More Volunteers are Needed! 

National Volunteer Week is on this month from 19-25 May. 

We celebrate the generosity of all our volunteers. Millions of Australians across the country volunteer their time every day of the year. Volunteering Australia’s definition of volunteering is “time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.” 

Volunteers play a vital role in our community, assisting people in need, homeless, elderly, the environment and wildlife, and other causes. Sadly, research from Volunteering Australia highlights that the number of volunteers has dropped off significantly since 2016, with 1.86 million less volunteers now than before COVID started.  

The National Strategy for Volunteering 2023-2033 was funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, led by Volunteering Australia, and co-designed by the entire volunteering ecosystem. It hopes to address the declining numbers of volunteers.  

Key Facts

Some key facts from the National Strategy and from research done in 2022 by Volunteering Australia include: 

• 56.7% of Australians volunteer either formally or informally 
• 83% of volunteer involving organisations need more volunteers 
• 11% of organisations reported that they needed more than 101 volunteers in the short-term 
• A significant mismatch exists between the volunteering opportunities being offered and what non‑volunteers are interested in 
• Animal welfare was the most common type of organisation people were interested in volunteering for (29.4%) followed by environmental organisations (23.0%) and children and youth (22.7%) 
• 26.7% of adults volunteered in Australia; down from 36% of adults prior to Covid 
• Women (28.6%) volunteered at a higher rate than men (24.7%) 
• Older Australians (those aged 55 years and over) were more likely to have volunteered than younger Australians 
• Education and employment status were also associated with the probability of volunteering 
• The average number of weeks spent volunteering was 24.5 weeks, at an average of 6.8 hours per week. This equals 180 hours on average across the past 12 months. 
• 31.3% volunteered for 200 hours or more, and 10% reported 450 hours or more over the previous 12 months 
• Only 20.2% of volunteers said that they are likely to volunteer less frequently, compared to more than half (53.3%) of non-volunteers 
• Only 9.4% of respondents who had never volunteered indicated they were likely to commence volunteering in the future 
• The vast majority of volunteers (91%) were either satisfied (53.1%) or very satisfied (37.9%) with their volunteering experience

8 key benefits gained from Volunteering: 

1. Personal Fulfillment: Engaging in volunteer work provides a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment. Helping others can bring immense joy and a sense of purpose. 
2. Expanded Social Network: Volunteering allows individuals to connect with like-minded people and make new friends and build relationships and connections. 
3. Skill & Professional Development: Volunteer work offers numerous opportunities to develop and enhance various skills and can serve as a valuable addition to one’s professional resume and can help explore potential career paths or develop new interests. 
4. Increased Empathy and Understanding: Volunteering often exposes individuals to diverse communities, cultures, and perspectives. Working closely with people from different backgrounds develops a deeper understanding of societal issues, cultivates empathy, and fosters a more inclusive mindset. 
5. Enhanced Mental and Physical Wellbeing: Studies have shown that engaging in volunteer work can have positive effects on mental and physical health – reducing stress, promoting a sense of happiness, and provides a sense of belonging and purpose. 
6. Exposure to New Experiences: Volunteer work often offers unique experiences and opportunities that individuals may not encounter in their everyday lives.  
7. Contributing to the Community: By volunteering, individuals directly contribute to the betterment of their community. This sense of giving back and being a part of something greater fosters a stronger community spirit. 
8. Impacting Lives: One of the most significant benefits of volunteer work is the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of others.  

Our local community groups would all love more volunteers – please reach out to them. Many of them feature in The Western Echo, with contact details included.  

For more volunteer opportunities: www.govolunteer.com.au  

More details and research: www.volunteeringaustralia.org

Cover image: Brisbane Tramway Museum – photo by Melanie Grevis-James