The 2026 National Volunteering Conference opened with an address from Volunteering Australia Chair Emeritus Professor Michael Drew, who challenged delegates to rethink how volunteering is understood and valued across Australia.
The address explored a central question for the sector: if volunteering is so essential to the functioning of our communities, why is it still so often treated as optional?
Professor Drew called for volunteering to be recognised not as a charitable add-on, but as vital social infrastructure that strengthens resilience, supports the growing care economy, and helps communities thrive in an increasingly complex world.
More than 400 delegate from across the volunteering ecosystem gathered in Adelaide on Kaurna Country and online for the 2026 National Volunteering Conference, exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of volunteering.
Across three days of keynote presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and networking events, volunteer managers, researchers, policymakers, community leaders, and volunteers came together to share ideas, build new connections, and engage in conversations about how volunteering can continue to strengthen communities in a changing world.
Key themes from the conference
A consistent message throughout the conference was that volunteering is fundamental to strong, connected communities. Discussions reinforced the importance of recognising volunteering not as an optional extra, but as essential community infrastructure that helps communities thrive.
Delegates explored how volunteer experiences can be more flexible, inclusive, and meaningful. Discussions highlighted the importance of creating opportunities that support belonging, connection, and participation while reducing unnecessary barriers to volunteering.
Conversations throughout the conference acknowledged the growing pressures facing Volunteer Managers, community organisations, and volunteers themselves.
Discussions highlighted the importance of investing in leadership, wellbeing, and sustainable practices that support both volunteers and the people who coordinate and lead volunteering programs.
Technology and artificial intelligence featured strongly across the program, with a focus on how digital tools can support volunteer engagement, recruitment, and administration.
Delegates explored how technology can reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency while ensuring that human relationships, trust, and community connection remain at the centre of volunteering.
Sessions focusing on young people highlighted the opportunities to build a stronger culture of volunteering for future generations.
Discussions explored how organisations can create meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute, lead, and shape the future of volunteering through flexible, inclusive, and accessible approaches.
Delegates discussed moving beyond traditional measures such as volunteer hours to better capture outcomes including belonging, wellbeing, confidence, community participation, and social connection. Storytelling, evidence, and impact measurement were highlighted as increasingly important tools for demonstrating the value of volunteering.
Corporate volunteering continues to shift towards deeper partnerships and shared value. Delegates explored approaches that align community needs, employee engagement, and long-term impact while recognising the value of skilled volunteering and sustainable partnerships.
As regulatory requirements continue to evolve, discussions explored how organisations can create safe, accountable environments while ensuring compliance processes do not create unnecessary barriers to participation.
Several sessions explored the broader culture of giving and participation. Time, skills, advocacy, philanthropy, and community leadership were all recognised as important expressions of generosity that contribute to stronger communities.
Across the conference, organisations discussed the need to remain responsive in a rapidly changing environment. Collaboration, innovation, new models of engagement, and adaptive leadership were identified as key to ensuring volunteering continues to thrive into the future.
A shared vision for the future
While discussions covered a diverse range of topics, one message remained consistent throughout the conference: volunteering must continue to evolve while remaining grounded in what matters most, people, connection, belonging, and community.
As communities face changing social, economic, and technological realities, the sector has an opportunity to reimagine volunteering in ways that are more inclusive, flexible, sustainable, and impactful.
Looking ahead
Across the conference, one message stood out: volunteering continues to evolve, but its value remains constant.
As communities face changing social, economic, and technological realities, the sector has an opportunity to reimagine volunteering in ways that are more inclusive, flexible, sustainable, and impactful.
The conversations held throughout the conference reinforced a shared commitment to ensuring volunteering remains at the heart of Australian communities, now and into the future.
Thank you to the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, online participants, and delegates whose insights, expertise, and commitment helped make the event such a success.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online. Together, we continue to strengthen and reimagine volunteering in Australia.
Thank you to our National Volunteering Conference Partners and Sponsors
