Volunteer and Make a Difference in Your Community
There’s that moment in life that we realise the kids have moved out, work has wound back or stopped altogether, and the calendar has more free time than it’s had in thirty years. Some people love it. Others find the days start to feel a bit long.
Volunteering is one of the simplest ways to fill that space with something worthwhile — and the good news is your community needs you more than you probably realise.
According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, 9.5 million Australians volunteered in 2025. More than 5 million did it formally through an organisation, contributing over 618 million hours across the year. That’s up sharply from 490 million hours in 2020.
Older Australians do a lot of the heavy lifting. Around 30% of people volunteering for welfare and community organisations are aged 65 and over, and people aged 70-plus are among the most likely age groups to volunteer through an organisation.
Benefits of volunteering
Let’s be honest, volunteering is only half the story. The other half is what it does for you.
It’s good for your mental health – research consistently links volunteering with lower rates of depression and anxiety, particularly for people 65 and over.
It’s good for your physical health – volunteers report better physical health than non-volunteers, and many roles keep you moving and thinking at the same time.
It beats loneliness – social isolation can creep up quietly after retirement, especially if work was where most of your friendships lived. Studies of older volunteers find significantly lower levels of loneliness compared with non-volunteers.
It gives you purpose – older volunteers report bigger gains in life satisfaction and self-esteem than younger ones.
Your skills stay sharp and useful – forty years of bookkeeping, teaching, nursing, trades, management or customer service doesn’t evaporate at retirement. Small community organisations are desperate for exactly that experience.
Where to volunteer
There’s more variety than most people expect. Here are a few volunteer areas to consider:
Company and connection
The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme is a federally funded program that matches volunteers with older people who are socially isolated — either in aged care homes or living at home with a Support at Home package. It’s usually about one hour a fortnight, doing whatever you both enjoy: a chat, a cuppa, cards, a walk. The scheme runs through roughly 130 community organisations nationally.
Food and essentials
Meals on Wheels, Foodbank, OzHarvest, local food pantries and community kitchens. Often early mornings, always sociable, and you go home knowing precisely what you achieved.
Op shops and charity retail
Vinnies, Salvos, Red Cross, RSPCA and countless local shops. Great if you like people, chatting and a bit of gentle structure to your week.
The outdoors
Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare, “Friends of” park groups, community gardens. Fresh air, physical activity, and something visible to show for it.
Emergency and safety services
SES, rural fire brigades, surf lifesaving, coastguard. Serious training, serious commitment — and serious satisfaction.
Sport and clubs
Local footy, netball, bowls, cricket. Canteens, coaching, groundskeeping, or the club treasurer job nobody else wants.
Your professional skills
Board and committee roles, treasurer, grant writing, IT help, mentoring young people or new migrants. Charities pay a fortune for these skills when they have to buy them.
Animals
Shelters, wildlife rescue, foster caring and guide dog puppy raising are just a few options.
How to get started
- Work out what you want. Ask yourself three questions: What do I care about? How much time can I really give? Do I want to be around people, or would I rather work quietly? Be honest — a role that doesn’t suit you won’t last.
- Search the national database. GoVolunteer is run by Volunteering Australia and lets you search by location, cause and skill. Seek Volunteer is a good second stop.
- Or go local. Every state and territory has a volunteering peak body — Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering WA, and so on. You’ll find them all listed at volunteeringaustralia.org. Many capital cities and regions also have volunteer resource centres where a real person will sit down with you.
- Just ask. Your library, neighbourhood house, community centre, church, men’s shed, historical society or local council will almost certainly have something going. Walking in and asking still works.
- Start small. One shift. One morning a fortnight. See how it feels before you commit to being club secretary for the next decade.
A few practical things worth knowing
- Police checks are normal. Most roles involving vulnerable people require one — the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, for example, requires a National Police Check valid for three years. Many organisations arrange and pay for it. Some roles also need a Working with Children Check.
- You should be covered. Reputable organisations carry volunteer insurance. It’s fair to ask about it.
- Out-of-pocket costs. Ask upfront whether petrol or parking is reimbursed. Many organisations do.
- Training is provided. You’re not expected to arrive knowing everything.
- On JobSeeker and aged 55+? You may be able to meet your mutual obligation requirements through approved voluntary work — generally 30 hours a fortnight, or a combination of volunteering and paid work. Check with Services Australia first and use the Verification of Voluntary Work form (SU462). Don’t start and hope for the best.
- It’s okay to say no, or stop. Volunteering should add to your life, not become another obligation you resent. A good organisation will understand.
