Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Information
1 minute read

Background checks

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

Introduction

When recruiting employees or volunteers, not-for-profit organisations must conduct appropriate screening procedures to manage potential risks. This guide provides comprehensive information on background checks for each Australian state and territory.

Benefits for Volunteer Organisations and Volunteer Management Practitioners

  • Conducting thorough background checks helps identify potential risks and protect the organisation.

  • Ensures compliance: The guide provides information on legal requirements for screening, ensuring compliance with relevant laws.

  • By screening applicants appropriately, organisations can create a safer environment for everyone involved.

  • Adhering to privacy laws and ethical practices can enhance the organisation's reputation.

How to Apply the Resource

  • Use the guide to understand the specific screening requirements for your State or Territory.

  • Develop and implement clear policies and procedures for conducting background checks.

  • Ensure that staff members are trained on how to conduct background checks and handle sensitive information.

  • Regularly review and update your screening practices to reflect changes in legislation or best practices.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law program is a national legal service, offering free and affordable legal supports for not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises.

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

Information

Language Guides

This information, guides and videos provide resources for appropriate language to use when talking about sensitive topics like trauma, drugs/alcohol, emapthy and de-escalation.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, The Knowledge Base
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Resources

Volunteer Training

This guide highlights the importance of volunteer training for skill development, safety, and volunteer satisfaction. It offers tips for creating and delivering training programs.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
Information

Volunteering in Aged Care

Information for potential and current volunteers, Volunteer Managers and providers, including eligibility and where to find volunteering opportunities.
1 minute read
Department of Health Disability and Aging
First Nations, Youth or Student +14 more
Rosterfy
Tech

Rosterfy

Rosterfy is an end-to-end volunteer management software solution, that helps organisations streamline their volunteer management and engagement. Rosterfy offers automated solutions to manage volunteers efficiently.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

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

2026 National Volunteering Conference

Under the theme Innovation and Impact: Reimagining Volunteering, the conference will bring us together to address high-priority issues and explore bold, practical solutions that support the National Strategy for Volunteering.
Volunteering SA&NT
A$450.00
scheduled

Let's Talk Diversity and Inclusion in Volunteering

This workshop will support you to strengthen your organisation's volunteering programs to be equitable, respectful and inclusive with practical tools, and open and honest discussions.
Volunteering Tasmania
A$20.00
scheduled

Focus Group: Volunteering in Health - Griffith

This focus group invites participants to share experiences of volunteering in health settings. Your insights will help inform future support, policy and best practice to strengthen health‑related volunteering across regional NSW.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free