2009 National Survey of Volunteering Issues - report now available.

The full report on our National Survey of Volunteering Issues is now available for download.
 
The annual National Survey of Volunteering Issues conducted by Volunteering Australia provides an insight into the issues that affect volunteering in Australia. The 2009 survey attracted a record number of participants with more than 3,700 respondents taking part, ensuring a wide cross section of opinions was received from individual volunteers, volunteer involving organisations and companies with employee volunteer programs.

Key findings of the report found that:

• more than one third (36%) of volunteers reported they had not had any recognition for their good work in the last month of their volunteering.

• ‘Knowing that my contribution would make a difference’ is most important to volunteers in their decision to volunteer (selected by 80% of volunteer respondents).

• ‘Being accepted as a valuable team member’, ‘personal thank you’ and ‘feedback about my contribution’ are the most significant methods of recognition that volunteer respondents reported made them feel valued as a volunteer.

• 30% of organisations surveyed have not been able to access adequate information about the protection of volunteers under occupational health and safety legislation.

• 44% of volunteers reported that out of pocket expenses affect their ability or desire to volunteer, with fuel (84.6%) and telephone charges (65.4%) being the two most common cost problems.

• only 17% of volunteers reported that their organisation offered full reimbursement of their out of pocket expenses.

Download the report: PDF [ 1.3MB]

About the National Survey of Volunteering Issues

The Survey is conducted online each year and incorporates two subsidiary surveys; one survey each for volunteers and volunteer-involving not-for-profit organisations. The National Survey of Volunteering Issues explores known and emerging issues in volunteering and volunteer management practices.

The National Survey invites views and experiences from volunteers, managers of volunteers, organisations that involve volunteers, businesses with employee volunteering programs.  The feedback received helps keep us, the sector, and government, up to date with known and emerging issues that impact volunteers and volunteering in Australia.

Previous Survey Results

2008 National Survey of Volunteering Issues

Over 2800 volunteers and not for profit organisations from all States and Territories participated in the 2008 National Issues Survey. As in previous years, 98% of volunteers surveyed feel their work as a volunteer makes a difference to their organisation and its work.  The survey also showed that volunteering increases people’s sense of community belonging (86% of volunteers surveyed report this) which has positive health and wellbeing impacts – for individuals and communities.

Over one third of volunteers surveyed access training and develop skills through volunteering which they believe aids their current and future employment.  Often we focus on the skills that flow from the paid workforce to the community sector through volunteering.  It is important to recognise the reciprocity of benefits to Australian workplaces from volunteering.

The survey also showed that most volunteer involving organisations surveyed recognise the importance of having sound volunteer management processes; many are striving for best practice.  In spite of their valiant efforts, they often still struggle to afford costs associated with recruitment, necessary training, insurance and reimbursement of expenses incurred by volunteers, which in turn hinders their ability to recruit and support volunteers.

Download National Survey of Volunteering Issues 2008 PDF [666kb]

2007 National Survey of Volunteering Issues

Download the National Survey of Volunteering Issues 07.

2006 National Survey of Volunteering Issues

Download the National Survey of Volunteering Issues 06. 

For more information about the Volunteering Australia National Survey of Volunteering Issues contact us.