A major new report from the Community Council for Australia (CCA), working with Piazza Research, has been released in the run up to the Federal Election.

A sample of over 4,600 representative voters were polled about a range of issues.  The survey has revealed there is deep concern about what is happening to charities on a national and local level. 

CCA CEO David Crosbie says the trend is for Australia to become a more inward looking, selfish country (less people giving and volunteering) and that charities need and deserve much more support from governments, funders and the community. 

The new survey released today – The Community Perception Survey (Charities) – reveals there is widespread support for local MPs to achieve key charity sector goals. David Crosbie said:

• 92% of people said it is now time charities had the staff, volunteers and capacity to offer better services to the community.
• 92% of people said it is vital to make it much easier for people to actually give to charities and said major reforms are needed to do this.
• 91% want experienced and knowledgeable charities to be in the Government’s planning or policy priorities.
• 91% of those surveyed said they wanted to see productivity and support boosted.
• 86% of the people in the survey say the new Federal Government should appoint a Minister to look after charities.

David Crosbie said, “It’s very clear that in marginal electorates, voter support for election candidates is partly about their engagement with charities and support for positive charity policies.”

“The bottom line is the vast majority of our charities are underfunded and cost of living issues are impacting on local charities and community groups in a huge way.  Charities also face massive amounts of red tape.”

“Without doubt, it’s got harder and harder for local charities.  Across the sector income has risen by just 8% but staffing costs alone have gone up by at least 11%.  Charities are facing bigger and bigger costs to do their business and unlike small business there is no support for cybersecurity, staff skills development, energy transition, research and development, data use and privacy, capital investment in infrastructure and capacity, or climate change adaptation.”

“Although charities employ over 10% of Australia’s workforce, engage over 3.5 million volunteers, and turn over more than $200 billion (8% of Australia’s GDP), there is no government department to promote charity productivity, no charity ombudsman, not one Federal official outside of the charities regulator whose job is to monitor and promote the sector.”

“Charities matter to our communities, to our economy, to our productivity and wellbeing, but our issues are not taken seriously, and that needs to change.”

“For most marginal electorates that were surveyed, up to 66% of electors are much more likely to vote for a candidate who can improve government policy for charities.  It is important to note, 51% of undecided voters say this issue would influence the way they vote.”

David Crosbie added, “It is very clear from the survey that voters expect to see a stronger collaboration between Government and charities.  The vast majority of electors (between 87% to 99%) believe it is vital that their MP encourages the Australian Government to work much more closely with charities.”

“On top of this, 65% to 80% of people in the survey want their MP to meet with charity sector representatives.  Obviously, voters believe we can do so much better.”

“These compelling findings clearly demonstrate that in Australia’s marginal electorates, charity policy and the involvement of MPs are absolutely significant factors influencing voters’ decisions.  It is clear too that candidates who are very proactive in supporting the charity sector will improve their standing amongst voters – especially swing voters.”

David Crosbie added, “Unfortunately one of the very real problems in the charity sector is organisations tend to advocate for their cause and their purpose (the communities they serve) rather than advocating for themselves or their sector.”

The Community Council for Australia (CCA) is an independent non-political member-based organisation supporting charities and the not-for-profit sector in Australia.

Read the full report:  Community Perceptions Survey (Charities) March 2025, Piazza Research