Volunteering Australia's priorities, decisions, policies, and activities are informed by evidence and research. We actively seek to support the research that is needed to advance volunteering policy and practice. 

Our research agenda

We aim to ensure our current policy and advocacy work is informed by data and research evidence, to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Volunteering, and to lay the foundations for future research.  

National Volunteering Research Network

Volunteering Australia established a new National Volunteering Research Network in 2021. The network aims to facilitate the sharing of information and knowledge between researchers and members of the wider volunteering ecosystem. It promotes greater collaboration and policy engagement to advance volunteering in the Australian community. 

Dr Megan Paull and Dr Rachel Winterton are the current Co-chairs of the network.  

If you are undertaking research relevant to volunteering in an academic setting or elsewhere, and would like to join the network, please get in touch via email at research@volunteeringaustralia.org.

Current projects

As part of the development of the National Strategy for Volunteering, Volunteering Australia led and published the Volunteering in Australia 2022 reports. The Volunteering in Australia research was a landmark research project that provides insights into why volunteering is declining and how we can address the challenges facing volunteering. Published reports are available on the National Strategy for Volunteering website.  

Research

Below are examples of some of the research projects Volunteering Australia has been a part of.

Data Factsheets & Evidence Reviews

Our Data Factsheets and Evidence Reviews aim to interpret and synthesise volunteering data and research for use in our policy and advocacy work and to inform the work of the wider volunteering ecosystem. We have produced several factsheets drawing on a range of data sources. The Volunteering Key Statistics document was updated in February 2024.

Fact Sheets

Volunteering Australia has a number of different information sheets outlining key facts, statistics, policy stances or common language used in the volunteering sector.

The information provided is to assist you with program development, funding applications and advocacy. Further information can also be gleaned from policy submissions and we encourage you to look at the submissions page for more information.

Evidence Insights

Volunteering Australia’s Evidence Insights series aims to interpret and synthesise volunteering data and research for use in our policy and advocacy work and to inform the work of the wider volunteering ecosystem.

This series of evidence reviews will present summaries of academic literature, aggregate key findings, and analyse the state of contemporary research in key areas which relate to volunteering. Evidence reviews aim to highlight causal relationships, or to explore phenomena which cannot be adequately described statistically. Evidence reviews draw upon quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research.

Volunteering and mental health

Evidence Insights: Volunteering and mental health reviews research on the effects of volunteering on mental health. It draws upon local and international studies including qualitative and quantitative research, while focusing on the effects of volunteering on the mental health of volunteers themselves. The review concludes with a discussion of priorities for future research and the policy implications of the findings.

Future Evidence Insights
  • Informal volunteering
  • Barriers to volunteering
  • Volunteering and CALD Communities
  • Volunteering and employment