Australians support one another at record levels as the national housing crisis, rising cost of living and international aid emerge in urgent donation drives.  

GoFundMe, the world’s leading fundraising platform, today revealed that Australians are supporting one another at record levels as the national housing crisis, rising cost of living and international aid emerge as key themes in urgent donation drives this year.  

“It is inspiring that Australian generosity continues to shine through despite economic uncertainty continuing to challenge most households,’ said GoFundMe Australia Regional Director Nicola Britton. 

These latest findings follow GoFundMe Australia’s announcement in October 2023 that 1 in 5 Australians have now made a donation on the platform, collectively donating 9.2 million times and raising $820 million AUD for local and international causes.  

The top giving trends on GoFundMe in 2023 were: 

• More than 1.4 million donations made to Australian fundraisers on GoFundMe in 2023; with the national housing crisis, rising cost of living and international aid emerging as key themes in urgent donation drives. 
• Cost of living crisis: A national housing crisis, layered on top of rising inflation and cost of living, led to a massive 196% increase in the number of fundraisers mentioning ‘cost of living’ and ‘rising cost of living’ in the last 12 months, compared with the 12 months prior. 
• International aid: Australians dug deep for a number of international crises in 2023: 

• More than $770,000 AUD has been donated to Turkey and Syria, Morocco and Afghanistan after these countries all experienced devastating and fatal earthquakes  
• Over $1.1 million AUD has been donated to support registered charities and organisations since the start of the Israel and Palestine conflict in October. 

• The largest GoFundMe fundraiser: In 2023, more than $1.95 million AUD was raised for the family of beloved Victorian jockey Dean Holland who died in a tragic riding accident, leaving behind his grieving partner and four young children. 
• The campaign organiser Tony Ottobre remarked: “The generosity shown towards this fund is extraordinary, we thank every individual person for their kindness” 
• Sport and competitions: The fastest-growing categories in 2023 were sports and competition with a 65% increase in fundraisers in these categories since December 2022. 
• Bundaberg was named the most generous city: Based on the number of donations per capita, followed closely by Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Mandurah and Bunbury in the top 5 spots. 

“The rising cost of living and national housing crisis are emerging as some of the most pressing issues for Australians, with a 196% increase in fundraisers referencing these deep-rooted and ongoing challenges.,” added Britton. 

“Though many more have needed to ask for help, in true Australian spirit donors have continued to dig deep and back their neighbours, friends and families in times of need.” 

GoFundMe’s report, Year in Giving 2023, revealed one donation was made every second globally to help people across the world and that Australia’s Most Generous Cities in 2023 were:  

• Bundaberg, QLD 
• Toowoomba, QLD 
• Hervey Bay, QLD 
• Mandurah, WA 
• Bunbury, WA 
• Mackay, QLD 
• Shepparton, VIC  
• Launceston, TAS 
• Ballarat, VIC 
• Tamworth, NSW