure investment goes where Western Australian communities need it most.

Information for volunteer leaders

Volunteer leaders, managers, coordinators, supervisors.

If your job involves managing, coordinating, leading, training or supervising volunteers, this year is the first time you can use the official title Volunteer Coordinator as your occupation in the Census. This title is the officially recognised title for volunteer leaders and matches the ABS data. It is the only title the ABS recognises for volunteer leaders.

The question (#42 in the Census Household form) that you will be asked is:

In the main job held last week, what was the person’s occupation?

How to answer this question

If you lead volunteers in any way as part of your job, including managing, coordinating, leading, training or supervising volunteers, please use the officially title “Volunteer Coordinator” as your job title.

This title is the officially recognised title for volunteer leaders and matches the ABS data.

It is the only title the ABS recognises for volunteer leaders.

Why it’s important to use the “Volunteer Coordinator” job title

Using the one official job title Volunteer Coordinator, will ensure we can accurately report on the number of people who are employed in this kind of job across the state.

This information means that, as a peak body, we can advocate on your behalf for better funding, resources and recognition.

It also helps the government understand your impact which will directly influence policy and funding decisions and ultimately ensure investment goes where Western Australian communities need it most.