Economic and social value of UnitingCare Queensland

Deloitte Access Economics was commissioned by UnitingCare Queensland to develop a report examining the economic significance and contribution of the organisation to the Australian economy. Beyond traditional economic analysis, which does not fully capture the value generated by the organisation, the report analyses service efficiency, considers the longer-term benefits of its social services, and comments on its regional presence.

The analyisis found UnitingCare Queensland contributed $885 million directly to the Australian economy in ‘value added’ terms in 2012-2013. Including its indirect contribution, the total was $1.3 billion. The organisation contributed 9,821 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in 2012-2013, and including the indirect component, 13,343 FTE jobs to the economy.

However, the economic contribution of UnitingCare Queensland does not fully capture its value to society. Some services are provided on a free or subsidised basis, and provide positive longer-term benefits to both clients and society in general. An important social benefit of UnitingCare Queensland is that it helps communities and also provides volunteering opportunities. Using a wages-based estimate of value, volunteering across the whole organisation contributes around $29.3 million a year to Queensland.