Volunteer Statistics and Trends
On any given day in Australia, millions of individuals give their time, skills and enthusiasm to help others and create productive, caring communities. Whether it is volunteering for the local sporting club, delivering a meal to the homeless, or working productively to clean up our creeks and waterways, the contribution that many Australians make is vital.
Australia has a rich volunteering history, with its foundations in benevolent societies, and churched based organisations who gave support to the less fortunate. Nonprofits such as the Surf-Lifesavers and Scouts have been around for 100 years, whilst Royal Flying Doctors has an 80year history. All these organisations have relied heavily on the kindness and work of volunteers over the generations.
However, as society changes rapidly, and our work, family and leisure time responds in relation to many paradoxical factors, our volunteering is changing as well. Volunteering is currently undergoing a period of subtle, but certain change, as individuals engage with communities and give their time in different and innovative ways.
Australia currently has 5.2 million people or approx 35% of its population over 18 years volunteering. This has increased steadily since the first ABS Voluntary Work Survey in 1995 which had a rate of 24%, and 32% in 2000 ABS Voluntary Work Survey.
There have been increases in the volunteering rate (1995-2006), across all age groups with the 35-44 year age group having the highest rate of volunteering.
Data source: ABS 2006 4441.0 Voluntary Work, Australia p 74
When we compare the volunteer rates in different states, we discover that
Queensland has among the highest volunteering rate in Australia, second
behind ACT. The graph below compares the states and the volunteering rate
for each age group.
Data source: ABS 2006 4441.0 Voluntary Work, Australia p 27
Whilst the rates of volunteering have increased markedly, the amount of
time in total hours has also increased. However, the median amount of
time that individuals give on annual basis has dropped. This is a reflection
of our busy lifestyle with more people volunteering, but giving less time.
The graph below shows the decrease in the median hours.
Data source: ABS 2006 4441.0 Voluntary Work, Australia p 75
Volunteers are a diverse group with those born in Australia, slightly
more likely to volunteer than those born outside of Australia. The group
that has the highest volunteering rate (around 47%) are those individuals
aged 35-44 who were born in Australia.
Note: Main English-speaking countries are UK, Ireland, NZ, USA and SA
Data source: ABS 2006 4441.0 Voluntary Work, Australia p 26
The type of organisations that individuals volunteer for is as diverse as our culture. People are most likely to volunteer for sport and physical recreation organisations whilst emergency services, environment and animal welfare organisations had the least number of volunteers.
Data source: ABS 2006 4441.0 Voluntary Work, Australia p43
Volunteers are also engaged in various activities with fundraising and food preparation as common volunteering pursuits. Less common volunteering activities include emergency response and advocacy.
Data source: ABS 2006 4441.0 Voluntary Work, Australia p43
Meet some typical volunteers*# |
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Meet Rob, 67 • 30% of male volunteers over 65 years volunteer in community or welfare organisations • 19% volunteer in religious organisations • Least likely to volunteer in parenting/children or youth organisations- only 1.4% • Approx 43% volunteer at least once a week and 13% several times a year • Volunteers approx 2.3 hours a week |
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Meet Alicia, 32 • 39% of females aged 35-49 years volunteer in education or training • 24% volunteer in sport and recreation • Least likely to volunteer in emergency services (1.4%) and environment or animal welfare (1.5%) • Approx 40.6% of female volunteers in this age group volunteer at least once a week, with 16% volunteering only several times a year. • Volunteers approx 1.5 hours each week |
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Meet Lachlan, 26 • 37% of male volunteers aged 18-34 years volunteer in sport or physical recreation • 13% volunteer for religious organisations • Least likely to volunteer in arts or heritage organisations – 1.7% • Approx 37.4% volunteers aged 18-34 years volunteer at least once a week, and 14.9% volunteer only several times a year • Volunteers approx 1.4 hours each week |
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* Actual Volunteering Queensland volunteers |
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