How to Build a High-Impact Volunteer Program in Government: A Practical 5 Step Guide Backed by Data

Why Volunteerism Matters to Government

Volunteering is the quiet engine behind many of Australia’s most vital community services. From emergency response and environmental conservation to mental health and aged care, volunteers provide over 489.5 million hours of unpaid support annually — a figure that underpins not only economic resilience but also social cohesion (Volunteering Australia, 2023).

For government leaders, volunteer programs offer a unique opportunity: to extend public services, foster civic pride, and build community resilience—especially in an era where budgets are tight and expectations are high.

The State of Volunteering in Australia

• 6.8 million Australians volunteer formally or informally (Volunteering Australia, 2023)
• In 2020, total volunteer hours dropped by 34% compared to 2014, down to 489.5 million. (Volunteering Australia Key Statistics Report, 2024)
• Youth participation is declining, with volunteers aged 18–24 among the least likely to engage. (General Social Survey, ABS, 2021)
• Volunteer longevity is high — 42% of Australians have volunteered for over a decade.(AIHW, 2022)
• 88.7% of long-term volunteers (294+ hours per year) continue volunteering year after year. (Volunteering Strategy Consultation Paper, 2023)
  
  

The Challenges Governments Must Tackle

• Volunteerism is under pressure — and that has consequences for government programs that rely on it.
• Post-COVID Fatigue: Many volunteers haven’t returned since the pandemic. (Volunteering Australia, 2023)
• Burnout in regional Australia: Some towns rely entirely on volunteers, risking collapse. (The Guardian, 2021)
• Cost-of-living pressures are deterring even the most committed emergency volunteers. (Daily Telegraph, 2023)
• Administrative burden on council staff can stall volunteer engagement.
• Lack of data systems makes it hard to track volunteer impact.

The 5-Step Framework: Building a Volunteer Program That Works

Here’s a practical roadmap for public sector leaders to build—or rebuild—a high-impact volunteer initiative.

Step 1: Align with Community Priorities
Tip: Start with a needs analysis using local data (council reports, Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS, consultations).
Ask: What are the key challenges our community is facing that volunteers could help solve?
Example: A rural council identifies isolation in older adults as a top issue. It launches a volunteer companion program coordinated with local services.

Research shows that communities with active volunteer programs experience higher levels of citizen engagement and community cohesion. Volunteerism not only fosters meaningful connections and promotes general wellbeing, but also provides pathways to employment through skills development and valuable networking opportunities.

In this white paper, we explore why cities and local government organisations should consider adopting a centralised volunteer management model. 

Step 2: Design for Impact, Not Just Activity
Tip: Use a logic model or impact framework to set goals that matter:
e.g., “Improve food security for 500 households by June 2026.”
Tools: Volunteering Australia’s National Strategy for Volunteering (2023)
NSW Office of Social Impact Measurement Tools

The Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHF) enhanced volunteer engagement using Rosterfy, automating onboarding, compliance checks, and shift tracking across 8+ programs. With a 75% attendance target and deep reporting capabilities, CHF now aligns volunteer efforts with patient impact.

Learn how CHF designs for impact, not just activity — read the full case study here.

Step 3: Embrace Smart Technology
Tip: Streamline recruitment, onboarding, and communication with digital platforms.

• Automated role matching
• Easy background check integration
• Impact tracking dashboards
• Centralised volunteer recruitment and onboarding with Rosterfy

Real-World Example:
The British Heart Foundation grew to 6,000+ compliant volunteers while reducing admin by 75% with digital systems saving approximately $380,000 AUD per year thanks to streamlining admin processes and improving data accessibility. Visit Case Study here

Step 4: Diversify and Sustain Volunteer Pipelines
Tip: Tailor strategies for different demographics:
Youth: Offer micro-volunteering or skills-based opportunities that provide flexibility, making it easier for younger volunteers to contribute meaningfully to your organisation.
Culturally Diverse Communities: Co-design programs with local leaders
Corporate Volunteers: Partner with local employers for group volunteering days

Visit our white paper on How to create a successful  and sustainable corporate volunteer program that supports your goals here

• Hours contributed
• Community members supported
• Skills gained
• Public service improvements

Rosterfy helps you automate more of your manual tasks and easily manage a rewarding experience for your volunteers to keep them coming back. See how here


Conclusion: From Civic Spirit to Scalable Impact
Volunteerism is not just a “nice to have”—it’s a force multiplier for public services, especially in regional and under-resourced areas.

But to unlock its full potential, governments must treat volunteering as a strategic function: data-informed, community-driven, and future-focused.

By following this guide, your department or agency can build a volunteer program that not only works—but lasts.

About Rosterfy
Rosterfy is the leading volunteer management software provider, dedicated to helping organisations streamline their volunteer programs and maximise engagement. Trusted by non-profits, hospitals, healthcare charities, sports organisations, and major events worldwide, Rosterfy offers powerful solutions for managing volunteers efficiently.

Trusted by leading organisations like Brisbane City Council, South Australian Government, City of Parramatta, Auckland Council, Cancer Council, and the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Rosterfy helps scale volunteer programs with confidence. Speak to our Team