Every year, millions of Australians give their time freely — and every year, that generosity quietly holds our communities together.

Volunteering matters — for all of us

Volunteering is one of the most powerful things a person can do. Across Australia, more than 6 million people volunteer each year, contributing skills, time and care that would cost billions to replace. But the real value goes beyond economics. Volunteering builds connection. It reduces social isolation. It gives people purpose — and it makes communities more resilient, more compassionate and more capable.

From supporting disaster relief to mentoring young people, from delivering meals to helping someone read — volunteers are the backbone of a generous, functioning society.

Volunteering in Western Australia

WA is one of the most active volunteering states in the country. From emergency services to education, sport to community support — Western Australians show up. That culture of generosity is something to be genuinely proud of, and National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to say so.

Read Write Now – Built by volunteers — for nearly 50 years

Read Write Now has been changing lives across Western Australia since the late 1970s. Nearly five decades. And here is the truth at the heart of that story: none of it would exist without our volunteers.

From the very beginning, it has been ordinary Western Australians — giving an hour or two each week — who have made this organisation what it is. Volunteer tutors are not a support act for Read Write Now. They are Read Write Now. Every learner supported, every confidence built, every life changed traces back to a volunteer who showed up.

Today, around 450 volunteer tutors are active across WA every year — in city suburbs, regional towns and beyond. They come from every walk of life: retirees, professionals, students, parents, tradespeople. No teaching qualification needed. What they bring is patience, life experience and a genuine desire to help someone move forward.