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
Take a quick survey to help us improve your experience.

Position Paper
1 minute read

Definition of Volunteering

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

Introduction

Introduced in 2015, Volunteering Australia’s Definition of Volunteering has a set of explanatory notes, a detailed Issues Paper that provides background and context, and a set of FAQs around it.

Summary

The Definition of Volunteering describes volunteering as 'time willingly given for the common good without financial gain'. It includes both formal and informal activities but excludes some other factors.

Benefits for Volunteer Involving Organisations

This updated definition helps volunteer organisations by providing a clear framework for what constitutes volunteering. It emphasises best practices and highlights the mutual benefits for both society and volunteers.

Application for Volunteer Management Practitioners

Volunteer management practitioners can use this definition to better structure their programs, ensuring they align with best practices. It also helps in recognising and valuing the contributions of volunteers more effectively.


Downloads and sources

More about the author

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteering, working to advance volunteering in the Australian community. Their vision is to promote strong, connected communities through volunteering, and their mission is to lead, strengthen, promote and celebrate volunteering in Australia.

Contribute to the Gateway


More like this

Policies & Procedures

Developing Policies and Procedures

This article, quick guide and templates help organisations have written volunteer policies and outlines the process for their development.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
Tools or Toolkits

Governance Toolkit

The Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) Governance Toolkit is a collection of resources that will help charities manage four important risk areas: financial abuse; cyber security; working with partners; safeguarding vulnerable people.
1 minute read
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
General
Resources

Manage and Promote Diversity

This online course teaches strategies for creating a respectful, inclusive work environment that values diversity. It covers communication, leadership, and creating effective diversity plans.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA
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
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
Tech

VIKTOR

VIKTOR is a volunteer recruitment system designed to run a referral service for volunteers. It allows you to create and advertise volunteer roles, enter volunteers and match them to roles offered by your members.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
scheduled

Acknowledging Country

In this session, facilitated by Tania Harris from the Health Consumers' Council, you will learn about and will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of why and when to do an Acknowledgement of Country, Yarn and ask any questions you may have.
Volunteering WA
This session is for all leaders of volunteers who regularly facilitate an acknowledgement to Country. Please note : Only 15 spaces available for this session
scheduled

Legal Issues in Managing a Diverse Volunteer Team | Volunteering Tasmania and Justice Connect NFP Law

Join us for this special session delivered by Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law program.  This interactive and practical session will be customised for volunteer-involving organisations and designed to encourage questions, discussion, and active involvement from participants. 
Volunteering Tasmania
A$65.00
scheduled

Building an Inclusive Volunteer Program

This interactive workshop will provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to recruit, engage, and retain a diverse team of volunteers, including reviewing organisational procedures and workplace culture.
Volunteering Victoria
FREE