Policy context

Young people’s involvement in volunteering is an important wellbeing indicator as it provides many benefits for young people such as fostering selflessness and confidence, offering diverse experiences, building connections, increasing community involvement and forming friendships.¹

Volunteering is one way for children and young people to develop their prosocial skills as it provides the opportunity to care for others, show kindness and learn to take on others' perspectives.² Recent study findings from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children also indicate that having a positive connection to the community through volunteering can be a strong prevention against mental ill health.³