What does generosity look like in Australia today? The 2025 Australia Giving Report, part of the World Giving Report by Workplace Giving Australia and the Charities Aid Foundation, offers a timely snapshot of how Australians engage with giving—financially, with their time, and through everyday acts of kindness.
This year’s findings highlight a nation deeply committed to supporting causes close to home, yet also reveal opportunities to amplify our impact.
Two-thirds of Australians (67%) donated money in 2024—higher than both the global (64%) and Oceania (66%) averages. Yet, the proportion of income donated remains lower than the global benchmark, at just 0.73% compared to 1.04% worldwide. This suggests a strong culture of participation but a need to increase the depth of giving for sustained social impact.
Similarly, 20% of Australians volunteered in 2024, fewer than the global average (26%). However, those who do volunteer are remarkably committed, giving more time (9.4 hours on average) than their global peers.
Australians are most likely to give to registered charities (56%), with less inclination toward direct giving to individuals (24%) or religious organisations (15%). Trust is highest in local and regional charities, and donors value proximity and transparency. International charities fare worse, with only 14% of Australians rating them as “very trustworthy”.
This reflects a strong preference for supporting communities and causes Australians can see and connect with—homelessness, health, and children’s welfare were among the most popular causes in 2024.
The report surfaces a key barrier to giving: trust. A significant portion of Australians (21% of non-donors) cite concerns over how charities use funds, and 44% say knowing how their donations are spent would encourage them to give more.
As cost-of-living pressures intensify, affordability remains a critical factor. Nearly half (49%) of respondents said having more disposable income would increase their giving.
While Australians are generous in responding to crises such as bushfires and floods, the report notes this high-profile giving may overshadow the need for regular, structured contributions. Workplace giving programs, monthly donations, and storytelling that highlights tangible local impact could help shift occasional donors into lifelong supporters.
As Nikki Kinloch, CEO of Workplace Giving Australia, notes in the report’s introduction:
“Australia’s generosity is deeply rooted in care for causes close to home, and the opportunity is to grow its depth and impact.”
The 2025 Australia Giving Report invites us to reflect on how we give and how we can collectively build a stronger culture of philanthropy that empowers communities nationwide.
Read the full Australian country-level report here.