Volunteering changes lives and fills community gaps across the country

Volunteering plays a vital role in Australian society, with 9.5 million individuals contributing their time in formal or informal capacities in 2025, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Lucy Stevens, a passionate volunteer for over a decade, exemplifies the profound impact of this engagement. Her experience volunteering with World Vision in remote communities in Zimbabwe and South Africa at age 16 profoundly changed her life, taking her further than she ever anticipated. Stevens, who recently managed a team of 40 volunteers at The Smith Family, also highlighted volunteering as a valuable pathway to employment for young people, enhancing their resumes and connecting them with causes they care about. Data from the ABS General Social Survey indicates that 16.4% of young people aged 15 to 24 volunteered formally in 2025, while 22.9% engaged in informal volunteering. The survey also found that adults aged 35-54 are the most likely to volunteer. In Sydney, the Early Bird Cafe, run by volunteers at St. Stephens Uniting Church, served 63,000 meals to the needy and homeless in the last financial year. Despite facing a significant reduction in grant funding, volunteers like Carol Lewis continue to provide essential support, demonstrating the critical role they play in addressing community needs, from social inclusion and wildlife care to emergency responses.

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Some of the most amazing experiences of my life have come out of volunteering.