Percentage of charities Australia FY 2019, by activity

Around 30 percent of registered charities in Australia identified religion as their main activity in 2019. Religious charities represented the largest share of the Australian charity sector, followed by charities with a focus on education and research. Social services and health hold third and fourth place in terms of their share of the charitable services sector, however, many religious charities such as St Vincent De Paul and the Salvation Army are regularly involved in activities that support other charitable sectors, such as social services and housing.

 How generous are Australians?

According to a nationally representative survey held in 2021, around 80 percent of Australians make financial contributions to charities, with over half giving multiple times per year. Despite these figures, the overall sum of donations to charities in Australia has not increased significantly in recent years, which is an ongoing concern for the long-term sustainability of the charitable sector. Adding to this uncertainty has been the coronavirus pandemic, putting more Australians in a position where they may be more cautious about their outgoing expenses.

 Alternatives to financial giving

Donating goods or volunteering are common alternatives to financial giving, although many people who make financial donations engage in various forms of charity. For many volunteers, their primary motivation is to give back to the community, but volunteering can also be beneficial for people wishing to gain experience for future employment opportunities or who a looking for a social outlet. This may be why volunteering is slightly more prevalent amongst young adults and retirees.