Employment

Volunteer work

About this topic

Volunteer work records whether people aged 15 years and over spent time doing voluntary work through an organisation or group in the previous 12 months. It is a measure of formal volunteering, not all informal help between neighbours, family, or friends.

This topic can indicate community participation, social connectedness, and the capacity of local organisations to attract volunteers. The 2021 Census should be interpreted carefully because COVID-19 restrictions reduced volunteering activity in many places.

Interpretation notes

  • The Census counts voluntary work through an organisation or group, so it excludes informal help given outside formal organisations.
  • The question refers to the previous 12 months for people aged 15 years and over.
  • 2021 volunteering levels were affected by COVID-19 restrictions in many places, so change over time needs care.

Key insight

In 2021, not volunteering was the most common response among residents aged 15 and over in Southern Midlands (M), accounting for 76.3% (4,214 people). This share was similar to Regional Tas. (76.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in not volunteering, which increased by 729 people and 5.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Volunteer work

Southern Midlands (M) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises volunteer work for Southern Midlands (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.

Volunteer work snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Southern Midlands (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..

Southern Midlands (M)
Regional Tas.

Total Volunteer

2021 count

852

% of total

15.4%

Change from 2016

-4.3pp

Total Not A Volunteer

2021 count

4,214

% of total

76.3%

Change from 2016

+5.4pp

Total Voluntary Work Not Stated

2021 count

455

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Data table

Volunteer work for Southern Midlands (M). Volunteer work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..

Volunteer work for Southern Midlands (M). Volunteer work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
Volunteer work for Southern Midlands (M). Volunteer work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Tas.%Count%Regional Tas.%Countpp
Total Volunteer85215.4%17.5%96719.7%21.5%-115-4.3pp
Total Not A Volunteer4,21476.3%76.2%3,48570.9%69.9%+729+5.4pp
Total Voluntary Work Not Stated4558.2%6.3%4579.3%8.6%-2-1.1pp
Total5,520100.0%100.0%4,915100.0%100.0%+6050.0pp