In Austria, volunteering is highly valued as a meaningful way to contribute to society. According to the latest Volunteer Report (Freiwilligenbericht 2022), almost half (49%) of young people aged 15 to 29 engage in volunteer activities. This figure is similar to the overall rate among the population aged 15 and over, with almost half of Austrians participating in volunteering activities. Their involvement includes formal activities within organisations and clubs, as well as informal, non-institutionalised support, such as neighbourhood assistance or helping friends and family. There are also significant overlaps between these two forms of engagement.

To promote volunteering, the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz) ensures attractive framework conditions. The legal basis is provided by the Federal Act on the Promotion of Volunteering/Volunteering Act (Bundesgesetz zur Förderung von freiwilligem Engagement/Freiwilligengesetz). It regulates, among other things, programmes such as the Voluntary Social Year, the Environmental Protection Year and the Memmorial Service and Peace and Social Service Abroad. The Act entered into force in 2012 and was last amended in 2018.

The Freiwilligenweb Website (German only) by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection provides all relevant information to (prospective) volunteers.