Within the context of Australia's rapidly ageing population, this paper argues that there is a need to consider the positive contributions made by older people through their volunteer and civic engagement activities. There is a strong civil society tradition in Australia, and a growing body of evidence that demonstrates that older Australians contribute both as volunteers and more informally to their families, their peers, and their communities. Older Australians are active volunteers across a range of organizations, and contribute more time than other age group. Yet there are few policies and very few programs in Australia that promote and support volunteering amongst older people, despite the associated health benefits. There are also significant barriers to volunteering that require attention if these benefits are to be made available to a broader and more diverse group of older Australians.

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