ABS survey results
[4 July 2007 | Volunteering Australia]
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is in the process of releasing three surveys/summaries which include the latest findings on volunteering: 1) Census (June 2007); 2) Voluntary Work Survey (July 2007); and 3) General Social Survey: Summary of Findings (4159.0 May 2007).
There is usually a steady progression from research report to research report. In volunteering statistics in the Voluntary Work Survey: 24% Australians volunteered in 1996; 32% in 2001; and 34% in 2007 (the General Social Survey includes some of the information that will be published in the Voluntary Work Survey). The Census however has a national rate of volunteer participation of 17% which is half that of the Voluntary Work Survey. It is unclear why this is occurring and Volunteering Australia and the ABS are analysing the reasons for the difference.
Volunteering Australia and The Centre for Volunteering are both keen to find out more about why there is such a difference between ABS statistics and other surveys undertaken to assess volunteer involvement throughout Australia.
One of the differences between the surveys might be in the actual survey instruments themselves. For example, the people who responded to the Voluntary Work Survey underwent an interview process where they were told about the definition of volunteering and were given a number of prompts to help them think about the things they do in the community. For example, they were asked to consider a list of sectors where they might have volunteered as well as a list of activities. Also the interviewer spoke to one person at a time.
In the Census, things were a bit different: 1) it is unknown if people answered for others, and 2) while there was a guide that included information on volunteering it is unknown how many people actually took the time to consider that information while they were filling out the questionnaire.
The Centre for Volunteering will keep you posted of Volunteering Australia's progress with the ABS.