Volunteers are central to key government priorities identified in the Budget, including the environment, aged care, disability, domestic and gender-based violence, and cost of living. While volunteering is mentioned throughout the Budget, it lacks a strategic, whole-of-government approach to resourcing and supporting volunteering in Australia. More strategic support for a thriving volunteering ecosystem is essential to progressing these priorities.
We welcome the continuation of the Volunteering and Community Connectedness funding stream and measures to address cost-of-living pressures for everyone in Australia. However, volunteers and volunteer involving organisations remain under immense pressure. Cost-of-living pressures increase operating costs and demand for services, and at the same time reduce people’s capacity to volunteer. Half of all registered charities in Australia engage no paid staff and are run entirely by volunteers. Increased resourcing for Australia’s not-for-profit sector is needed to support volunteers and address the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The Budget includes funding for the Australian Bureau of Statistics to deliver an enhanced annual General Social Survey, which has previously collected key national data on volunteering. More comprehensive and frequent data on volunteering is vital to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Volunteering (2023-2033).
Securing funding for the enhanced annual General Social Survey underscores the critical importance of comprehensive data on volunteering. This investment is essential for driving forward the National Strategy for Volunteering, ensuring we have the insights necessary to empower and strengthen our volunteering ecosystem in the years ahead.
Volunteering Australia CEO, Mark Pearce
