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.

  • 2025 National Volunteer Week

    Connecting Communities

    19-25 May 2025

    Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. Join us as we explore how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging. Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building thriving and inclusive communities.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf9XeaGS9Ro

    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.

    • National Volunteer Week (19th – 25th May) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.
    • This special event is an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
    • National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme Connecting Communities.

    • More than six million people in Australia volunteer through organisations across the nation. Millions more volunteer informally in their local communities, helping neighbours and strangers, especially in times of crisis and adversity.
    • Volunteers are an essential workforce, spanning major sectors, including aged care and disability care; community welfare; sports and the arts; crisis preparedness, response, and recovery; and environmental sustainability and protection.
    • Volunteering is vital to the nation’s wellbeing but faces ongoing challenges. Australia’s communities and lifestyle are underpinned by the contributions of volunteers.

    • Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities.
    • Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building thriving and inclusive communities.
    • Join us this National Volunteer Week as we explore how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.

    https://youtu.be/psyURTyJzP8?si=TXcUL__6p88AYTwD

    Resources

  • 2024 National Volunteer Week

    ‘Something for Everyone’

    20-26 May 2024

    Let's recognise the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.

    It’s an invitation to explore the myriad of opportunities available, emphasising that there's a place for everyone in the world of volunteering. Whether you're drawn to environmental causes, community outreach, education, or beyond, there's a place where your unique skills and interests can flourish.

    Let's come together during National Volunteer Week, embracing this theme to showcase the vast spectrum of possibilities and the transformative impact that emerges when everyone finds their meaningful role in making a difference.

    https://youtu.be/-CRTbNsnBFg

    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.

    • National Volunteer Week (20th – 26th May) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.
    • This special event is an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
    • National Volunteer Week 2024 is a celebration of the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to volunteering.

    FACT SHEET: Key Volunteering Statistics – March 2024

    • This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is ‘Something for Everyone’ highlighting that there’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering.
    • We invite everyone to explore the vast array of opportunities. Whether you’re drawn to environmental causes, community welfare, education, sport or beyond, there’s a place where your unique skills and interests can flourish.
    • Let’s come together during National Volunteer Week to showcase that volunteering offers 'Something for Everyone'.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka_cPDzN5p4

    Resources

  • 2023 National Volunteers Week

    We are the Change Makers

    15th - 21st May 2023

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gZ46cSkQFg

    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.

    • National Volunteer Week (15th – 21st May) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.
    • This special event recognises the crucial role of volunteers in supporting our nation and encourages people to start volunteering.
    • National Volunteer Week 2023 is a celebration of the millions of volunteers across Australia giving their time and energy to make change in our communities.

      • Volunteering has the power to change the lives of both volunteers and those they help. It offers opportunities for social, economic, and cultural inclusion, and improves our health and wellbeing.

      • The ‘We are the Change Makers’ social media campaign celebrates the powerful impact volunteers make supporting individuals, communities and the nation.
      • Change Makers are diverse in their roles and areas of expertise. You may be a Caregiver, Guardian, Energiser, Defender, Inquirer, Communicator, a combination of these, or a different sort of Change Maker altogether!
      • Help inspire new volunteers to join us on our journey to a future where volunteering is at the heart of Australian communities.
      • This National Volunteer Week we are asking, what kind of Change Maker are you? Share your Change Maker type on social media by using the campaign's resources.
        • Celebrate the power of volunteering and show the world that volunteers are Change Makers.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t63csLYgME8

      Resources

    • 2022 National Volunteer Week

      Better Together

      16 – 22 May 2022

      Volunteering brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone.

      National Volunteer Week is a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers and to say thank you.

      Together, through volunteering, we are changing communities for the better. We are, Better Together.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsVsh8AKp34

      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.

      • National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and will be held on 16 – 22 May 2022.

        • With flooding, fires and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, the past few years have undoubtably been tough for all Australians.
        • Holding us up in these times of crisis are over one million volunteers supporting Australia’s crisis resilience, of which more than 400,000 work directly in emergency response and relief.
        • Our nation’s volunteers are the country’s backbone during crisis and emergency.

        • Volunteering brings people together. It builds community. 
        • The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and ongoing impact on volunteering. Together, through volunteering, we can change our communities for the better. 

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48SLNwJBgN8

        Resources