QUESTION 51: Volunteering Activity Across Australia
WHITE PAPER becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 1 Question 51: Volunteering Activity Across Australia Written and prepared by Be Collective International Pty Ltd May 2018
28 Thistlethwaite St, South Melbourne VIC 3205 [email protected]
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 2 Volunteering In Australia EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Every five years on Census night, people across Australia are asked to sit down and take time out of their evening to complete the questionnaire that tells us about our make up as Australians. The data provides insight, informs our sense of identity and is used to inform policy, funding, community, government and corporate decision-making, and understanding of our community.
On 9 August of 2016, the 17th Australian Census took place. The 2016 Census, with Question 51, was only the second census to explore volunteering, the previous being 2011, and hence has started to provide a longitudinal perspective on volunteering in Australia.
Upon the release of the ABS data on volunteering in late December 2017, Be Collective analysed the results of Australians’ response to Question 51 on their volunteering activity in the previous 12 months. The characteristics of Australian volunteers were identified by considering the influence of items such as geography, age, gender, education, country of birth and employment. Be Collective also compared these factors, where possible, to the 2011 Census data to understand trends.
In summary, 3.6 million Australians volunteer. Favourably, this is an increase of 1.3% from the 2011 Census. On the whole, people who live outside of Australia’s major cities were more involved in volunteering compared to their city counterparts. Between 2011 and 2016, people born in Sub-Saharan Africa not only volunteered more than the average Australian, they increased their volunteering rate the most. And, although women still volunteer more than men, men are closing the gap. Children from private and Catholic schools volunteer more than their government school counterparts, while their teachers are the most active volunteers in Australia by employment sector. Between 2011 and 2016, people employed in the private sector increased their volunteering significantly to join their public sector colleagues. Australia’s best performing local government area for volunteering is in Kimba, South Australia.
Volunteering in Australia is thriving. By including a question about volunteering in the past two censuses, our community has recognised the vital role that volunteering has in Australia and positions analysis of volunteering contribution in years to come. The latest ABS data shows an increasing trend of volunteering, the importance of volunteering in local communities, and intimates that volunteering reflects stories to be celebrated and opportunities realised of people giving their time for the greater good. Data gives us power.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 3 Volunteering has increased
3.6 1.3% million from 2011 - 2016 Australians Volunteer
People born in Sub-Saharan Africa volunteer more than the average Australian People outside a major city are more involved than city dwellers
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 4 The gender gap
Women still volunteer
more is closing than men
Finance professionals are catching up, rising
Teachers are the 3.6% in volunteering most active participation volunteers in Australia between 2011 - 2016
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 5 Contents
Volunteering Across Australia...... 07 Volunteering By State and Territory...... 08 Volunteering By Community Type...... 09 Volunteering By Local Government Authority...... 11 Volunteering Comparison By Geography 2011 to 2016...... 15
Volunteering By Gender...... 16 Volunteering Growth By Gender...... 17 Volunteering Comparison By Gender 2011 to 2016...... 17
Volunteering By Age...... 18 Volunteering By Age...... 19 Volunteering By People Under 20 Years of Age...... 19 Volunteering Comparison By Age 2011 to 2016...... 21
Volunteering By Education...... 22 Volunteering By Highest Education Attained...... 23 Volunteering By Educational Institution Type...... 25
Volunteering By Work...... 27 Volunteering By Employment Status...... 28 Volunteering By Private and Public Sector...... 29 Volunteering By Industry...... 31 Volunteering By Occupation...... 33 Volunteering By Income 2011...... 34 Volunteering By Income 2016...... 34
Volunteering By Ethnicity...... 35 Volunteering By Region of Birth...... 36 Volunteering By Comparison Australians and New Zealanders...... 36 Volunteering By Indigenous Status...... 37
Question 51: Volunteering Across Australia...... 38
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 6 Volunteering 3.6 ACROSS AUSTRALIA Million+ Australians volunteer
Volunteering is an enriching part of Australian life, strengthening local communities, growing social connections and networks, and providing significant health benefits. In the General Social Survey from 2014, the ABS estimated a total of 743 million hours of volunteering took place, with an estimated social impact of $26,057,010,000 – that’s 26 billion*.
The following data is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census, which captured self- reported figures of volunteering in the 12 months preceding Census night on 9 August, 2016.
Question 51 on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census asked: “In the last twelve months did the person spend any time doing voluntary work through an organisation or group?” with a yes/no option to answer. Respondents were asked to “include voluntary work at sporting teams, youth groups, schools and religious organisations, but to exclude working in a family business, paid employment, work to qualify for government benefit, to obtain an educational qualification and work due to a community or court order”.
Be Collective studied the datasets provided by the ABS regarding Australians response to Question 51 on Census night, and cross-referenced this data to create geographic, gender, age, education, culture and work-based analysis of volunteering in Australia.
Important to note, volunteering reported in the Census specifically excludes volunteering to support learning, in workplaces and to qualify for government benefit. Informal volunteering is also difficult to calculate especially when it includes caring for loved ones. Hence there is a difference in volunteering reporting in the 2011 and 2016 Censuses in comparison to the ABS General Social Survey 2010 (36% of Australian population 18 years and over) and the recent Giving Australia 2016 report (43.7% of adult Australians).
*This figure comes from catalogue 4159.0 of the ABS http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Latestproducts/4159.0Main%20 Features152014 where 743 million hours is multiplied at a rate of $35.07/hour
The AUD GDP was estimated in 2014 to be 1892.73 Trillion, or 1,892,730,000,000,000. GDP was calculated from USD figures using conversion rates in March 2018. https://tradingeconomics.com/australia/gdp
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 7 VOLUNTEERING BY STATE AND TERRITORY
Other Territories 25.6%
NT 17.1%
QLD 18.8%
WA 19%
SA 21.4%
NSW 18.1%
ACT 23.3% VIC 19.2% 19% Australians TAS Volunteer 21.2%
Australia’s Other Territories (including Christmas, Jervis and Norfolk Islands) have the highest rate of volunteering in Australia at 25.6%. This is closely followed by the ACT with 23.3% of residents volunteering.
States with volunteering above the national average are Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 8 VOLUNTEERING BY COMMUNITY TYPE
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0% ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA OT
Major Urban Other Urban Bounded Locality Rural Balance
*In this instance, Bounded Locality refers to towns, villages, populated places and local government towns. The full ABS definition of areas can be found here: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/1217.0.55.001
In terms of distribution of community type, rural and Apart from Rural and Bounded Northern Territory smaller towns had the highest volunteering rates. (16.4% and 13.3% respectively), Major Urban areas Across Australia, the highest volunteering community across Australia performed much less volunteering than type was Rural South Australia with 31.33% of the their regional and rural counterparts. eligible population volunteering.
Outside of South Australia, Australia’s Other Territories performed strongly, with 28.1% of their eligible population volunteering. This was followed by Rural Victoria at 27.76%.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 9 Volunteering is important to the survival of small rural communities. Without volunteers – communities like mine would die. Volunteers are the cornerstone of any small rural community. In most communities you will find that the volunteer is not only a member of one community group but several. For me personally, I thrive on volunteerism and am involved in 6 groups and organisations.
In Heathcote we have an amazing health and wellbeing event – a 5,10, 21 and 42km event – the O’Keefe Challenge with over 800 participants, and 3,000 family and supporters. This event, through the dedication and support of our team of volunteers, has been the catalyst in bringing together 5 communities along a 42 km stretch of rail trail.
Our team of 250 volunteers are from all walks of life including; churches, CFA, cycling, walking, riding groups, emergency services, community groups, and business bringing with them a range of skills and expertise to ensure the safety of both participants and supporters and a successful event. Volunteerism has provided members of our community the opportunity to broaden their skillset and has provided a platform for their personal and professionalism development. And, for me personally, it has made my life much richer and more fulfilling.
Sandra Slatter CM Event Director The O’Keefe Challenge
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 10 VOLUNTEERING BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY
% Highest Volunteering
% Lowest Volunteering
Volunteering - Australia’s Top 5
LGA State Percentage %
Kimba South Australia 51.8%
Mount Marshall Western Australia 50.7%
Lake Grace Western Australia 49.7%
Cleve South Australia 49.1%
Dowerin Western Australia 47.8%
Analysis of Question 51 found significant volunteering in regional and remote communities. The Local Government Authority (LGA) of Kimba in South Australia has the highest rate of volunteering in Australia (51.8%), followed closely by the LGAs of Mount Marshall (50.7%) Lake Grace (49.7%) and Dowerin (47.8%) in Western Australia and Cleve in South Australia (49.1%). The other leaders for each state and territory were Wagait in the Northern Territory (28.4%), Barcoo in Queensland (40.5%), Lockhart in New South Wales (34.7%), West Wimmera in Victoria (44.9%) and Flinders in Tasmania (37.5%).
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 11 LGA % 2016
Mount Marshall (S) 50.7%
Lake Grace (S) 49.7%
Dowerin (S) 47.8%
Kulin (S) 46.6%
Dumbleyung (S) 46.4% % Highest Volunteering
LGA % 2016
Ngaanyatjarraku (S) 8.3% WESTERN AUSTRALIA Laverton (S) 12.3%
Halls Creek (S) 12.3%
Wiluna (S) 12.7%
% Lowest Volunteering Belmont (C) 13.6%
LGA % 2016
Wagait (S) 28.4%
Alice Springs (T) 22.2%
Darwin (C) 18.7%
Coomalie (S) 18.2%
Katherine (T) 17.1% % Highest Volunteering
LGA % 2016
Central Desert (R) 8.2% NORTHERN TERRITORY MacDonnell (R) 8.3%
Tiwi Islands (R) 8.6%
West Daly (R) 9.1%
% Lowest Volunteering Belyuen (S) 9.8%
LGA % 2016
Barcoo (S) 40.5%
Diamantina (S) 38.3%
Quilpie (S) 36.4%
Barcaldine (R) 35.9%
McKinlay (S) 34.3% % Highest Volunteering
LGA % 2016 QUEENSLAND Doomadgee (S) 4.8%
Napranum (S) 7.5%
Aurukun (S) 7.5%
Kowanyama (S) 7.6%
% Lowest Volunteering Cherbourg (S) 8.2%
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 12 LGA % 2016
Lockhart (A) 34.7%
Greater Hume Shire (A) 33.4%
Temora (A) 32.9%
Walcha (A) 32.6%
Weddin (A) 31.5% % Highest Volunteering
LGA % 2016
Fairfield (C) 8.9%
NEW SOUTH WALES Liverpool (C) 11.0%
Cumberland* (A) 11.1%
Canterbury-Bankstown* (A) 11.6%
% Lowest Volunteering Rockdale (C) 11.6%
* Council did not exist in current form at the 2011 Census.
LGA % 2016
West Wimmera (S) 44.9%
Buloke (S) 40.5%
Yarriambiack (S) 38.5%
Queenscliffe (B) 37.9%
Hindmarsh (S) 37.7% % Highest Volunteering
VICTORIA LGA % 2016
Brimbank (C) 10.9%
Greater Dandenong (C) 11.0%
Whittlesea (C) 11.6%
Hume (C) 11.8%
% Lowest Volunteering Melton (C) 12.5%
LGA % 2016
Flinders (M 37.5%
King Island (M) 33.7%
Hobart (C) 26.9%
Kingborough (M) 26.17%
Glamorgan/Spring Bay (M) 25.5% % Highest Volunteering
TASMANIA LGA % 2016
Brighton (M) 12.6%
Glenorchy (C) 15.4%
Derwent Valley (M) 16.0%
Sorell (M) 18.2%
% Lowest Volunteering George Town (M) 19.1%
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 13 LGA % 2016
Kimba (DC) 51.8%
Cleve (DC) 49.1%
Wudinna (DC) 46.6%
Orroroo/Carrieton (DC) 43.3%
Elliston (DC) 43.1% % Highest Volunteering
LGA % 2016
Maralinga Tjarutja (AC) 7.8% SOUTH AUSTRALIA Anangu Pitjantjatjara (AC) 9.3%
Playford (C) 13.1%
Salisbury (C) 13.9%
% Lowest Volunteering Port Adelaide Enfield (C) 15.5%
Volunteering has opened my eyes to a wider world of opportunities for me to better myself, add real value to causes close to my heart and contribute to the impact I wish to see in the world.
The value of paying it forward is beyond any monetary reward I could receive.
Ryan Cook Operations The Thin Green Line
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 14 VOLUNTEERING COMPARISON BY GEOGRAPHY 2011 TO 2016
17.8% 19% +1.3% 2011 2016
+6.9%
+2.1% 25.0% +1.6% +1.7%
+0.1% +1.5% +2.1% +1.2% 20.0% +0.5%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0% 2011
2016 0.0% ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA OT
Volunteering has increased in the five years between the Over the period, volunteering rates also rose across 2011 and 2016 Census. In 2011, 17.8% of the population all Australian states and territories. Australia’s Other reported volunteering, five years later Australia’s Territories, (Norfolk, Jervis and Christmas Islands) led the volunteering increased by 1.3% to 19% of the Australian nation in percentage of volunteering growth between 2011 population volunteering. and 2016 at 6.9%, with Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria having above average volunteering growth at 2.1%, 1.6%, 1.7% and 1.5% respectively over the same period.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 15 Volunteering BY GENDER
Women continue to dominate volunteering in Australia.
Question 51 found women volunteer above the national average and outstrip their male counterparts by nearly 20%. In the five years since the last census, women’s volunteering grew slightly below the national average at 1.2%, while men’s volunteering grew by 1.3%. Men appear to be closing the gender gap.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 16 VOLUNTEERING GROWTH BY GENDER
3.0%
2.0% +1.3% +1.2%
1.0%
0.0%
Note, the census only recorded respondents as male or female. No other category was provided.
VOLUNTEERING COMPARISON BY GENDER 2011 TO 2016
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0% 15.8% 19.7% 17.1% 20.9%
5.0% Male
Female 0.0% 2011 2016
The 2016 Census confirmed women volunteer the most at 20.9% in larger numbers, however, the number of men volunteering increased at a slightly higher rate between 2011 and 2016 (1.3%) suggesting men may be closing the gender gap when it comes to volunteering.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 17 Volunteering BY AGE
Australia’s keenest volunteers are aged between 40-49 years old with 23.4% volunteering. 60-69 year olds (20.6%), 70-79 year olds (20.5%) and young people 10-19 (20.1%) all volunteer at rates above the national average. Important to note children 0-14 years old are not included in volunteering.
Over the past five years since the last census, the largest growth in volunteering has come from Australia’s young people 10-19 years (and especially those 15-18 year olds) at 3.5%.
Those aged 40-49 years exhibited growth of 2.1% and we found our Centenarians, our oldest cohort of people over 100 years old, were also had above average growth in volunteering at 1.6%.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 18 VOLUNTEERING BY AGE
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
23.4% 20.6% 10.0% 20.1% 19.8% 20.5% 17.4% 15.8% 11.5% 5.0%
4.3% 3.5% 0.0% 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100 100+ YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS
VOLUNTEERING BY PEOPLE UNDER 20 YEARS OF AGE
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
21.5% 21.0% 10.0% 19.6% 19.6% 18.7%
5.0%
0.0% 0-14 YRS 15 YRS 16 YRS 17 YRS 18 YRS 19 YRS
It is important to note here that Question 51 about volunteering is not available to be answered by people under the age of 15. Any young people volunteering with their families, school or sports community is not reported in this Census.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 19 At Northern Bay College, as we are working towards giving our students a pathway into employment or further education, we are seeing the value of our students being involved in volunteerism.
For so long we have been the recipient of the work of volunteers and it is our growing belief that it is time to give something back to those who believe in us and those who support our work. It is this social conscience we are trying to foster at Northern Bay College.
We are currently working with Kids Thrive to deliver Kids as Catalysts into our year six classes as a way of building this social consciousness. Kids as Catalysts is a way of leading community social change whereby, over a six month period, young children will identify and solve real problems facing their community through creative and collaborative projects.
It is also a way of contributing in a positive way to the local community where our students can be seen by the community in a positive light.
Fred Clarke College Principal Northern Bay P-12 College
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 20 VOLUNTEERING COMPARISON BY AGE 2011 TO 2016
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0% 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100 100+ YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS
2011 2016
jdk research
I have had some amazing opportunities to volunteer with my children, aged 8, 12 and 14. My eldest child wanted to donate his spare footy cards to children who could not afford footy cards, so we set up a charity called Fortunate Footy cards so we could mobilise our whole community to help, which ran for 4 years. He was awarded Glen Eira Council’s Young Citizen of the Year award as a result of his efforts. We are also involved in Scouts as a family, which involves considerable community service. For their bar and bat mitzvahs my eldest two each wrote a book about an issue that they were passionate about – “It Started with a Cupcake Stand: Citizenship, Changemaking and Community,” and “12x12x12: 12 girls, 12 sports, 12 years old”. We are involved in volunteer and fundraising activities for various causes as a family. It has been a bonding and rewarding experience to volunteer with my children, has made them realise how lucky they are and understand some of the realities of the world, making them more empathetic and grateful for their own lives.
Dr Jackie King Innovation Specialist JDK Research
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 21 Volunteering BY EDUCATION
In general, the 2016 Census data showed the more education Australians have, the more likely it is for them to volunteer.
In contrast, it appears the type of educational institution that young people are attending influences their reporting of volunteering more than double their government school peers.
In university and tertiary settings, students volunteer well above the national average.
It is important to note that Question 51 specifically instructed respondents to exclude any activity undertaken for an educational qualification.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 22 VOLUNTEERING BY HIGHEST EDUCATION ATTAINED
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0% 37.2%
15.0% 31.3% 28.1% 25.4%
10.0% 19.1% 18.4% 16.7%
11.8% 5.0%
0.0% Bachelor Postgraduate Certificate I & II Year 9 and below Certificate III & IV Year 10 and above Graduate Diploma Advanced Diploma
Analysis of Question 51 found, people holding Note the Census does not collect data for volunteers graduate diplomas lead the pack with 37.2% reporting under 15, which may skew the data of people not volunteering. This is nearly double the the national volunteering or not stated in the category of education average rate of volunteering of 19%. Australians of Year 9 or below with 11.8% volunteering. holding post-graduate degrees (31.3%) and those with bachelor degrees (28.1%) also volunteer at above average rates.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 23 Ardoch Youth Foundation is a children’s education charity focused on improving the educational outcomes for children and young people in disadvantaged communities. Ardoch’s Education Volunteers program, mobilising volunteers to support children in schools and early childhood services, has considerable support from retired and semi-retired teachers. We are also increasingly seeing students and early career professionals in the education field applying to volunteer with Ardoch as a way of learning more about the educational barriers of children in disadvantaged communities and as a means of gaining firsthand experience in providing support in a classroom environment, under the direction of experienced teachers.
Kylee Bates Chief Executive Officer Ardoch Youth Foundation
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 24 VOLUNTEERING BY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION TYPE
2011
University or other 26.3% Tertiary Institution 2016 28.2%
Technical or Further 20.3% Educational Institution (including TAFE Colleges) 21.5%
29.0% Secondary - Other Non Government 34.2%
23.4% Secondary - Catholic 27.5%
14.3% Secondary - Government 17.0%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%
Students attending non-government secondary schools Students at tertiary institutions and technical institutions were the most likely to volunteer with 34.2% of them also volunteered above average national with rates of volunteering, followed by those attending Catholic 28.2% and 21.5% respectively. secondary schools with 27.5% in 2016. This is well above the national average for volunteering of 19%. Further, The period between 2011 and 2016 saw significant volunteering has increased significantly at both non- increases to student volunteering across all government and Catholic schools since the last census educational institutions. in 2011, by 5.2 and 4.1 points respectively.
Students attending government secondary schools reported volunteering at a rate of 17% with growth of 2.7% since 2011.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 25 Volunteering is a central component to the ethos of Bialik College. Alongside curriculum time, Bialik creates opportunities to prepare our students to be active and positive members of society. Through volunteer work, students gain gratitude and perspective of their own lives and an appreciation for the positive impact they can have on others.
Volunteering opportunities are embedded into every year level in the school. On the festival Purim, our Year 12 students travel to spend the day with a primary school made up of over 90% refugee children. Friday afternoons at Bialik are scented with the aroma of freshly baked challah bread that our Year 8 and 9 students bake and sell to donate money to local charities. Bialik students shave and colour their hair for cancer research, donate blood to Australians in need, tend to gardens at old-age homes, sell old uniforms for youth homelessness and Run for the Kids around Melbourne.
We are showing our students that even at times when we are focusing on our own family and ourselves, we need to be looking at the problems we see in the world and work towards fixing them.
Jeremy Stowe-Lindner Principal Bialik College
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 26 Volunteering BY WORK
While Question 51 specifically excluded volunteering in paid employment, working people volunteered above average rates. However, respondents who identified themselves as unemployed and seeking part-time work volunteered more than 50% above the average Australian.
Teachers, people working in education and in government, especially local government, led the pack in terms of volunteering. Additionally, professionals from Finance and Insurance grew their volunteering by nearly three times the national average.
By income, people in our highest income bracket volunteered the most, closely followed by those earning the least, a true picture of generosity.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 27 VOLUNTEERING BY EMPLOYMENT STATUS
2011 2016
17.9% Employed F/T 19.8%
23.2% Employed P/T 24.2%
18.1% Employed, Away 17.1%
16.9% Unemployed, looking for F/T 21.2%
25.8% Unemployed, looking for P/T 28.8%
17.6% Not in labour force 18.5%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%
Australian’s who identify themselves as unemployed and looking for part-time work volunteered the most at 28.8%, followed by those working part-time at 24.2% and those who were unemployed and looking for fulltime work volunteering at at 21.2%. Since 2011, Australians looking for part-time and full-time work volunteered at higher rates.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 28 VOLUNTEERING BY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR
2011 18.5% Private Sector 20.2% 2016
25.1% Local Government 27.0%
25.2% State/Territory Govenment 26.8%
24.2% National Government 26.4%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0%
2 20 6 .2 .7 % %
Government Private Sector 2016 Sector 2016 20.2%
Volunteering Not Volunteering or Stated
People working for the government volunteered the most. Local Government are the frontrunners with volunteering at 27%, closely followed by State/Territory Government employees at 26.8% and National Government employees at 26.4%.
Interestingly, private sector volunteering increased between 2011 and 2016 by 1.7 points to take volunteering rates from below to above the national average.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 29 The City of Port Phillip supports and encourages volunteering and volunteerism. Volunteering promotes a sense of belonging and wellbeing; connects people to the causes they care deeply about; and contributes to social inclusion outcomes for individuals, communities and society. The City of Port Phillip has established a dedicated volunteer portal to help encourage, understand and capture the collective impact and benefits of volunteering across our City.
CoPP encourages staff to volunteer and does provide opportunities to volunteer in activities. Staff run the toy drive at Christmas, blood bank donations, Friends of Suai activities, support the Brigidine Asylum Seeker project, Pride March, NAIDOC week activities, and a range of other community fundraising and causes.
Danielle Fraser Manager Future Communities | Community & Economic Development City of Port Phillip, Victoria
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 30 VOLUNTEERING BY INDUSTRY
2011 2016
Transport, Postal, Warehousing +0.9%
Construction +1.0%
Manufacturing +2.4%
Hospitality +1.1%
Retail +1.1%
Mining +1.9%
Administrative +1.0%
Wholesale Trade +2.7%
Real Estate +1.3%
Electricity, Gas, Water, Waste +2.5%
Health Care & Social Assistance +0.4%
Information Media & Telecom +3.4%
Public Administration & Safety +1.5%
Finance & Insurance +3.6%
Science & Technical +1.8%
Arts & Recreation +2.6%
Agriculture -0.5%
Education +2.6%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%
On average 21.5% of working Australians report they Public Administration and Safety (24.2%), Information Media volunteer. Across Australia, people working in Education and Telecom (23.0%), Healthcare and Social Assistance volunteer the most. At a volunteering rate of 34.8%, (22.4%) and Electricity, Gas, Water, Waste (21.7%). educators and others in the sector are volunteering at Professionals from the Finance and Insurance industry nearly double the national average of 19%. Other sectors experienced the largest increase of volunteering levels with above average volunteering rates include Agriculture between 2011 and 2016 at 3.6%. (31.5%), Arts and Recreation (27.2%), Science and Technical (27.0%), Finance and Insurance (26.7%),
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 31 As Australia’s 5th largest bank with 7,200 staff and 1.6 million customers, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank takes it’s commitment to community seriously. Partnering with community is part of our DNA, our values and is expressed in the way we do business. We believe a Bank’s primary role is to contribute to the prosperity of communities and we are actively doing this, right across Australia. Whether this is through the 1,960 Volunteer Community Bank ® Directors who have overseen over $180M in grants and programs through their local Community Bank ® branch, or through the active involvement of our staff, many of whom are passionate volunteers in their own community. Volunteerism is the glue that binds communities together.
Collin Brady Head of Community Strengthening Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 32 VOLUNTEERING BY OCCUPATION
2011 2016
10.3% Machinery Operators & Drivers +1.1% 11.4%
12.4% Labourers +1.1% 13.5%
13.3% Technicians & Trades +1.0% 14.3%
16.1% Sales +1.6% 17.7%
20.6% Clerical & Administrative +1.8% 22.4%
21.2% Community & Personal Service +0.7% 21.9%
23.9% Managers +2.1% 26.0%
26.8% Professionals +2.2% 29.0%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%
The 2016 census saw growth in volunteering for every occupation type over the past five years. Australians who categorised themselves as Professional volunteered at the highest rate at 29%, with Managers (26%), and Clerical and Administrative Workers (22.4%) and Community and Personal Service Workers (21.9%) volunteering above the national average.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 33 VOLUNTEERING BY INCOME 2011
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
24.4% 22.1% 22.3% 20.1% 10.0% 19.1% 18.7% 16.6% 17.1% 17.5% 17.3% 16.9% 17.3%
5.0%
0.0% Negative NIL $1- $10,400- $15,600- $20,800- $31,200- $41,600- $52,000- $65,000- $78,000- $104,000 Income Income $10,399 $15,599 $20,799 $31,199 $41,599 $51,999 $64,999 $77,999 $103,999 or more
VOLUNTEERING BY INCOME 2016
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0% 29.1% 26.1% 26.0% 24.4% 21.8% 23.0% 10.0% 20.1% 21.1% 18.7% 18.2% 18.2% 19.3% 17.2% 17.9% 17.9%
5.0%
0.0% Negative NIL $1- $7,800- $15,600- $20,800- $26,000- $33,800- $41,600- $52,000- $65,000- $78,000- $91,000- $104,000- $156,000 Income Income $7,799 $15,599 $20,799 $25,999 $33,799 $41,599 $51,999 $64,999 $77,999 $90,999 $103,999 $155,999 or more
Australians earning the most volunteer the most, those earning the least a close second at 26.1%.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 34 Volunteering BY ETHNICITY
At the time of the census, people born in the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa and living in Australia volunteered the most. Additionally, people born in Oceania and North West Europe volunteer above average. Across all ethnic groups there has been growth in the past five years since the last census in 2011.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 35 VOLUNTEERING BY REGION OF BIRTH
21.5% Americas 2011 22.9%
2016 19.6% Sub-Saharan Africa 22.6% * Includes Australia and New Zealand 20.3% Oceania & Antarctica* 22.1%
18.7% North-West Europe 20.1%
12.7% South-East Asia 14.9%
13.2% Southern & Central Asia 14.2%
12.2% North-East Asia 13.0%
9.3% North Africa & Middle East 11.8%
7.8% Southern & Eastern Europe 9.1%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0%
VOLUNTEERING BY AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS
20.39% 18.16% 2011 2011 +1.79% +1.86% 22.25% 19.95% 2016 2016
By region of birth, people born in the Americas reported With a deep dive into volunteering rates amongst the most volunteering, with a rate of 22.9%, closely people born in the Oceania region, particularly with a followed by those born in Sub-Saharan Africa with 22.6%, lens on Australia and New Zealand, Australians and New and those born in Oceania, which includes Australia and Zealanders volunteer above the national average at New Zealand, with 22.1%. 22.3%and 20% respectively.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 36 VOLUNTEERING BY INDIGENOUS STATUS
2011
2016 13.7% Both Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander 15.9%
14.0% Torres Strait Islander 15.3%
12.6% Aboriginal 14.7%
0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0% 16.0% 18.0%
For those who identify as Indigenous, volunteering increased in the five years since the last census.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 37 QUESTION 51: VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITY ACROSS AUSTRALIA
In following up the 2011 Census, Question 51 of the 2016 Census explored the volunteering activity of Australians and established the significance of understanding volunteering in Australia longitudinally. The 2016 Census painted a solid picture of volunteering in Australian society with fairly consistent voluntary participation across all demographic indices. Analysis of Question 51 and its comparison with the 2011 Census results deepens our understanding of volunteering activity in Australia and the factors that influence the attraction, retention and engagement of volunteers. Knowledge is power.
Question 51 of the 2016 Census has enabled us to identify high performers as well as opportunities to leverage growth and build upon success. We know that Norfolk Islanders, residents of small rural or urban towns, women, 40-49 year olds and teachers are high performers. We also learnt that young people, centenarians, men, finance and insurance professionals and people born in Sub-Saharan Africa are growing their volunteering significantly. Additionally, Question 51 told us we need to invest in our children, workplaces, schools, indigenous and urban centres to encourage and support volunteering to grow and flourish.
When estimates for the contribution of volunteering to GDP are around $26 billion and more if we consider the contribution of informal volunteering, the importance of volunteering to Australia and Australians cannot be denied.
Further, the outcomes of volunteering activity have a direct and tangible benefit to our community as it receives vital service performed by volunteers to support people in need, look after our flora and fauna, address disadvantage and social justice and importantly build a sense of community wellbeing.
Finally, volunteering is good for us. People who volunteer report being healthier, feeling happier, gaining skills, building networks and forming friendships. Volunteers are also more likely to build skills and get work if they are looking for work. It is clear that volunteering needs to be encouraged and celebrated. It is also clear that giving our time and skills as volunteers for the causes we care about is good for Australia.
becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 38 The raw data was obtained from the 2011 and 2016 Census catalogue, the Australian Bureau of Statistics. While care has been taken to preserve the integrity of data, the ABS alters figures to protect identities and privacy. This results in some discrepancy within the data.
All Census data is self-reported. Question 51 asked about volunteering activity in the past 12 months since the Census was taken, consequently the data is a capture of Australian volunteering between 2015-2016 and 2010-2011.
Percentages have been rounded to one decimal point in all cases.
“Percentage of” has been calculated through the number of volunteers against a total pool of volunteers, non- volunteers, and “not stated” figures. Where a “Not Applicable” figure has been included, such as with age comparisons, this has been excluded from the final “percentage of” figure.
For the State-based LGA figures, unincorporated states, those with no usual address and migratory figures were excluded from results if they fell in the top or lowest 5. The data is based on a volunteer’s usual place of residence. Similarly, results where responses are not applicable have been largely excluded from results.
The ABS excluded people under the age of 15 from responding to their volunteering activity in the Census.
For further information, a copy of the Census questions, or to discuss the data please contact [email protected] becollective.com becollective.com Volunteering Activity Across Australia 40