AUSTRALIA is a nation of givers, tying equal first with New Zealand as the countries whose citizens are most willing to donate their time and money to charity.

A report by the British-based Charities Aid Foundation found 70 per cent of Australians had given money to a charity, and 38 per cent had donated their time, in the month before they were surveyed. Almost two-thirds had given assistance to a stranger.

Jannetta Rahardjo, a 20-year-old student who began volunteering at St Vincent de Paul two weeks ago exemplifies Australia's volunteering culture.

''While I'm not doing anything at home I thought it would be nice to help out a Vinnie's,'' Ms Rahardjo said.

The executive director of the Red Cross, Lewis Kaplan, said he was not surprised Australians ranked as the world's most generous citizens.