Facts & figures A snapshot of key information and statistics about volunteering in Queensland Typography Font Size Reading Mode Share This How many Queenslanders volunteer? How many Queenslanders volunteer? According to the ABS Census 2016, there are currently 714,138 volunteers in Queensland or 18.8% of the population. Barcoo (39.7%) has the largest percentage of people volunteering, followed by Diamantina (36.8%), Quilpie (36.1%), Barcaldine (36.0%), Blackall-Tambo (33.4%), Longreach (33.2%), Winton (31.5%), and Balonne (30.8%). Doomadgee (4.9%), Aurakun (7.9%), Lockhart River (8.7%), Logan (14.6%), and Gold Coast (14.9%) have the lowest participation rates in volunteering. Our capital city, Brisbane has a 20.45% participation rate in volunteering. Volunteering in rural and regional communities is higher than that in metropolitan areas. Previously there were approx. 980,000 volunteers in Queensland in 2014, 1.2 million volunteers in 2010 and 1.1 million volunteers in 2006. Volunteering by age Volunteering by age Volunteering among younger people in Queensland has increased, the volunteer rates of 18 - 24 year old Queenslanders is around 25%. Volunteering amongst 15 - 18 years olds is high and growing. Volunteer rates of Queenslanders aged 55 - 64 and 65+ are around 38% and 33% respectively. Parents with dependent children comprise the largest percentage of volunteers. Gender Gender Queensland women have a slightly higher volunteering rate at 36%, while Queensland men have a rate of 35%. Culturally and linguistically diverse volunteers Culturally and linguistically diverse volunteers The rate of volunteering amongst people born overseas is high, around 28%. For those speaking a language other than English at home the rate is around 25%. Generally lower than those born in Australia (39%) or those who speak English at home (39%). This difference shows the barriers to mainstream volunteering experienced by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Many of these volunteers tend to participate informally within their own cultural groups and their volunteering contributions are often informal and not recorded. Areas in which volunteers participate Areas in which volunteers participate The five most common/ popular areas in which people volunteer are: Sport and recreation Faith-based groups Community/ welfare Education Families and children Economic value of volunteering Economic value of volunteering The current wage rate used to work out the value of volunteering is $44.30. To work out the cost of volunteer replacement, please see our calculator. Volunteers annually provide in excess of 133.4 million hours work. Volunteering was annually worth $11.6 billion to the Queensland economy in 2014 (conservative). Formal volunteering is defined as unpaid help in the form of time, service and/ or skills willingly given by an individual through recognised organisations or groups. In 2014, formal voluntary work in Queensland was annually worth $4.6 billion. Informal volunteering is defined as the un-organised, unpaid help and care that occurs within the personal networks of family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances and local community. It is not mediated through an organisation and volunteers often do not have protections, such as volunteer insurance, policies, procedures, adequate training and management. In 2014, informal volunteering was annually worth an estimated $6.9 billion. Return on investment Return on investment Volunteering conservatively returns $4.50 for every $1 invested. Health and well-being benefits of volunteering Health and well-being benefits of volunteering Volunteers are happier, healthier and sleep better than those who don’t volunteer. 95% of volunteers say that volunteering is related to feelings of well-being. Volunteering results in a ‘helper’s high’, a powerful physical and emotional feeling experienced when directly helping others. Sustained volunteering is associated with better mental health. A strong correlation exists between the well-being, happiness, health, and longevity of people who are emotionally kind and compassionate in their charitable helping activities. The experience of helping others provides meaning, a sense of self-worth, a social role and health enhancement. Volunteering strengthens social inclusion, connection, identity, sense of purpose and lessens loneliness. Why people volunteer Why people volunteer To make a difference To give back To contribute to achieving the mission of an organisation To learn new skills – for self-satisfaction, work experience, and/ or as a pathway to employment To share their skills To meet friends and enjoy new social and cultural experiences To make professional networks To have fun To act on their values, passions, and interests For personal development – build confidence To enjoy better physical and mental health and well-being What encourages people to step into volunteering What encourages people to step into volunteering Someone asked them Following in the footsteps of family and/ or friends who already volunteer and have had good experiences Personal motivation Are passionate about a cause See advertising of opportunities that appeal to them See an immediate, urgent need and step forward Want a new experience and/ or challenge in a supportive environment To gain experience and/ or networks for future employment Volunteer efforts help Volunteer efforts help Enhance and extend the work of a cause/ organisation Improve the quality of life for clients and recipients of a service Spread the word and increase awareness of important issues and the organisation at which they volunteer Bring new insights, ideas and introduce new ways of working and thinking Get people involved in meaningful work Benefit the community at large Change the world! Why people leave volunteering Why people leave volunteering They don’t feel valued or welcome They don’t feel their time and/ or skills are being utilised effectively ‘Passage of life’ changes – these volunteers often return Unmet expectations Poor volunteer management and/ or poorly run organisation Real or perceived barriers to participation – cliques Lack of inclusion and acceptance of diversity Financial constraints Time constraints Transport constraints Regulatory, training and/ or bureaucratical concerns – red tape, etc Other interesting facts about volunteering Other interesting facts about volunteering 82% of volunteers were delighted, pleased or mostly satisfied with their lives, compared to 75% of non-volunteers. 82% of volunteers were much more likely to have attended a community event in the last six months, compared to 55% of non-volunteers. Volunteers were almost three times more likely to have provided a service or contributed to a community activity in their local area than non-volunteers (44% compared to 15%). Sources Sources Volunteering Australia key statistics about Australian volunteering Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) Voluntary Work Survey, Australia, 2010 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2014) General Social Survey, 2014 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2016) Census, 2016 volunteer advice