Premier

Inspiring Volunteers To Get Ready To Give Their Best

19 September 2022

Victorians from all walks of life will be inspired to return to volunteering or give it a go for the first time by a new campaign launched by the Andrews Labor Government.

The ‘Ready to Volunteer’ campaign is aimed at boosting the ranks of volunteers across the state following the decline during the pandemic.

National surveys have revealed around 36 percent of Australians did voluntary work just before the pandemic, but fell to 26 per cent last year.

In Victoria prior to the pandemic, around 2.3 million people - equivalent to 42.1 per cent of Victorians over 15 years of age - volunteered formally with organisations or informally in their communities.

Every Victorian benefits from our volunteer sector, be it in a direct or indirect way. In 2019, the economic value of volunteering to the state was $58 billion, with an average of 224 hours donated per volunteer.

The campaign is designed to encourage more Victorians to reconnect with their community in a meaningful way through volunteering by showing them how they can get involved in ways that suit them, their skills and interests.

As part of the campaign launch, the Minister for Disability Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks has praised the contribution of volunteers and highlighted the wide range of proven benefits for the people who volunteer and their community.

While many people are inspired to volunteer for the connection with like-minded people, supporting important community projects or contributing to social change, others find volunteering an effective way to learn new skills or find a pathway to a new job.

Volunteering can be one-off or something more structured and regular, local activities in community or delivered through not-for-profit organisations. And whether its online, face-to-face, outside or close to home – all contributions deliver great benefits.

To find the volunteering role that fits in with your life visit volunteer.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks

“There’s no better time to reconnect with your community and experience the sense of purpose and achievement that comes from volunteering.”

There’s no such thing as a typical volunteer – everyone has something to offer. Whatever your background, skills or experience, there’s a role out there that’s right for you.”

Quote attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Josh Bull

“It’s important to find the right volunteering opportunity for each person and many organisations offer flexible approaches to ensure anyone who wants to volunteer can do so.”

Reviewed 19 September 2022

Was this page helpful?