The Youth Report - State of Australian People report came out recently and although it covers a number of different areas from education, work, social participation and technology use, I would like to share certain details from the report.

I will mention details relating to young people and volunteering as I know I have heard many similar and varied views on this and some of these have been reinforced, at least from the perspective of the report (although one must consider the scope and coverage research undertaken for the report and it would generally only provide a snapshot of our community).

Here are the interesting facts (some may surprise you while others mightn't):

• One in third young people volunteer within a 12 month period, however, they do so infrequently.
• Those most likely to volunteer are: women, those in education or paid work, those who completed Year 12, those who live outside of major cities, those who speak English at home, and those who give money to charity.
• Reasons young people give for volunteering include: to help others or the community, personal satisfaction, to do something worthwhile, and personal or family reasons.
• Young people do not believe that compulsory programs qualify as volunteering, and many feel exploited and stigmatised by them.