NSW State of Volunteering Report

The NSW State of Volunteering Reports are presented by the Centre for Volunteering, in partnership with the Department of Communities and Justice.

The 2025 NSW State of Volunteering Report builds on the previous research that The Centre for Volunteering has conducted. This allows us to observe the changes in volunteering over the past five years, reinforcing the strength and resilience of volunteering in NSW. 

The 2025 Report discusses key aspects of how volunteering is operating in NSW, the value of volunteering and the contribution of the sector to NSW communities, and the experiences of volunteer managers as they work in the sector. The current report makes comparisons to data from the past five years, where most useful for our current research, and you can view the 2021 NSW State of Volunteering Report and 2023 NSW State of Volunteering Report if you would like the full context for how volunteering in NSW has developed.

2025 NSW State of Volunteering Report

The 2025 New South Wales State of Volunteering Report is an important piece of ongoing research for the volunteering sector in NSW.

Commissioned by The Centre for Volunteering with funding support from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, the report presents a detailed examination of the characteristics of volunteers and volunteer management in NSW. It explores the strengths and challenges in the volunteering sector, and the immense contribution of volunteering to the state.

The 2025 NSW State of Volunteering Report adds to the strong base of research from which we can advocate for the sector, understand its needs, and develop resources to support the vital work that volunteers do across the state. 

The 2025 NSW State of Volunteering Key Findings have also been presented in an infographic format that summarises the essential information from the 2025 NSW State of Volunteering Report.  

2023 NSW State of Volunteering Report

The 2023 New South Wales State of Volunteering Report is a significant piece of research for the volunteering sector and broader NSW community. This report is the first comprehensive analysis of volunteering in NSW following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The report is based on two surveys, one of the general public of NSW, and one of NSW volunteer managers. These surveys represent the biggest research project on volunteering in NSW and provide us with vital data that builds on our inaugural State of Volunteering Report. 

The State of Volunteering 2023 Report presents a detailed examination of the characteristics of volunteers and volunteer management in NSW. It highlights the strength of the volunteering sector, and the immense benefits that volunteering contributes to the state. 

The State of Volunteering 2023 Key Findings are also available for download and viewing.

2021 NSW State of Volunteering Report

This in-depth analysis was undertaken by the Institute of Project Management which surveyed more than 1,100 volunteers and received more than 1,000 responses from volunteer involving organisations. In showcasing the characteristics of these communities and the volunteering landscape at large, the report observes the cost-benefit of the nearly 4.9 million residents across NSW who generously gave more than 1.5 billion hours of volunteering in 2020; contributing to a staggering estimated $127 billion.

The State of Volunteering 2021 Report presents a detailed examination of the characteristics of volunteers and volunteer management in NSW. It highlights the strength of the volunteering sector, and the immense benefits that volunteering contributes to the state. 

The State of Volunteering 2021 Key Findings are also available for download and viewing.