Where do people volunteer? family tradition. The most common cause areas people volunteered for Emerging issues were: From our review of the literature, some emerging issues are: Figure 1: Most common volunteer cause areas 2016 systemic change in nonprofit sector, including use The cause area most likely to attract volunteers differs of information technologies, is both a barrier and according to volunteer age: an opportunity, and lack of knowledge about engaging culturally and younger volunteers (18–24 year olds) most linguistically diverse groups in formal volunteering commonly volunteer for religious causes, sports, with nonprofit groups. health and social services those aged 35–44 most commonly reported Giving Australia 2016 report series volunteering for primary and secondary education 45–54 year olds most commonly volunteered in Giving Australia 2016: a summary sports, and Philanthropy and philanthropists Giving and volunteering – the nonprofit perspective those aged 65 years and over are most likely to Business giving and volunteering volunteer for religious causes, followed by health Individual giving and volunteering and social services. Giving Australia 2016 Literature review summary report Reasons for volunteering Giving Australia 2016 Literature review For more information: Key reasons people volunteer: personal satisfaction QUT | 07 3138 1020 connection to community practical benefit (e.g. to gain skills) Swinburne University of Technology | 03 9214 8000 | 02 8272 5101 keep busy when no longer working mental health benefits, and Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to for more information.
Where do people volunteer? The most common cause areas people volunteered for were: Figure 1: Most common volunteer cause areas 2016 The cause area most likely to attract volunteers differs according to volunteer age: younger volunteers (18–24 year olds) most commonly volunteer for religious causes, sports, health and social services those aged 35–44 most commonly reported volunteering for primary and secondary education 45–54 year olds most commonly volunteered in sports, and those aged 65 years and over are most likely to volunteer for religious causes, followed by health and social services. Reasons for volunteering Key reasons people volunteer: personal satisfaction connection to community practical benefit (e.g. to gain skills) keep busy when no longer working mental health benefits, and family tradition. Emerging issues From our review of the literature, some emerging issues are: systemic change in nonprofit sector, including use of information technologies, is both a barrier and an opportunity, and lack of knowledge about engaging culturally and linguistically diverse groups in formal volunteering with nonprofit groups. Giving Australia 2016 report series Giving Australia 2016: a summary Philanthropy and philanthropists Giving and volunteering – the nonprofit perspective Business giving and volunteering Individual giving and volunteering Giving Australia 2016 Literature review summary report Giving Australia 2016 Literature review For more information: QUT | 07 3138 1020 Swinburne University of Technology | 03 9214 8000 | 02 8272 5101 Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to for more information.