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

Unpaid Work

Unpaid work can take on different forms - including vocational placements, unpaid internships, unpaid work experience and unpaid trials. Unpaid work arrangements can be entered into for a number of reasons. These include:

  • to give a person experience in a job or industry

  • to test a person's job skills

  • to volunteer time and effort to a not-for-profit organisation.

These arrangements can be initiated by employers, the person wanting the work or experience, or education/training institutions.

This resource from the Fair Work Ombudsman delves into this in more detail.

Downloads and sources

Visit source (opens in new tab)

More about the author

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

Resources

Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer Mentor

This online course equips volunteers to mentor participants with disabilities as part of the Inclusive Volunteering Pathways to Employment Program. It covers inclusion, disability, and mentor responsibilities
1 minute read
Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Tasmania, The Knowledge Base
Resources

Planning and Maintaining a Volunteer Program

This article, guides and e-learning provide an overview of the things you need to set up and maintain a successful volunteer program for your organisation.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
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
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
FreddyMatch
Tech

FreddyMatch

FreddyMatch is a web-based platform that facilitates and optimises the process of volunteering. We help match organisations and volunteers based on their unique interests, skill sets, location and availability using the “FreddyMatch” algorithm.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
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
scheduled

Conflict as a catalyst for change

Managing Conflict with Volunteers explores why difficult conversations are often avoided and how delays can worsen conflict. Learn practical approaches to addressing challenging behaviour, setting boundaries and resolving issues constructively.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Insurance for Not-for-profits - Nov 2026

Learn how insurance supports effective risk management in not-for-profits. Explore key cover types, emerging sector risks and practical tips for reviewing insurance needs with expert guidance from AON. Includes recording, slides and resources.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
–
A$49.00