Small recovery in volunteer numbers across Australia

The Australian Charities Report's 10th edition reveals a modest recovery in volunteer numbers across Australia, showing an increase to 3.5 million volunteers in 2022¹. This represents a significant improvement from the previous year, adding 320,000 volunteers. However, despite this upward trend, volunteer numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, notably the 3.77 million recorded in 2018¹.

Several factors may be contributing to the ongoing short fall in volunteer numbers:

1. Lingering Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic significantly disrupted volunteering activities, and many volunteers have not returned due to changes in personal circumstances.
2. Economic Pressures: The rising cost of living has forced many individuals to prioritise paid work over volunteer activities, reducing the pool of available volunteers.
3. Changing Demographics: An aging population and the shifting demands on younger generations' time for work and other commitments also impact volunteer availability.

Despite the challenges, the increase in volunteer numbers is a positive sign of recovery and resilience within the sector. Charities continue to rely heavily on volunteers to deliver their services, with more than half of all operating charities functioning without paid staff¹.

For more detailed insights, you can refer to the full Australian Charities Report from the ACNC.

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