Volunteering Australia is actively involved in consultations, forums and meetings. We are proud to hold National Volunteer Week every year, to acknowledge and celebrate the generous contributions of Australia’s volunteers.
In addition, the National Volunteering Conference is an important national event that occurs annually, that brings together volunteers, volunteer managers, Volunteer Involving Organisations and Volunteering Support Services.
The conference provides a platform for inclusive dialogue and robust discussions on volunteering issues.
If you aren’t currently volunteering sign up now!
Ways to Get Involved
The following are different opportunities for volunteer involving organisations, volunteer managements and volunteers to get involved!
Volunteering Focused Events
May, 3rd Week
National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. This special event highlights the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go to discover how giving their time and talents can spark joy, and a deep sense of purpose.
Volunteering Australia encourages all to proudly promote the upcoming celebrations and use the resources widely to help increase the awareness of the vital role volunteers play in our lives.
August, 1st Week
National Student Volunteer Week (NSVW) is an opportunity to acknowledge the impact that student volunteers make through volunteering. It acknowledges and celebrates student volunteers, and promotes volunteering to students and young people across Australia.
All education providers, volunteer organisations and students across the country to participate in National Student Volunteer Week.
November, 5th
IVMDay was developed in order to bring recognition to individual Managers of Volunteers and their roles in the mobilisation and support of the world’s volunteers to help people be part of the solution in meeting community needs.
Volunteer managers provide the leadership and direction that allows people to build a good and just society and to mend the social fabric. Without professional leadership, people’s time, talents and efforts could be wasted.
December, 5th
UN Volunteers coordinates International Volunteer Day to recognise and celebrate the vital work of volunteers, not just of UN Volunteers, but of volunteers worldwide. Each day, volunteers contribute their time, skills and heart to strengthen inclusion, support climate action and progress the Sustainable Development Goals.
International Volunteer Day encourages a collective commitment to ensuring everyone can participate, feel valued and contribute in ways that strengthen connections and belonging across Australia.
Volunteering Related Events
March, 8th
International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It aims to mobilise action for equality through encouraging individuals, communities, and organisations to take steps toward creating a more inclusive and equitable world for women.
Women are more likely to volunteer than men. The higher participation rates of women in volunteering present a significant opportunity for fostering gender equality across various roles, including encourage and support more women to step into leadership roles.
March, 29th
Neighbours Every Day provides the perfect opportunity to increase social connection in your local areas. It’s a chance to build new or stronger connections — every smile, chat, or shared moment makes a difference.
To have strong, connected and resilient communities it's important to increase positive and sustainable social connections between people and communities throughout Australia, whilst tackling the loneliness epidemic facing our nation.
June, 5th
World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach to raise awareness, inspire change, and drive global action for a healthier, more sustainable planet.
There are many ways people can volunteer and make a meaningful impact on our environment. Remember, every small action counts, and together, we can make a big difference.
June, 3rd Weekend
Refugee Week is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees in Australia. It educates people about who refugees are and why they have come to this country, and to help people better understand the many challenges refugees face.
Volunteers play a crucial role in providing support, comfort, and guidance to those in need. From offering a helping hand to lending an empathetic ear, volunteers make a difference in the lives of displaced individuals and families.
June
Every June, Pride Month celebrates the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and asexual (LGBTIQA+) community people and their history. It’s centres around recognising and celebrating diversity in sexuality and identity, and promoting equal rights for all.
Peer support and volunteer work is such a crucial part of the history and survival of LGBTIQA+ communities. It has created spaces for individuals to find their chosen families, supported those struggling with isolation and rejection, and forged new ways to celebrate joy.
July, 1st Week
National NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s an opportunity for all to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
NAIDOC Week encourages connection and understanding of over 65,000 years of continuous culture, and the understanding that strong and resilient communities are built on a bedrock of enthusiastic participation and shared responsibility.
July, 30th
International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
Volunteering creates a unique opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who share the same passion for making a difference. The shared sense of purpose binds these people together, forging friendships that can last a lifetime.
July, 15th
World Youth Skills Day recognises our global youth and future leaders.
Our global youth have so much to offer as creative innovators and passionate advocators. Let’s all take the time to harness their potential for a transformative future.
Volunteering is a great opportunity for young people to step into the working world. Volunteering can bring job and transferrable skills, communication skills, experience, contacts, and increased self-confidence. All of these can help in the search for and gaining employment.
August, 3rd Week
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. It’s an opportunity for everyone to talk, see and do, aiming to encourage an interest in science pursuits, and for people to be fascinated by the world.
Citizen science is a collaboration between volunteers and scientists to answer real-world questions and learn more about protecting our planet. Citizen scientists make a meaningful impact to scientific research and environmental decision making by collecting valuable scientific data.
August, 12th
International Youth Day is an opportunity to celebrate young people, their individualism and energy. It recognises the unique challenges young people face and to stand beside them whilst advocating for avenues that provide agency to make decisions.
Through volunteering, youth are empowered through obtaining valuable work experience, enhanced feelings of self-worth, refinement of values, increased understanding of people, local and global issues, and reduced social isolation.
August, 29th
By wearing purple, people demonstrate to rainbow young people that they are celebrated and respected, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming. It’s an international movement of love and support.
In our volunteer communities, this day is about acceptance and celebrating diversity amongst our volunteers, paid staff and people accessing our services and spaces.
October, 2nd Week
Anti-Poverty Week aims to strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship; and encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.
Volunteering provides an opportunity to contribute to poverty alleviation in communities by offering your time and skills to individuals or organisations.
October, 16
World Food Day brings together people to promote awareness of hunger and promote action for the future of food, people and planet. Together, we can create a better more sustainable food future for all.
Volunteers and organisations do crucial work in addressing food insecurity across our nation through food banks, community kitchens, delivery volunteers, community garden initiatives and individual contributions.
October, 4th Wednesday
Children’s Week promotes awareness of children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Led by the Children’s Week Council of Australia, the week encourages national participation and supports children to be seen, heard, and celebrated in every community.
When children see their parents, grandparents, or siblings lending a helping hand to a neighbour, participating in local clean-ups, or simply being there for a friend in need, they're absorbing invaluable lessons about empathy, responsibility, and the joy of giving.
October, 10th
World Mental Health Day raises awareness of about mental health issues and mobilises efforts in support of mental health; by talking about mental health’s importance, and actions needed to make access to mental health care a reality.
Volunteering is more than giving time. It’s about being part of something that brings meaning and hope, creating communities that are kinder, more inclusive, and better equipped to support wellbeing for all.
November, 11th
As a mark of respect, Australians are encouraged to pause at 11 am to observe one minute’s silence and remember those who died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts.
As we pause today to remember those who have served our nation, we also think of the families left behind. We thank the volunteers for their vital work in ensuring these families are supported, as volunteers play an important role in the delivery of key programs, supports and services to enable veterans and their families to thrive despite adversity.
November, Last Week
Social Inclusion Week aims to help all Australians feel included and valued, giving everyone the opportunity to participate fully in society.
One of the simplest things we can do to build caring and inclusive communities is to reach out to those around us. Being included in society is paramount to good mental health and wellbeing.
Volunteering plays an important role in facilitating social participation and inclusion. Everyone, regardless of their background, can contribute knowledge, skills, and life experience to support communities and make a difference.
