Census taps into volunteering
By Lisa Saremel
For the first time, a question about volunteering was included in the recent Australian Census. Question 51 of the August 8 Census asked participants to indicate whether they had spent any time in the past year doing voluntary work through an organisation or group.
The Census information, which is used to inform future planning decisions, will now give an estimate of the extent of volunteering nationally.
Volunteering Australia's CEO Sha Cordingley, said the information would help improve conditions and increase opportunities for volunteers. "It's a significant move towards governments and communities understanding the impact volunteering has in this country," she said.
Recent Government research showed that 6.3 million Australians volunteered 836 million hours in 2005.
The Census, carried out every five years, included questions about other types of unpaid work such as domestic work and care for family members with an illness or disability and child care.
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au
www.volunteering.com.au