Australians are being challenged to help reach 10 million recorded acts of kindness by World Kindness Day on Friday 13 November, as national not-for-profit Kindness Factory launches a nationwide campaign to prove that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference.
With more than 8.5 million acts of kindness already recorded globally, Kindness Factory is calling on individuals, families, schools and communities to help close the gap by doing something kind and logging their act.
From checking in on a neighbour or including someone who’s feeling left out, to helping a stranger or simply offering a few encouraging words, every act counts.
Kindness Factory founder Kath Koschel, the 2025 NSW Australian of the Year, said World Kindness Day is an opportunity to remind Australians of the power of everyday kindness.
“We’ve recorded 8.5 million acts of kindness so far, and now we’re asking Australians to help us reach 10 million. Every kind act, whether for yourself or someone else, is a step towards bringing people together,” she said.
“Ten million is a big number, but it’s built on small moments. One moment in your day can change someone’s whole story.”
The search for Australia’s kindest school
At the heart of this year’s campaign is a national schools challenge to find Australia’s Kindest School, culminating in a National Free Dress Day on Friday 13 November.
Students across the country are being encouraged to perform and record acts of kindness using dedicated school Kindness Trackers, with schools and classes able to follow their progress and see how they compare nationally.
The challenge was brought to life at St Declan’s Catholic Primary School in Penshurst, Sydney, on Tuesday 13 October, where Koschel returned to her former primary school to encourage over 700 students to spread kindness.
Students created a colourful kindness wall filled with handwritten messages, demonstrating how simple acts of care and encouragement can make a difference in their school community.
Schools across Australia can register to take part, with the national tally and winning schools to be revealed on World Kindness Day.
Australia lights up for kindness
On World Kindness Day, iconic landmarks across Australia will illuminate in blue and green to show their support for a kinder, more connected country.
Participating locations include the Tasman Bridge in Hobart, Matagarup Bridge in Perth and Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, with further locations expected to be announced.
The national celebrations will also include an inaugural Kindness Factory evening event at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday 11 November. Hosted by Koschel, the event is expected to attract a VIP line-up of prominent Australians, supporters and community leaders ahead of World Kindness Day.
The evening will also see the announcement of the National Kindness Taskforce, bringing together leaders from government, education, health, research and the community to help tackle loneliness, strengthen social connection and make kindness a greater national priority. The Taskforce will work towards initiatives including a National Kindness Index and greater recognition of social and emotional learning in Australian schools.
A small act can make a big difference
Koschel said the campaign is about more than reaching a number.
“We want kindness to become an everyday practice for Australians, not just something we celebrate on World Kindness Day or in response to adverse experiences. Kindness strengthens the social fabric of our communities, and when it’s taught in our schools, it shapes how this generation and the next treat each other for life,” she said.
How Australians can get involved:
- Do one small act of kindness: Help a neighbour, check in on a friend, thank someone or include someone who might be feeling left out.
- Record your act: Log it through Kindness Factory’s online kindness tracker and contribute to the 10 million milestone.
- Get your school involved: Register for the national schools challenge and Free Dress Day on Friday 13 November.
- Celebrate World Kindness Day: Join Australians across the country on Friday 13 November in making kindness count.
Log your act of kindness:
https://kindnessfactory.com/acts-of-kindness#commentform
