National Census: Are we a nation of volunteers?
[9 August 2006 | The Centre for Volunteering and Volunteering Australia]
Last night's Australian census featured for the first time a question on volunteering.
Question 51 on the National Census will build the growing picture of our volunteering habits over the last 12 months and highlight the importance of this crucial individual and community activity.
Volunteering Australia's CEO, Sha Cordingley, a member of the 2006 Census Working Group, encourages everyone who freely chose to volunteer in the past year (including corporate or employee volunteers, young people, supporting parents and people receiving pensions or government benefits) to answer 'yes' to Question 51.
"This is the first time that a question on volunteering has been included in the Census and the results will help improve conditions and increase opportunities for our millions of dedicated volunteers", Ms Cordingley said.
She concluded: "It's a significant move towards governments and communities understanding the impact volunteering has in this country."
Recent research commissioned by the Commonwealth Government found that 6.3 million Australians volunteered 836 million hours in 2005; or that one in 3 of us are spending an average of 132 hours a year volunteering.
Volunteering occurs in or through not-for-profits in all sectors including community, welfare and health, sports and recreation, arts and culture, the environment, youth and aged services and emergency management.
Fast facts
- There are as many as 700,000 nonprofit organisations in Australia, most of which are small and entirely dependent on the voluntary commitment of members. About 5% employ staff (about 35,000).
- 6.3 million Australians give a total of 836 million hours a year in volunteering (132 hours p/w on average)
- 41% of Australians volunteered in 2005 compared with 31% in 2000 and 24% in 1995.
- 47% of all people aged 35-44 volunteer – the most active group.
- 46% of women and 36% of men volunteer.
- Over 30% of young people (18-24 year-olds) volunteer.
- 70% of volunteers are also in paid employment.
- Researchers estimate the monetary contribution of volunteering to be in the tens of billions annually.
- Reasons for volunteering include 'being of service to the community' (47%) and 'personal satisfaction' (43%).