By Sienna Hanton
Organisations across Queensland have called for support as volunteering numbers reduce across the state.
In late 2025, Queensland Parliament’s Local Government, Small Business, and Customer Service Committee tabled its inquiry into volunteering in the state.
The inquiry found that, from 2020 to 2023, volunteering participation decreased from 75.7% of Queenslanders to 64.3%, a loss of approximately 200,000 volunteers.
The Chief Commissioner of Scouts Queensland, Geoff Doo, said the organisation has not been immune to the loss of volunteers post-COVID.
Last month, Scouts Queensland launched its new campaign, “Meet the Other You”, aimed at adult volunteers.
Mr Doo said the organisation needs more adults to reduce the “missing out lists” for scouts and to “actually support the delivery of the program.”
Scouts’ submission to the committee inquiry focused on the obstacles to adults volunteering, citing insurance difficulties and changing child safety legislation.
“This is the first formal promotional campaign that we’ve had specifically focusing on recruiting adult volunteers,” Mr Doo said.
Gabriela, a helper at Emmanuel City Mission, a daytime sanctuary for people experiencing homelessness or hardship in Brisbane, said volunteering is “crucial” because the organisation receives no government support.
The Mission has a breakfast and lunch service, an op shop, and provides sleeping materials for those in need.
She said The Mission has not seen a reduction in volunteers, because it was “super easy to get involved.”
“The organisation is depending on volunteers, through all of the areas.”
Gabriella said the organisation generally finds volunteers from word of mouth, and through schools and businesses.A December 2025 media release from volunteering minister Ann Leahy said the government supports the inquiry’s recommendations.
The inquiry recommends that the government establishes “a dedicated Ministerial Advisory Panel for volunteering.”
Mr Doo said this is already underway, as “we’re having a conversation with the right people within her department to endeavour to get scouting represented on that advisory panel.”
Mr Doo continued, stating that scouts hold a significant voice in Queensland volunteering.
“We should be able to provide you [Minister Leahy] with some advice about the impacts on volunteers,” he said.
The Government is currently developing a ten-year action plan to address the inquiry findings.
