The Albanese Labor Government is bolstering its support for the nation's volunteering sector with $9.5 million awarded through the 2024-25 Volunteer Grants round (Volunteer Grants) to help not-for-profit community organisations.
Each year the Volunteer Grants program provides up to $10 million in funding to community organisations which they can then use to support their volunteers through such things including the purchasing of small equipment items, training, and background screening checks.
For the first time this year, eligible community organisations were able to allocate their funding towards insurance premiums. This change helps successful organisations to better navigate rising operating costs and reduces out of pocket costs for volunteers.
A total of 3,892 successful community organisations will receive one-off funding of between $1,000 and $5,000 to use for things like:
- audio visual equipment for Returned Service League members to hold commemorative events
- radio communication devices for State Emergency Service volunteers, and
- sporting equipment to train local junior sports teams.
Examples of volunteer organisations include:
- Community organisations that support new parents
- Mental health support groups
- Local sporting clubs
- Multicultural community organisations.
These grants support the objectives of the National Strategy for Volunteering, a blueprint for the next 10 years that will enable volunteering in Australia to thrive.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 15 per cent of Australians report feelings of loneliness. Engaging in volunteer work and maintaining active memberships of sporting or community organisations are associated with reduced social isolation. That's why the Albanese Labor Government is bolstering supports.
