The Decline of Volunteering: Why It Matters and How We Can Revive It
Over the past two decades, Australia has witnessed a notable decline in formal volunteering rates, raising concerns about the sustainability of many community services and the overall social fabric. According to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, formal volunteering participation rates have decreased among individuals aged 15–40 and 41–65, while the rate among those aged 66 and above has gradually increased.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
1. Economic Pressures: Rising living costs and economic uncertainties have led individuals to prioritise paid work over unpaid volunteer activities.
2. Time Constraints: Modern lifestyles, characterised by demanding work schedules and personal commitments, leave limited time for volunteering.
3. Shifts in Volunteer Engagement: There is a growing trend towards short-term, episodic volunteering rather than long-term commitments, making it challenging for organisations to maintain consistent volunteer support.
4. Perceived Bureaucracy: Some potential volunteers are deterred by the administrative requirements and formalities associated with volunteering roles.
Implications of the Decline
The reduction in volunteering has significant consequences:
- Strained Community Services: charities rely on volunteers to deliver essential services. A decline in volunteer numbers can lead to reduced service delivery.
- Erosion of Social Capital: Volunteering fosters community bonds and civic engagement. A decrease in volunteerism can weaken community cohesion and social networks.
- Increased Pressure on Remaining Volunteers: With fewer volunteers available, those remaining may experience burnout due to increased responsibilities.
Revitalising Volunteerism
At People For Nature, we believe in the power of informed, committed citizens to drive change. We are more than a charity—we are a movement, a community where people come together to rethink a more “humane” society. Here, we form lifelong connections, support one another, and create small local and tangible impact.
In the face of declining volunteerism, we’re reimagining what it means to contribute. By making volunteering more flexible and rewarding, we can reignite civic engagement and strengthen our communities.
Our Ambassador Program:
Our Ambassador Program empowers people to become leaders in climate and biodiversity education, citizen conservation, and citizen science—creating impact in their communities and organisations across the country.
What Our Ambassadors Do:
🌿 Educate & Inspire – Deliver engaging workshops in schools, workplaces, and communities, turning complex environmental science into action. Help create Nature Oasis spaces—restorative green hubs that reconnect people with nature in urban environments.
🎤 Speak for Nature – Represent People For Nature at conferences and events, pitching bold ideas for climate and biodiversity solutions.
🧪 Lead Citizen Science – Mobilise communities to take part in conservation projects, gathering valuable data to protect Australia’s ecosystems.
Why Join?
✔️ Professional Training – Gain the skills and confidence to lead workshops, public talks, and citizen-driven initiatives.
✔️ National Impact – Help spread environmental awareness and action across Australia.
✔️ Lifelong Connections – Join a passionate network of like-minded changemakers.
✔️ Flexible Involvement – Choose how and where you contribute, based on your skills and availability.
By becoming a People For Nature Ambassador, you’re not just volunteering—you’re leading a movement.
Together, we can turn the tide on declining volunteerism and imagine a society where people and nature thrive—driven by the collective power of citizens who care.
Join us. Learn, inspire, and create change. 🌏💚
References:
The Decline of Formal Volunteering in Australia (2001–2020): Insights from the HILDA Survey; Rong Zhu – September 2022
Key Statistics about Volunteering in Australia: The General Social
Survey 2020 and the Household Impacts of COVID-19 Survey, Volunteering Australia
Five Forces that are Changing Volunteering in Queensland, Volunteering Queensland
Community events cancelled, emergency services stretched as volunteer numbers fall; Regional social affairs reporter ABC News Erin Parke