The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

Workplace Giving Program


Do you want to make a difference in the world, but don’t have the time or freedom to do it yourself? Workplace Giving Programs (WPG) enable Australian workers to contribute and make a difference to the charity of their choice - all within a simplified pre-tax contribution. Workplace Giving is a stable and recurring form of fundraising that contributes millions of dollars into charity organisations in Australia every year and its popularity continues to rise. 

Workplace Giving Australia, a national not for profit organisation developed to encourage and support businesses in establishing programs, believes that this trend will continue to rise because employers view this as an important part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. The organisation focuses their efforts on advocacy within government and industry sectors to educate employers on how to implement a successful program into their workplace. 

But it is more than just contributing money - Workplace Giving Programs have shown to improve staff engagement, empathy, motivation and a sense of purpose amongst employees.  For employers, implementing a Workplace Giving Program shows commitment to extending the business to embrace organisations in need and to create a culture that is supportive and socially responsible.  Increasingly employees are looking at what prospective employers are doing to create social impact and change. 

The importance of small regular donations - how you can help  

As an individual with responsibilities, your ability to donate may be curtailed by personal expenses, and that is totally understandable. We’re not asking for a life-changing ‘half your savings’ donation. Just a regular one. And it doesn’t have to be big.  Like bricklaying, each donation builds on another so with each repetition, it methodically grows. But more importantly it allows your charity to be able to predict and plan their expenses knowing they have a recurring income. This in turn, produces sustainable and consistent social impact.  

You can help and support an organisation you are truly passionate about. It also enables you to educate your fellow colleagues on why you support this organisation and how they can also support an organisation of choice.  Growing a culture of care in your workplace ensures that you and your co-workers can feel and see the difference they are creating through their program.  The more employees who engage in a Workplace Giving Program - the bigger the impact.  And if this is a consistent donation - i.e. every payday - then after a year - this can be a major impact.  Each personal donation is a drop in a bucket, but a Workplace’s collective donations are a bucket in an ocean.  

Adding all the Australian Workplaces together gives us a tidal wave of change.   

So your one small regular donation will achieve a world of difference. 

How to save tax - donations are pre-tax, reducing your taxable income.  

If you are still on the fence about WGP, then this will tip the scales. Tax is calculated on taxable income, by engaging a Workplace Giving Program and giving a donation pre-tax, you reduce your taxable income, thus reducing your tax. Additionally, instead of waiting until the end of the financial year to see how a donation can reduce your tax, a regular Workplace Giving Program enables you to reduce your tax at the time you are paid. 

In many Workplace Giving programs, employers match the staff donations, which doubles the total donation to your charity.  

Workplace Giving Programs are optional for the employee and are set up by the employer. If an employee wants to engage with the program, they require both their own and their employer’s agreement. An employee is only entitled to receiving a tax deduction from specifically tax-deductible charity organisations. Ensure that you have an open discussion between employer and employees regarding the charity’s cause and whether they are tax-deductible or not.  

Giving and receiving is the best kind of charity. 

Socially responsible activities create purpose  

Working for money is good, working for money and charity is great. Workplaces that have implemented a Workplace Giving Program have reported a boost in productivity. Staff are more engaged with their work and tend to stay longer in the roles, thus reducing the workplace’s staff turnover. Workplace morale is increased due to the workplace’s rising reputation that is associated with regular and repeated charity work.  

Employees like having a sense of pride in their workplace and employer.  In addition to the tax benefits that employees enjoy from the Workplace Giving Programs, employees that have benefited from these programs are more likely to become long-term advocates for similar implementation of these programs at future workplaces. 

Be the business that helps social change happen. 

How to set up a WGP with your employer?  

Setting up a Workplace Giving Program with your employer can be an uphill battle if they have never heard of it before. Therefore, the easiest way forward is to download a free DIY Guide to Workplace Giving, which would allow you to make a thorough presentation to your employer, about all the benefits and applications associated with the program. This will help you and your employer make a truly successful program, as each step is laid out in a simple and easy to follow format. There are a host of options for both existing staff and new employees to engage in a workplace giving program.  And it is a fantastic way to engage the staff as a group to give to an important cause.  

If you’re a larger company or franchise, your employer may struggle to meet or engage with every employee.  An ideal way to get the message out is to run a campaign to educate staff on how a Workplace Giving Program can make an impact. An internal campaign will give the key concepts and messages to the employees, and a few options that they can opt into or out of, along with the benefits. A number of organisations have workplace giving tips and ideas to keep the engagement high and make this program a long-lasting one.  

And the longer it lasts, the more it can help the world. 

Summary  

In Summary, Workplace Giving Programs are easy, cost-effective and fantastic ways to enhance company culture. They also build a foundation of financial support that help keep charities sustainable. Every single donor who gives regularly, provides support to programs that help the most desperate in need. 

You can achieve social and societal shifts within yourself and your workplace whilst also supporting a great charity. Bring change into your workplace and watch how it can create an impact in the world around you.  So what are you waiting for?

Property Times

What Is the Australian Government First Home Buyers Scheme About?

For many Australians, buying a first home can feel like a daunting task—especially with rising property prices, tight lending rules, and the challenge of saving for a deposit. To ease this burden, the Australian Government has introduced a First ...

Flipping vs. Holding: Which Investment Strategy Is Right for You?

Are you wondering whether flipping a property or holding onto it is the better investment strategy? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Both strategies have distinct advantages and risks, and choosing the right one depends on your financial goals, ...

A Guide to Smarter Real Estate Accounting: What You Might Be Overlooking

Real estate accounting can be a complex terrain, even for experienced investors and property managers. From tracking rental income to managing property expenses, the financial intricacies of real estate demand more than just basic bookkeeping. A si...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Food & Dining

Italian Street Kitchen: A Nation’s Favourite with Expansion News on Horizon

Successful chef brothers, Enrico and Giulio Marchese, weigh in on their day-to-day at Australian foodie favourite, Italian Street Kitchen - with plans for ‘ambitious expansion’ to be announced in the coming months.  Italian Street Kitchen: A slice o...

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand of chaos to Aussie shores with Après Skrew: a mash-up of alpine energy...

450 people queue for first taste of Pappa Flock’s crispy chicken as first restaurant opens in Queensland

Queenslanders turned out in flocks for the opening of Pappa Flock's first Queensland restaurant, with 450 people lining up to get their hands on the TikTok famous crispy crunchy chicken tenders. The highly anticipated opening comes after months of d...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banquets to Sydney’s first-ever Acquapole fitness classes and family fun gal...

Business Times

From Farms to Festivals: How Regional NSW Is Repurposing Shipping…

Regional NSW communities are repurposing containers for farms, tourism, and events Farmers and small businesses use them...

Nail it with points: Flybuys members can redeem points for instan…

Flybuys launches new in-store redemption at Bunnings stores across Australia Tuesday 19 August, 2025 – Flybuys, Australia’s ...

Understanding Energy Use Patterns by Season

Australia’s climate changes noticeably across the year. These seasonal changes don’t just affect what we wear or how we trave...

The Times Features

From Farms to Festivals: How Regional NSW Is Repurposing Shipping Containers

Regional NSW communities are repurposing containers for farms, tourism, and events Farmers and small businesses use them as cost-effective, flexible infrastructure Festivals ...

What a Mobile Speech Pathologist Really Does for Late Talkers

As a parent, it’s natural to keep a close eye on your child’s development. When your toddler isn’t using as many words as their peers, the internet can feel like a rabbit hole ...

Benefits of Tree Pruning for a Thriving Australian Garden

Tree pruning is an essential aspect of garden maintenance that often doesn't get the attention it deserves. It's a practice that involves the selective removal of certain parts...

What is psychosocial therapy? And why is the government thinking about adding it to Medicare for kids?

The government is considering new, bulk-billed health checks for three-year-olds, to pick up developmental concerns and refer kids that might need additional support. The de...

Detect Hidden Water Leaks Fast: Don’t Ignore Hot Water System Leaks

Detecting water leaks early is crucial for preventing extensive damage to your home. Among the various parts of a home’s plumbing system, hot water systems are particularly suscept...

Why do hamstring injuries happen so often and how can they be prevented?

In a recent clash against the Melbourne Storm, the Brisbane Broncos endured a nightmare rarely seen in professional sport — three players tore their hamstrings[1] in a single g...