Charity sector revenue hits record high as demand keeps growing

The 11^th edition of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC's) Australian Charities Report revealed an increase in charity sector revenue and staff.

The report drew on data contained in the Annual Information Statements submitted by 52,267 charities for the 12 months to June 30, 2024.

It revealed that the number of people employed by the sector was up by 70,000 on the previous year to more than 1.54 million people.

The sector now comprises 10.7 per cent of Australia’s workforce and employs more workers than the construction and manufacturing industries.

Sector revenue surged by 10.7 per cent to reach a record high of $222 billion.

ACNC commissioner Sue Woodward said the statistics demonstrated the significant contribution charities make.

“The charity sector is a powerhouse of good, bringing benefits to people and communities who need support,” she said.

“It is also an active economic contributor, with growth year on year.”

Sector under pressure

Woodward said the growth in the number of workers employed by the sector was matched by rising demand from Australians in need.

“The addition of more staff reflects sector growth, but it’s growth that is needed to try to match greater demand for services,” said Woodward.

“Many parts of the sector, including foodbanks and crisis accommodation services as just a couple of examples, are consistently reporting that cost of living pressures are driving higher demand, sometimes stretching capacity to the point where, sadly, people seeking help have to be turned away.”

Show me the money

Commenting on the surge in charity revenue, Woodward was at pains to point out that the operating environment for many organisations was still challenging.

She said in the previous reporting period, efforts to address demand amid the cost-of-living crisis had negatively affected charities, with expenses outstripping revenue.

Woodward said in a significant turnaround detailed in the current report, the rise in revenue was greater than the rise in expenses, which grew 8.4 per cent to $212 billion.

Staff costs were the largest cost type, accounting for more than half of total expenses (55 per cent).

When it came to donations and bequests, the report confirmed that not all charities are equal, with about 40 per cent of all contributions going to just 30 charities.

Donations comprised about 40 per cent of revenue earned by extra small charities (those earning $50,000) compared to just six per cent for those deemed extra-large (earning more than $100 million).

The report revealed total donations and bequests jumped by $5 billion to $18.9 billion.

However, the increase was almost entirely due to a $4.9 billion donation to the Minderoo Foundation group – the largest single gift ever reported to the ACNC.

Aside from that, there was little increase, with donations increasing just 0.4 per cent, or $54 million.

Volunteers step up

The report found volunteers are the backbone of the charity sector, with 2.4 volunteers for every employee.

More than half (52 per cent) of all charities had no paid staff; for extra small organisations that figure was nearly 90 per cent.

The number of volunteers increased by 270,000 to 3.77 million nationwide, a result welcomed by Woodward.

“This is really pleasing. It’s close to the highest number of volunteers [which was] recorded in the sixth edition of the report, which covered 2018,” she said.

More information

Records tumble in latest ACNC Australian Charities Report

Australians more generous to the tune of $676 million: ACNC Report