Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation

Information
1 minute read

A Guide to Work Health and Safety for Volunteer Organisations

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

This guide simplifies the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws for organisations that involve volunteers. It clarifies the responsibilities of organisations, volunteers, and officers, covering the scope of activities under these laws. The emphasis is on managing health and safety risks, providing necessary training, and the critical role of consultation to ensure volunteers' safety.

Benefits for Organisations

For volunteer organisations, this document is invaluable. It offers practical advice on complying with WHS duties, ensuring a safer working environment for all. By prioritising health and safety, organisations can foster a positive and secure atmosphere for volunteers.

Benefits for Volunteer Management Practitioners

The guide includes a checklist for organisations to follow, ensuring compliance with WHS duties. It advises on regular updates on health and safety policies, conducting meetings, appointing Health and Safety Representatives, and the importance of notifying regulators about serious incidents. It also touches on the need to address workplace bullying, harassment, and discrimination, making it a comprehensive resource for volunteer management practitioners.

Application

This document offers clear guidelines and benefits for enhancing volunteer safety and organisational compliance.


Downloads and sources

More about the author

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!


More like this

Articles & Reports

Engage Journal – The global voice of leaders of volunteer engagement

Engage is a subscription based online journal designed for people who manage volunteers in charities and non-profit organisations. ENGAGE publish articles and features from around the world to keep volunteer managers up-to-date on the latest ideas and best practice.
1 minute read
Engage Journal
General
Resources

Volunteering and Sustainable Development Goals

This factsheet offers a one-page overview of each UN Sustainable Development Goal, linking them to practical examples for Volunteer Involving Organisations to support peace, prosperity, and impact through volunteering.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
e-learning

BeConnected Program

Be Connected is a Australian government initiative designed to bridge the digital gap and equip older volunteers with the skills they need to thrive in today's online world.
1 minute read
Be Connected
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Older Volunteers +2 more
INVOLVE
Tech

INVOLVE

Volunteer management a headache? INVOLVE simplifies everything! Automate tasks, gain instant insights, schedule visually, track hours effortlessly, and collaborate seamlessly. Built in Australia, your data's safe. Focus on your purpose, not admin.
Volunteer database Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Event management
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
scheduled

Write It, Win It: Grant Writing Skills for Community Volunteers - Session 2

The second of two 90-minute engaging sessions. Learn how to match ideas with the right funders, tell a compelling story, build a clear case for support, and prepare strong, realistic budgets. Walk away from engaging and interactive online sessions feeling empowered and ready to take action.
Volunteering SA&NT
Free
scheduled

Values Based Leadership

Values should be more than just words on a wall. Well-developed and defined organisational values can shape culture, guide action, and become one of your strongest tools for attracting volunteers. In this session, explore how values-driven leadership can help you create a more purposeful volunteer
Volunteering Victoria
FREE
scheduled

Managing Member Disputes and Board Conflict - Mar 2026

In this webinar, you’ll hear about why disputes happen in not-for-profits, how to avoid them, and what the law requires of not-for-profit organisations managing conflict.
Not-for-profit Law Training
Free