Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, National Volunteer Week (19-25 May 2025), will shine a spotlight on the millions of volunteers making an extraordinary impact on their communities.
This year’s theme, Connecting Communities, celebrates how volunteering is bringing people together, strengthening local connections, and fostering stronger, more resilient communities across the nation.
Volunteering empowers people to make a positive impact and in return volunteering provides a multitude of benefits for individuals, communities and the nation. It’s a uniquely good indicator of community wellbeing as it captures social connectedness, physical and mental health, sense of purpose, and connection to place. In fact, volunteers often report a feeling of belonging, improved mental health, and stronger social connections that reduce loneliness.
CEO of Volunteering Australia, Mark Pearce, says this National Volunteer Week recognises how integral volunteers are to cohesive and inclusive communities, something that’s essential to strong Australian communities both now and in the future.
“In a year marked by natural disasters, rising cost-of-living pressures, and growing social challenges, the role of volunteers has never been more important. Across Australia, volunteers have stepped up in countless ways—offering critical support during emergencies, helping people access food and essential services, strengthening community connections, and supporting local events,” he said.
“Volunteers are the heart of our communities, and their contributions are vital in times of need.
“While volunteers’ contributions uplift others, volunteering also has a profound impact on the volunteers themselves—fostering lasting relationships, community engagement, and a feeling of belonging in an increasingly complex world.”
The scale of volunteer involvement in Australia is substantial. Around six million people volunteer through organisations across the nation. Millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, helping neighbours and strangers, especially in times of crisis and adversity. In fact, many people do both, and in 2022 over half the population (57%) had undertaken either informal or formal volunteering.
These figures highlight the immense value of volunteering in strengthening local connections and supporting communities. The evolving landscape of volunteering shows that people are increasingly seeking flexible opportunities to contribute their time, knowledge, and experience. Volunteering is no longer confined to traditional roles but includes a wide range of activities that provide meaningful impact, whether it’s helping a neighbour, supporting a local event, or contributing to environmental sustainability.
“The latest figures demonstrate that volunteering is essential to the fabric of Australian society—not just in economic terms, but also in its ability to connect people from diverse backgrounds and build social resilience during challenging times, including natural disasters and rising living costs,” Mr Pearce said.
“At its core, volunteering is about people: people doing things for others, for their community, and for the nation. Volunteering is much more than just offering help—it’s about building connections, sharing knowledge, and creating spaces for people to belong. As volunteering continues to evolve, it’s essential that we recognise and support new ways of giving, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and included in shaping a better future for all.”
Despite the growing volunteer spirit, participation barriers remain with research showing that common reasons for Australians not volunteering include lack of time due to work or study, family commitments, health issues, not being asked, and uncertainty about how to get involved.3 This highlights the vital importance of National Volunteer Week as a call to action for everyone to help shape Australia’s future through volunteering.
“Regardless of age, background, or ability, everyone can volunteer. In times of crisis and uncertainty, we are reminded of the power of connection and collective action. This National Volunteer Week let’s come together to recognise their incredible contributions and inspire even more people to step forward and make a difference,” Mr Pearce said.
National Volunteer Week 2025 invites everyone to celebrate the incredible work of volunteers and consider how they can contribute to their communities. Volunteering Australia is welcoming everyone who has considered volunteering to take the leap and discover how their time, energy, and unique talents can make real change. Those inspired to try volunteering this National Volunteer Week are encouraged to visit the GoVolunteer website, contact their state or territory Volunteering Peak Body, or approach organisations in their local community.
