The federal budget has produced mixed results for the volunteering sector, with some positive measures in mental health, sport and education more broadly. However, Volunteering Australia underscores the need for comprehensive measures aimed at building the capacity of the entire volunteering sector. Volunteering Australia welcomes the inclusion of funding indexation for the Volunteer Management Activity (VMA) from 2019-20 in this budget, and a commitment to the program’s continuation. This is hugely positive for the volunteering sector, with the VMA never receiving indexation in its history (including previous iterations). With the review of the Volunteer Management Activity still pending, it is also encouraging to see a commitment from the Government to continue to fund Volunteering Support Services post-June 2021, with forward estimates projecting 6.4 million for 2021-22 and 6.5 million for 2022-23. We note that after seeking clarification from the Department of Social Services in relation to this activity, they have advised that any commitment to the Volunteer Management Activity from July 2021 is a matter for Government. Volunteering Support Services (funded under the VMA) are place-based services responsible for safe, effective and sustainable volunteering, assisting thousands of organisations and individuals and contributing $477.5 million value to the Australian economy.

“Volunteering Australia has been strongly campaigning for indexation to be applied to the Volunteer Management Activity and for the program to be ongoing. We are very pleased that the Government has heard us on this issue. When there are 6 million Australians engaged in formal volunteer activities and programs across the community sector, emergency service and through other vital government programs, it is critical that this work is being factored into the budget. With no dedicated resource allocation for volunteering in areas such as the NDIS, services are forced to absorb costs and use existing funding to support their volunteer workforce” Volunteering Australia CEO, Adrienne Picone

As we move into the election period, we hope there will considered thought on the massive contributions to GDP volunteering provides and the need to strategically invest in this workforce to ensure government programs are safely and appropriately supported.

Our Pre-Budget Submission demonstrates how targeted, strategic investment in volunteering will enable the Australian Government to meet key priorities.