A Glimpse into the Volunteering Crisis

The latest Australian Charities Report (9th Edition) from the ACNC highlights a concerning trend: a significant decline in volunteering rates across the country. The report was released in June 2023, but relies on volunteer data from 2021, a period that was materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of this, Australia is showing a persistent decline in the number of volunteers supporting the charity sector.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

The numbers show a worrying decrease in volunteer participation, which is critical to the sustainability and effectiveness of many charitable organisations in Australia.

Key findings from the Australian Charities Report include:

• A marked reduction in the number of volunteers, from ~3.8 million in 2018 to ~3.2m in 2021¹. A decline of almost 600,000 volunteers.
• Extra small charities (revenues of less than A$50,000), recording a ~18% decline over 3 years¹.
• Medium and Extra Large charities recording also recording large declines in volunteer numbers, down ~24% over 3 years¹.

Reasons underlying the decline

There is no single reason why volunteering numbers appear to be plummeting. Several potential drivers include:

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data is representative of the 2021 period, when the pandemic was materially impacting the operations of charities.
• A shift in societal norms and priorities, with individuals increasingly focused on meeting cost of living pressures.
• Challenges in volunteer engagement and retention, particularly among younger demographics who might seek flexible and remote volunteering opportunities.

Navigating the Volunteering Crisis

The decline in volunteering poses immediate challenges but also presents an opportunity for innovation within the sector. Some potential areas to address include:

• Embracing technology to advertise and to offer remote and flexible volunteering roles.
• Enhancing volunteer recognition and incentives to boost retention.
• Collaborating with corporations and educational institutions to develop volunteer programs that align with contemporary interests and skills.

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