Tuesday, 22 September 2026
New Independent Report Confirms: Men’s Sheds Are Essential Community Infrastructure
VMSA is proud to release “An Independent Evaluation of the Contribution of Men’s Sheds to Victoria,” a new report commissioned from Curtin University. It’s the strongest evidence base we’ve ever had for the value Men’s Sheds bring to their members, their local communities and the Victorian economy, and it’s ready for you to use.
View the summary of the report here
Why this report matters
Every Shed knows, from lived experience, what a Shed means to its members and its town. This report puts independent, statewide evidence behind that experience. Men’s Sheds are essential community infrastructure that strengthens connection, participation and local communities, and now we can show it, clearly and credibly, to anyone who needs convincing.
What the report found
The evaluation draws on two statewide surveys, with 214 and 149 responding Sheds respectively, alongside Curtin University’s longitudinal research with Men’s Shed members in Western Australia. Key findings include:
- Health promotion: more than 80% of responding Victorian Sheds run health information sessions for members.
- Support through hard times: of 76 Sheds responding to a question on major life challenges, 98% were at least somewhat confident their Shed had helped members through health crises, bereavement, family loss or trauma.
- Inclusion: Victorian Sheds report substantial inclusion of people living with disability, veterans, migrants and refugees, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
- Community mobilisation: Sheds regularly support schools, early childhood services, aged care, charities, sporting clubs and many other local organisations.
- Economic contribution: an estimated $5.8 million in annual direct expenditure across Victoria’s roughly 360 Sheds.
- Volunteer effort: across the 149 Sheds analysed, volunteering totalled an estimated 384,420 hours a year, equivalent to around 185 full time positions, valued at between $7.7 million and $17.3 million.
Importantly, the report is upfront about its limits: it didn’t directly measure individual member health outcomes in Victoria. For that, it draws on Curtin’s WA longitudinal research, the best comparable evidence available from the same national movement, alongside strong Victorian evidence on health promotion, inclusion, participation, volunteering and support during difficult times. VMSA believes future investment should fund dedicated Victorian member level outcome measurement, to build the evidence base further.
Independent expert endorsement
The findings have also been endorsed by Dr Mukesh Haikerwal AC — General Medical Practitioner, Honorary Enterprise Professor at the University of Melbourne, and Acting CEO of Brain Injury Australia. He described Men’s Sheds as delivering a “massive dividend” in health and wellbeing for a “very modest investment,” calling the program “a shining example of community activity, support and the power of social cohesion and volunteerism.”
Read Dr Mukesh Haikerwal AC’s full letter of endorsement
What VMSA is asking for
Backed by these findings, VMSA is seeking a four year funding commitment of at least $12 million from the Victorian Government, comprising $3 million a year, indexed, to:
- boost infrastructure, accessibility, safety and major equipment funding;
- establish a new operational sustainability funding stream;
- secure statewide sector development, governance and support through VMSA; and
- fund dedicated Victorian member level health, wellbeing and community outcome measurement.
The scale and contribution of more than 300 Sheds across the state warrant a stronger, secure four year commitment, not year to year uncertainty.
A campaign for the 2026 election: non-partisan, on the record
During the 2026 Victorian election period, VMSA has run a public, non-partisan communications campaign built on this report. We are:
- seeking clear funding commitments from all parties and candidates;
- encouraging local Sheds to brief candidates and engage local media; and
- publishing written responses transparently, using neutral, pre-announced criteria.
Every party and candidate will be approached on equal terms. This campaign advocates for Men’s Sheds and their communities. It will not tell members or the public how to vote.
How your Shed can use this report
This report belongs to every Shed in Victoria, and we encourage you to put it to work locally:
- Share it with your local council and local government representatives.
- Use it in conversations with your local MP or election candidates.
- Quote the key figures in local media, newsletters or community presentations.
- Point your community to the evidence when talking about what your Shed contributes.
Thank you for everything you do. This report is, ultimately, a reflection of your work.
Victorian Men’s Shed Association
