As Australia prepares to mark National Volunteer Week from 18 to 24 May, community organisations across the country are celebrating the quiet work of volunteers while also facing a growing challenge – fewer people are stepping forward to help.
From charity groups and migrant organisations to sporting clubs, churches, community media and cultural associations, many activities that bring Australians together continue largely because of volunteers giving their time after work, on weekends, or between family responsibilities.
This year’s National Volunteer Week campaign encourages Australians to make 2026 “Your Year to Volunteer”, highlighting how even a small commitment can make a meaningful difference in local communities.
The call comes as the St Vincent de Paul Society Australia says volunteer numbers are declining while the average age of volunteers continues to rise.
The Society’s National President, Mark Gaetani, said volunteers remain at the heart of community support services across Australia.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Society, but we are seeing fewer people stepping forward,” Mr Gaetani said.
“At the same time, the need for support has never been greater. What we’ve learned is that making a difference doesn’t require a huge commitment. Just two hours a week can mean a shared meal, a meaningful conversation, or a turning point for someone doing it tough.”
“In less time than it takes to go see a movie, you can make a real difference in someone’s life – and your own.”
The Society relies on around 40,000 members and volunteers nationwide to assist people experiencing hardship through Vinnies Shops, homelessness programs, meal services, community outreach and welfare support.
But the conversation around volunteering extends beyond major charities.
Across Australia’s multicultural communities, many organisations continue to operate almost entirely through volunteer support. Community festivals, language schools, church activities, seniors groups, cultural events, youth programs and local media initiatives often depend on people willing to donate their skills and time without expecting financial reward.
In many migrant communities, volunteering also becomes a way for newly arrived Australians to build friendships, improve confidence, gain local experience and feel connected in a new country.
Community publications such as The Philippine Times also continue to rely heavily on volunteer contributors, photographers and community storytellers who help document the experiences, achievements and everyday life of Filipino – Australians across the country.
Many volunteers juggle these commitments alongside full-time work, family responsibilities and rising living costs.
Mr Gaetani said the pressure is increasingly being felt by long-serving volunteers who are carrying heavier workloads as fewer younger people become involved.
“Our volunteers come from all walks of life. One thing they have in common is a desire to share their time with other people in their community,” he said.
“Whether it is giving a hand up for their neighbours who need a listening ear or walking alongside those who are doing it tough today, we see a real joy from all those touched by volunteering.”
He added that volunteering helps strengthen social connections in an increasingly busy and isolated world.
“Volunteering reflects our inherent need for friendship and connection within and across our diverse local communities. Volunteers are part of the fabric that help bind our national social cohesion at so many local levels.”
For many Australians, especially within multicultural communities, volunteering is often less about formal programs and more about quietly helping where needed – organising community gatherings, preparing food, mentoring young people, covering events, fundraising, driving elderly members to appointments, or simply checking on someone doing it tough.
As communities continue facing rising living costs, social isolation and increasing demand for support services, many organisations hope more Australians – especially younger generations – will consider becoming involved in community life in whatever way they can.
Sometimes, helping a community survive begins with something as simple as showing up for a few hours.
