National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering with thousands of events and activities held across the country during 15 – 21 May 2023.

Key Messages

  • National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering with thousands of events and activities held across the country during 15 – 21 May 2023.
  • National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to connect and celebrate diverse volunteering stories across the state.
  • Join Volunteering WA as we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2023. #NVW2023 is a celebration of our power to drive change and ensure volunteering is inclusive of all members of the Australian community.
  • The theme for National Volunteer Week 2023 is The Change Makers. Our vision for the future will see volunteering thrive. We are the change makers. 

  • We encourage all volunteer involving organisations to proudly promote NVW celebrations and use the resources widely to help increase the awareness of the vital role volunteers play in our lives.

  • #NVW2023 #TheChangeMakers

Volunteering snapshot

  • Volunteering WA is the peak body for volunteering in Western Australia, working across community, government, corporate and education organisations to provide leadership,advancement and the celebration of volunteering.
  • Volunteering WA proudly represents 750 organisations and 523,000 volunteers across the State.

Volunteering in Western Australia

  • 1 in 4 Western Australians generously donate their time and effort through formal volunteering. (1)
  • 523,600 (25.6%) Western Australians volunteer each year through community organisations,groups or clubs. (1)
  • Consistent with national trends there has been a loss of over 150,000 volunteers in WA - a 22% reduction over the past six years. (2)

The value of volunteering 

  • Volunteers are reportedly happier and healthier people, with volunteering increasing feelings of self-worth, connectedness and providing overall better mental health. 
  • 95% of employers believe volunteering is a credible way to gain real world experience; and 92% believe volunteer experience gives an advantage at job interviews. (4)
  • 77% of volunteers did so to help others and their community; 66% for personal satisfaction; 37% due to personal/family involvement; and 34% did so for the social connection. (5)

Volunteering in Australia

  • 5 million Australians volunteer their time (489 million hours) each year to support community organisations, groups and clubs. (1)
  • The 70+ years age bracket has the highest formal volunteering participation rates at 29.3%;followed by 40-54 year olds (28.9%); 55-69 years (23.3%); 15-24 years (20.7%); and 25-39 years (17.5%). (3)
  • Sport and recreation groups are the biggest benefactors, with over 30% of Australians volunteering their time to support.(5)

Sources

*1 ABS 4159.0 General Social Survey, ABS, 2020 tables 6.3, 11.1
*2 ABS 4159.0 General Social Survey, ABS, 2020 tables 6.3, 11.1 and 2019 tables 9.1, 15.1, 15.3 and 2014
*3 General Social Survey, ABS, 2020 Table 2.3
*4 SEEK, Get ahead in volunteering in 2018, https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/get-ahead-in-volunteering-in-2018
*5 General Social Survey, ABS, 2020, Table 10.1, 10.3