People of all abilities, backgrounds and locations actively participate in and enjoy the benefits of volunteering, which can be tailored to suit the individual needs, skills and passions of each volunteer.
If you’re interested in joining the 4.9 million volunteers making a difference in New South Wales, explore the resources and information below to learn how you can get involved.
About Volunteering
What is volunteering?
Volunteering takes many forms and can be practised through both informal and formal channels.
Informal volunteering happens outside of an organisation and can include acts of support to non-household members (excluding family) such as cooking meals, assisting with home repairs or childcare. On the other hand, formal volunteering is done as part of an organisation and usually involves the strategic vision, structure and supervision of a charity or not-for-profit.
The term ‘volunteering’ does not mean the same thing to all people and cultures. We recognise that Western definitions of volunteering, especially regarding giving, sharing, and helping family, may be different to those used among multicultural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We value and support all forms of volunteering and strive to better understand how it works in all communities in NSW.
Why is volunteering important?
Volunteering plays a crucial role in supporting the cultural, social and economic fabric of local communities. This covers many important industries including health, education, sport, animal welfare, environmental conservation, arts and culture, museum and heritage, community services, aged care, disaster relief, human rights, migrant services, emergency response and many more.
This incredible reach and scale is reflected in the fact that over 14 million Australians volunteer every year, contributing approximately 3.44 billion hours in 2023 to communities across the country.
In 2025, the value of volunteering in NSW amounted to a staggering $205.3 billion, involving around 4.9 million volunteers and 69.5% of people over 15.
Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering is a two-way relationship. Not only does helping others benefit the greater community, but it is also a deeply rewarding experience that is scientifically linked to a number of social, professional, physical, psychological and cognitive advantages.
As a volunteer, you can expect to:
Connect with others
- Meet and mingle with like-minded people who share your interests and values
- Strengthen your ties to the community, especially if you’re new to the area
- Enjoy a sense of belonging by expanding your social circle
Gain a fresh lease on life
- Renew your energy and creativity by trying something new
- Feel a sense of pride by aligning your core values with a worthy cause
- Refresh your sense of purpose through participating in a fulfilling activity
Learn new skills
- Grow and strengthen your confidence
- Practice your communication and interpersonal skills in new situations
- Develop your leadership skills and the ability to work cohesively with others
Care for your mind and body
- Experience increased psychological well-being, happiness and satisfaction
- Combat the effects of social isolation, depression and anxiety
- Lessen the symptoms of chronic pain and reduce the risk of heart disease
Improve your career and employment prospects
- Broaden your professional network
- Gain valuable work experience and training in your desired field
- Demonstrate attractive workplace qualities including commitment, drive and dedication
Volunteering Rights and Responsibilities
The Statement of Volunteering Rights and Responsibilities is for organisations that engage volunteers and for people considering or undertaking volunteer roles.
Volunteering Roles to Match Your Interests
Select a category of volunteering that appeals to you and click on the card to reveal suggestions.
Steps to Volunteering
Find a Volunteer Role
Search for volunteer opportunities in your local area, adapted to your interests and availability, using our search engine.
If you are interested in skilled volunteering, please sign up for our Skilled Volunteering Weekly Alert which is circulated by email to our subscribers each Monday. This Alert provides a variety of skilled roles provided by members of The Centre for Volunteering each week. These positions often require professional skills for those who would like to share their expertise with the community.
Sign up to the Skilled Volunteering Weekly Alert at the bottom of the page.
Attend a free introductory workshop
Our free introductory workshop, Bridge to Volunteering, covers all the fundamental basics, including the benefits, rights and responsibilities of volunteers and organisations. It is held on Fridays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Bookings are essential.
Read the online Volunteer Guide
The Volunteer Guide gives you the foundations: the core concepts and practices that underpin volunteering in Australia. Also discover a range of Knowledge Base articles, eLearning modules, and other useful resources.
Obtain a Police Check
The Centre for Volunteering has partnered with the NSW Police Force to offer volunteers and organisations a national police check at the reduced rate of $15. Once obtained, this check remains in the applicant’s personal portfolio and can be used towards future volunteering applications and endeavours.
Contact us for support
If you would like help in finding a suitable volunteer opportunity, we can support you.
Our team can provide advice and guidance to help you find the right volunteer role for you.
All you need to do is contact our friendly and experienced team by emailing [email protected] or calling 9261 3600 Mon – Fri between 10am – 4 pm.
Nationally Recognised Training & Knowledge Base
If you’re looking to further build your skills and develop confidence, view The Centre’s nationally recognised training.
Learn more about Nationally Recognised Training
Additionally, check out the Volunteering resources on the Knowledge Base library.