The Supply and Demand of Volunteers in the Not-for-Profit sector of New South Wales Research Report

Published by The Centre for Volunteering, March 2010

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Executive Summary

Volunteering is a proven major contributor to community well-being. Access to adequate numbers of volunteers with long-term commitment is crucial to the performance of many agencies in the not-for-profit (NFP) sector in New South Wales.

The Centre for Volunteering (The Centre) conducted an investigation into the supply and demand for volunteers in the NFP sector. The project combined a literature review, a summary of available Australian statistics, an analysis of trends and interviews with volunteer managers from four major NFP organisations.

Findings were somewhat compromised by the fact that statistical data from different sources are not strictly comparable. Accordingly, the potential supply of volunteers is difficult to estimate and the participation rate underestimates the potential of those who might volunteer if presented with the right opportunity or challenge.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australia-wide statistics show a rising participation rate for volunteers. In 1995 the rate was 24%; by 2006 it had risen to 35%. The number of adult volunteers was 5.4 million in 2006, 35% of the population. However, the number of hours per volunteer has actually declined over the same period. The number of hours contributed annually by each individual had fallen from 74 hours to 72 hours. That figure itself represents only about one and a half hours each week per volunteer. Volunteering in NSW is lower than in the rest of Australia.

The figures suggest that volunteering is not increasing with the ageing of the Baby Boomers, and indeed volunteering by older men actually declined between 2000 and 2006 from 38% to 32%. However, there is evidence that older volunteers contribute longer average hours than those in their thirties and forties. High participation for fewer hours in the middle-aged groups may reflect the preponderance of school-and-sport related volunteering activities among parents.

The Centre for Volunteering study concluded that the issue is not a simple one of supply and demand. Complex issues are involved. Many adjustments are required if sectoral needs and volunteer aspirations are to achieve a better match. While there does not appear to be a significant shortage of potential volunteers at the moment, creating a good match between volunteer expectations and the needs of NFP agencies is not easy. Volunteer managers are understandably more enthusiastic about volunteers who fit readily into their organisations and are capable of a long-term commitment. Managing a constant churn of short-term volunteers is a costly exercise.

The key recommendations are as follows:

For the NFP sector to make the best use of potential resources in the future, it must be willing to invest in effective management of volunteers and consistent record keeping to facilitate measurement of the social impact of volunteering.

1. Government and the sector should consider development of consistent definitions, using resources such as the Centre for Volunteering to inform the debate.
2. The NFP sector should accelerate the development and implementation of HR systems which provide appropriate HR management and resource utilisation data.
3. The NFP sector should examine and address changing demographics which may impact on their future supply of volunteers
4. Infrastructure funding should be sought to assist the NFP sector to upgrade the professionalism of its volunteer recruitment and management practices.
5. Infrastructure funding should be sought for promoting and recognising the value of volunteer work, to demonstrate the benefits and enhance the attractiveness of regular volunteering.
6. Special attention should be focused on attracting younger volunteers to facilitate intergenerational change.
7. Infrastructure funding should be sought to improve training for potential volunteers, to assist their preparedness for voluntary work, particularly those approaching or in retirement.
8. The Centre for Volunteering should work with the NFP community to identify areas of need and develop further research in this area.

The Centre for Volunteering policy unit should debate with the NFP sector and Government the requirement for additional research in this important area.