This report aims to highlight the breadth and diversity of volunteering activity that contributes to ‘crisis resilience’ in Australia. The term ‘crisis resilience’ refers to the capacity of communities to undertake prevention, preparedness, response and recovery activities in relation to any major crisis, such as natural disasters, public health crises and environmental emergencies.
Volunteering is a fundamental component of Australia’s crisis resilience, facilitating social connections, contributing to the development of social capital, and improving access to local supports and services. Volunteers support crisis resilience by contributing to prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery activities. These contributions include:
- Response and recovery during natural disasters.
- Essential service provision, including food relief, the delivery of essential goods, and social connection.
- Supporting the response to public health crises (for example, assisting at vaccination clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic).
- Mental health support.
- Suicide prevention and crisis intervention.
- Environment and wildlife protection.
Available data indicates that Australia’s crisis resilience is supported by well over one million volunteers. Volunteers support crisis management across local and state/territory government services, through major charities and not-for-profits, and directly through informal community groups or online platforms. However, support and planning for volunteer involvement is not consistently included in national crisis management frameworks.
