Monday May 18 to Sunday May 24 2026, communities across Australia will come together to celebrate National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.
This year’s theme is Your Year to Volunteer, an encouragement to make 2026 a year of meaningful involvement, in ways that work for them and honouring the service of Australian volunteers. With rising living costs changing how people engage, volunteering is essential to community wellbeing, from coaching kids’ sport and supporting fundraisers to contributing skills online and helping out a neighbour.
For community radio, volunteers are the heart of what is heard on air, activities behind the scenes and within local communities. Community broadcasting continues to thrive because of the dedication, skills and passion of volunteers across the sector.
Nominate your station volunteer for the 2026 CBAA Most Valuable Volunteer competition.
The Nomination form: https://www.tfaforms.com/5222471
The winner receive a scholarship to attend the CBAA Conference 2026, this year to be held in Geelong, Victoria from 22-24 October, including:
- conference registration
- accommodation
- a $400 travel allowance available through reimbursement.
Entries are also now open for the CBAA Awards that are held immediately following the Conference. Full details, including category information and entry requirements, are available via the CBAA Conference website’s Awards page: https://conference.cbaa.org.au/awards.
“Community broadcasting simply would not exist without volunteers,” said Jon Bisset, CEO of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. “From presenters and producers to technicians, trainers and board members, volunteers are the heartbeat of our sector. They create opportunities for people to connect, share stories and strengthen community life in every part of the country.”
“This year’s theme, ‘Your Year to Volunteer’, is a reminder that community broadcasting offers a place for everyone to get involved,” Bisset said.
“Roadmap 2033, our sector’s long-term plan to ensure community broadcasting remains at the heart of every community, recognises that investing in and growing our volunteer workforce is critical to meeting the evolving needs of communities across Australia. Our volunteers reflect the diversity and passion of the communities they serve, and their contribution continues to make community media one of Australia’s most trusted and valued local platforms.”
With one in three Australians reporting feelings of loneliness, many are seeking more than just digital interaction. They are looking for “their people”, those who share their values and outlook on life.
Recent data commissioned by not-for-profit organisation Orange Sky shows that 33% Australian volunteers continue showing up because of the positive boost to their own mental wellbeing and the social ties formed during each volunteer shift. While the intentions of community service remain selfless, these insights suggest many volunteers are also gaining significant benefit, finding that volunteering is a gateway to deep, consistent friendships.
CEO of Volunteering Australia, Mark Pearce, says volunteers are “still stepping forward” despite rising commitments and pressures, “which speaks volumes about the commitment to the community and supporting people in need,” but there is also Continuous growing demand for all volunteer services.
9.5 million people volunteered across Australia in 2025, in either formal or informal volunteering or both.
More than 18,100 volunteers contribute their time, skills and passion to community radio stations in metropolitan, regional and remote communities, supporting more than 500 radio services and stations across the country and helping deliver trusted local news, diverse voices, specialist music and emergency information to more than 5.39 million Australians each week.