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

Background checks

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


More like this

Articles & Reports

International Youth Volunteering Resources

This collection of resources by the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) explores the role of youth volunteering in social change and personal development.
1 minute read
International Association for Volunteer Effort
Youth or Student, General
GoodCompany
Tech

GoodCompany

GoodCompany is a Workplace Giving Platform based in Australia and NZ. It's designed to enable companies and their people to come together to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and match donations for the charities closest to their hearts.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
VIKTOR Lite
Tech

VIKTOR Lite

VIKTOR Lite enables volunteer involving organisations to recruit volunteers via a range of websites run by local governments, state peaks, local volunteer resource centres, Volunteering Australia and SEEK Volunteer.
Volunteer database Recruitment Onboarding / training Reporting
Better Impact
Tech

Better Impact

Better Impact offers a comprehensive software solution for volunteer program management, to simplify administrative tasks and enhance volunteer engagement across every stage of the volunteer lifecycle.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Social media Donations
scheduled

Panel Discussion: The Importance of Volunteer Development

Join us for a panel discussion on Standard 5 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Plain and Easy English Language Part 1 (24 July 2025)

People with intellectual and cognitive disability are often overlooked in the pursuit of website accessibility. This 2 part workshop, facilitated by The Centre for Accessibility Australia, will provide tools in optimising online content for readability to significantly improve access to information.
Volunteering Victoria
Free
scheduled

An Introduction and Overview of the Refreshed National Standards

The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are a best practice framework to guide volunteer involvement. They are designed for organisations that strive for best practice and who offer simple, practical actions that can apply to a broad range of volunteering scenarios.
Volunteering WA
This online learning is free to Western Australian Volunteer Involving Organisations who are full members of Volunteering WA thanks to funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services.