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
Create account
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

Visit source

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.
hello@volunteeringaustralia.org 02 6189 4921
Visit website

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

A Guide to Work Health and Safety for Volunteer Organisations

A comprehensive guide covering the WHS duties of a volunteer involving organisation. This resource covers specific topics including volunteering from home, emergency service volunteers, and bullying, harassment and discrimination duties.
1 minute read
Safe Work Australia
General
Research and Reports

The Role of Volunteers in Co-Producing ‘Whole-of-Society’ Solutions

This article explores how Canada successfully resettled Syrian refugees in 2015 with the help of volunteers. It highlights the importance of co-production, which involves citizens, volunteers, and organizations working together to deliver public services.
1 minute read
Engage Journal
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Migrants +1 more
Research and Reports

Developing Generation-Based Volunteer Management Practices

This study explores the experiences of volunteers across five generations in Atlanta, aiming to understand their preferences for volunteering.
1 minute read
Tonya Renee' Howard
Youth or Student, Older Volunteers +1 more
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
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
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

Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer Involving Organisation

This free inclusion workshop explores how to build inclusive volunteering opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds. Learn to identify and reduce barriers, support young people, and create inclusive teams and workplaces.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Focus Group: Volunteering in Emergency Services - Wollongong

This focus group invites participants to share experiences of volunteering in emergency services. Your insights will help inform future support, policy and best practice to strengthen emergency volunteering in NSW.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Let’s Talk Aboriginal Cultural Safety in Volunteering (Rescheduled)

This workshop introduces Aboriginal cultural safety in volunteering. Explore what cultural safety means, why it matters, and practical ways volunteer‑involving organisations can create respectful, inclusive and culturally safe environments.
Volunteering Tasmania
–
Free