Kindness might feel soft, but in Australia right now, it’s powerful. According to Kind Collective’s 2025 Kindness Report, it’s officially the most valued quality in our communities – outranking honesty, respect, and fairness. One in three Australians place kindness as the number one community value, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the way. Even more heartening? Australians perform an average of nearly seven acts of kindness each week, with Australians with young children performing an even higher average of 7.5 acts weekly, and 94% say they’re likely to pay one forward after receiving one.
In other words, kindness is contagious – and Random Acts of Kindness Day (on February 17) is the perfect excuse to lean into it. Almost all respondents agree that experiencing kindness boosts mental health, creating a ripple effect that benefits both the giver and the receiver. Nearly two-thirds say the effect on wellbeing is significant.
For Kath Koschel, founder of the Kindness Factory and NSW Australian of the Year 2024, the reason to do so is deeply personal. “I believe I have experienced two things in large amounts: adversity and kindness,” she says. “It was through some tremendously difficult periods in my life that I felt and recognised the power of kindness. When I was well enough to see it, I felt compelled to spread as much of it as possible.”
So how can Aussies pay it forward in ways that feel achievable, meaningful, and genuinely human?
1. Lean into the small, everyday moments
The research shows that the most common acts of kindness aren’t grand gestures at all. Holding the door for someone (58%) and greeting a stranger (54%) top the list, followed by offering compliments (46%) and helping with tasks (36%). These are actions more than half of Australians practise weekly.
These moments might seem fleeting, but Kath knows just how profound they can be.
“When you’re in a wheelchair, and you can’t reach a lift button, and a random stranger sees your struggle and presses it for you… those moments are powerful,” she says. “And we never truly know how powerful they can be until we’re in a position like I was.”
2. Use your online space for good
Kindness doesn’t stop at the screen. Three-quarters of Gen Z and Millennials report seeing kindness online, with one in five saying it happens often, and 77% of younger Australians say strangers have shown them kindness in the past month, compared to 66% of older Australians. Many say witnessing kindness online inspires them to act more kindly themselves.
This Random Acts of Kindness Day, consider using your platform – no matter how big or small – to share a positive message, spotlight someone doing good, or simply remind others that kindness still exists. In a digital world that can feel loud and divisive, even one thoughtful post can shift the tone.
3. Give time, resources, or support where you can
While 65% of Australians say being kind comes naturally, younger people and parents of young children report significant barriers due to stress, financial pressures, and social anxiety. Men, particularly young men, are nearly twice as likely as women to find being kind a challenge day to day (30% vs 16%). That’s where community support becomes essential.
Volunteering locally, donating what you can, or checking in on someone who might be struggling are all ways to lighten that load. As Kath puts it, “Kindness must start with our kids, as they are our future.” The report shows that three in four parents of young children prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate kindness, highlighting the link between personal values and consumer behaviour. The earlier kindness is modelled and taught, the more naturally it grows.
4. Turn everyday purchases into acts of kindness
Finally, Random Acts of Kindness Day is a chance to align values with action. Two in three Australians say they are more likely to buy from brands that demonstrate kindness toward people, animals, or the planet. Kindness is increasingly shaping consumer decisions, with younger Australians and parents leading the trend. Supporting businesses that give back, choosing products made with care (every single Kind Collective beauty product is cruelty free, 100% vegan & PETA accredited), or sharing a treat with someone can transform ordinary transactions into meaningful gestures.
Because while one day can spark a movement, it’s the everyday acts – small, sincere, and shared – that keep it alive. After all, only 3% of Australians never perform acts of kindness, while nearly half report doing between one and five each week, showing that kindness is now a regular part of everyday life.
