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

Developing a volunteer policy

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

This guide provides an overview of how organisations can develop a volunteering policy. It outlines key elements and considerations to ensure policies support effective, safe and consistent volunteer involvement.

The resource supports organisations to align volunteer policies with governance, legal considerations and health and safety requirements, strengthening organisational practice and accountability.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • develop volunteer policy
  • define clear and structured volunteer roles and expectations
  • communicate how and why organisations involve and engage volunteers
  • align workplace practices with legal and governance requirements.

How to apply this resource

This resource is most useful when developing or reviewing volunteer policies, strengthening governance frameworks, or ensuring compliance with legal and safety requirements.

Downloads and sources

Visit source (opens in new tab)

More about the author

National organisation supporting volunteering and volunteer development across Scotland.
disclosures@volunteerscotland.org.uk Contact Volunteer Scotland
Visit website (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

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

Guides

Guide to onboarding

Practical guide to help organisations onboard volunteers effectively and support a positive start to volunteering.
1 minute read
Volunteering ACT
General
Guides

Managing Underperformance

A guide to performance appraisal and managing underperformance in volunteers.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
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
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
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
scheduled

International Day of People with Disability - and Volunteering

A session on the NSW Disability Inclusion Volunteering Guidelines, exploring how organisations can support and include volunteers with disability in their programs.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Understanding your Not-for-profit's Constitution - Nov 2026

Learn how to read, understand and apply your not-for-profit’s constitution with confidence. This practical webinar covers key legal requirements, governance essentials and tips for updating your governing document.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
–
A$49.00
scheduled

Engaging Young People as Volunteers

Learn how to attract, recruit and retain young volunteers through this interactive session. Explore young people's motivations, understand barriers to participation, and discover practical strategies to tailor volunteer opportunities and engagement.
Volunteering SA&NT
–
Free