Established in 1989, National Volunteer Week is the premier celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to say thank you to the millions of Australians who volunteer.
This special event also provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
Below is an archive of past National Volunteer Week’s.
2026 National Volunteer Week
Your Year to Volunteer
18-24 May 2026
This year is a moment to thank those who already give their time and to invite others to discover how volunteering can create connection, purpose, and lasting positive change.
Key Messages
These messages are here to support your celebrations, storytelling, and communication. Use these messages in your events, posts, media, and everyday conversations. The more we share, the more we strengthen the voice of volunteering across Australia.
Volunteers play a vital role in building connected, inclusive, and resilient communities. 2026 aligns with the International Year of Volunteers, highlighting the global importance of volunteering.
- New data shows 9.5 million people volunteered in Australia in 2025, through formal volunteering, informal volunteering, or both. More than 5 million Australians volunteered through organisations nationwide, contributing over 618 million hours in 2025, up from 490 million hours in 2020.
- Your Year to Volunteer honours the contributions of volunteers and invites people across Australia to make 2026 a year of meaningful involvement, in ways that work for them.
- National Volunteer Week 2026 supports IVY 2026 by amplifying the voices of volunteers, celebrating their contributions, and encouraging action to help volunteering thrive across Australia.
