What is volunteering?

Volunteering is when you give your time to serve others without being paid.

Volunteering can be both informal or formal.

Informal volunteering includes things like helping your friends and family with babysitting or home repairs.

Formal volunteering usually takes place through a charity or community organisation.

You can volunteer in person or online. You may want to volunteer regularly or just sometimes.

Volunteering can help you build your relationships in your community. It can also have positive impacts on the wellbeing of volunteers.

Why may I want to volunteer?

There are many reasons why you might want to volunteer, such as to:

• support important causes
• fill in time in retirement
• connect with other people
• learn about different cultures
• give back to your community
• learn new skills
• get experience to improve your employment chances

What are the health benefits of volunteering?

Volunteering can help improve your mood and increase your sense of satisfaction or happiness. People who volunteer have less signs of:

• depression
• anxiety
• social isolation

Volunteering also builds something called social capital. This is the value you get from building connections with people who have similar values to you.

Where can I volunteer?

Volunteers make a vital contribution to Australian society. You can find volunteers in our:

• schools
• hospitals
• residential aged care facilities
• playing fields
• community centres

There are many organisations that are looking for volunteers. You can find some of these listed below.

Groups that help to keep our communities safe

• State Emergency Services in NSW, Vic, SA, Tas, Qld, WA — help in flood, storm, bush search and rescue emergencies
• Surf Life Saving Australia — Australia's peak coastal water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority

Groups that support and care for vulnerable people

• Australian Red Cross — aims to lower human suffering
• Meals on Wheels — works to raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition and social connection for older Australians
• The Smith Family — help young Australians to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty
• Starlight Children's Foundation — use play, social connection and creativity to support children and young people going through serious illness
• UnitingCare Australia — offers social services across Australia

Groups that look after animals and the environment

• the RSPCA — provides animal care and protection services across Australia
• Conservation Volunteers Australia — focuses on the health of our oceans, wetlands and rivers

Resources and support

You can search for volunteer positions near you on the Go Volunteer website.

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteers. Visit its site to learn more about volunteering.

ReachOut has information on ways to look after yourself while volunteering.

If you are worried about loneliness, you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.