As we move into May, National Volunteer Week is fast approaching, and is a time to celebrate and recognise the extraordinary contribution that volunteers make across the Northern Territory. During this important week, we are proud to host one of our most significant events of the year, the NT Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025.
We look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements of volunteers at two ceremonies: the Central Australia event will be held on Tuesday, 20 May in Alice Springs, and the Top End event will take place on Friday, 23 May in Darwin. This year's nominations have once again highlighted the exceptional dedication, passion and community spirit of volunteers across the Northern Territory. We also extend our sincere thanks to the nominators, whose generosity and commitment in recognising others demonstrate the true spirit of volunteering. Nominees and nominators can expect to receive their official invitations shortly, and we look forward to sharing these special celebrations with them.
In the lead-up to the Federal Election, Volunteering SA&NT proudly stands with Volunteering Australia in calling for greater investment in the future of volunteering. We are urging all political parties and candidates to commit to implementing the National Strategy for Volunteering, providing cost-of-living relief for volunteers, increasing funding for the Volunteer Management Activity, reforming volunteer insurance, and developing a National Volunteer Passport.
This election presents a pivotal moment to secure a thriving and sustainable future for volunteering. I encourage you to learn more and join us in ensuring the voice of volunteering is heard: Federal Election Platform 2025 - Volunteering Australia
Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to celebrating with many of you during National Volunteer Week as we recognise the volunteers who help to enrich and strengthen communities across the Northern Territory.
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
Get ready to find and share Volunteering Opportunities – New NT Platform Launching Soon!
You’ve been asking for it – we listened!
Get ready for the new, official, NT Volunteering Platform!
Volunteering NT has partnered with Freddymatch to create a platform where volunteers can find volunteering opportunities in the NT. If you’re an organisation looking for volunteers, then this is what you’ve been waiting for.
The official launch will happen at the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards at the end of May so watch this space for more information on how to get involved.
Federal Election Platform 2025
Volunteering SA&NT proudly stands with Volunteering Australia in calling on all political parties and candidates to invest in the future of volunteering.
Together, we are building a Volunteer Nation, one that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and sustains the vital work of volunteers across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Volunteering Australia is urging all political parties and candidates to commit to:
Implementing the National Strategy for Volunteering
Providing cost-of-living relief for volunteers
Increasing funding for the Volunteer Management Activity
Reforming volunteer insurance
Developing a National Volunteer Passport
This is a crucial moment to shape a strong and sustainable future for volunteering. Your voice can make a difference in the lead up to the Federal Election on Saturday 3 May 2025.
How you can help:
Contact candidates in your electorate to share why implementing the National Strategy for Volunteering is essential for a sustainable, thriving volunteer nation and stronger communities.
Share Volunteering Australia's Election Platform with your volunteers and networks, and post about the importance of volunteering on social media. A Communications Pack with key messages and social media tiles is available to assist.
Reach out to local media to share your story. Highlight how volunteering has positively impacted your life or community to raise awareness and inspire action.
Together, let’s ensure volunteering remains at the heart of Australian communities.
Connection with the Volunteering Community
Exciting news, Volunteering NT has partnered with YouthWorX NT to build stronger pathways for young people in the Northern Territory through volunteering. This collaboration aims to promote volunteering as a valuable step toward meaningful and sustainable employment.
We will also be attending the upcoming Greater Darwin Community Investment Committee meeting to introduce our new volunteering platform and strengthen connections with organisations committed to supporting young people’s futures across the NT.
We recently sat down with John Tate, a Senior Volunteer, to hear his inspiring story and experiences with COTA NT’s Seniors Voice initiative.
Twice a year, Volunteering SA&NT updates the volunteering dollar replacement hourly rate figure for South Australia, which is currently $49.53 per hour, and $50.30 per hour in the Northern Territory.
The replacement cost of a volunteer is calculated using the average ordinary hourly and seasonally adjusted full-time adult wage and then dividing it by the standard number of weekly working hours (37.5 hrs). We then add an additional 15% for the employer on-costs, which covers superannuation, payroll tax, and administrative expenses.
You can find the full summary here including comparisons from each state and territory. The next update will be in August 2025.
The Five Forces that are Changing Volunteering in Queensland Discussion Paper
Prompted by the declining volunteer rates identified in the State of Volunteering in Queensland 2024 report, Volunteering Queensland commissioned a discussion paper that explores the external factors contributing to the downturn in volunteering.
The paper outlines five key changes driving the global decline in volunteering:
Demographic shifts, including aging populations, increased diversity, and changing work patterns
Economic challenges, such as the rising cost of living and the costs of volunteering
Diminished sources of support, with decreasing funding and other resources
Eroding trust in institutions, undermining community support
Environmental changes, including more frequent natural disasters
Similar challenges being observed globally, as well as in other states and territories.
The paper underscores the broader implications for volunteering and calls for collective action to address these factors. Rather than proposing specific solutions, the discussion paper emphasises the urgent need for collaboration among stakeholders—governments, volunteer organisations, communities, and individuals—to recognise these trends and collaborate on sustainable solutions.
The Katherine Ultra Challenge on 3 August is a multisport event that requires over 40 volunteers for the day. From the swim in the gorge, trail runs and rides all through Nitmiluk National Park.
Disability support and language support are available. Find out more
Google Ad Grants
This program aims to attract donors, raise awareness for the organisation, and recruit volunteers with in-kind advertising on Google Search.
The benefits of the program are:
Raise awareness for the cause.
Drive more website views and activity.
Track non-profit marketing efforts.
Reach the people who need help.
USD10,000 worth of in-kind advertising from Google is available each month. No requirement to provide donor workout copy. The funds do not roll over if unused.
Please refer to the website for more information on how to apply.
Community Benefit Fund – Minor Community Grants Program
This program aims to improve the capacity of not-for-profit organisations to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities to Territorians. It is one of the funding streams of the Community Benefit Fund (CBF), which receives funds from a levy on electronic gaming machines in licensed hotels.
There is a wealth of helpful volunteering resources available to discover and share information within the sector. Explore our recommended volunteering resources to assist with best practice in volunteer management, recruitment and training of volunteers. Plus, resources for volunteers!
20 May 2025 | NT Volunteer Awards Ceremony - Central Australia
23 May 2025 | NT Volunteer Awards Ceremony - Top End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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About Volunteering SA&NT Volunteering SA&NT, established in 1982, is a not-for-profit organisation, the peak body for volunteering and a volunteer resource centre, leading the sector in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
We work with individuals, organisations, businesses and communities to lead, advance, grow, promote and celebrate volunteering, providing a range of services, support and resources for all volunteer involving organisations and over one million volunteers.
Adelaide Head Office L1/300 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000 EmailT 08 8221 7177
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