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

Guide to onboarding

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

This guide provides practical advice on onboarding volunteers, covering the early stages of volunteer involvement and the steps organisations can take to help volunteers feel welcomed, informed and prepared for their role. It highlights the importance of clear communication, role clarity and early support.

The resource is designed for volunteer involving organisations and volunteer managers responsible for welcoming and supporting new volunteers.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • supports positive first experiences for new volunteers
  • helps establish clear expectations and understanding of roles
  • encourages early engagement and confidence
  • contributes to volunteer satisfaction and retention.

How to apply this resource

This guide is most useful when welcoming new volunteers, reviewing onboarding practices, or strengthening induction and early support processes within the organisation.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

VolunteeringACT is the peak body for volunteering and community information in the Canberra Region, as well as being a service provider of programs for people experiencing disadvantage and isolation, people with disability, and people needing support for mental wellness.

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

Weblinks

International Volunteer Manager’s Day (IVMDay)

Celebrated annually on November 5, International Volunteer Managers' Day (IVMDay) is an annual event dedicated to recognising the important work of Volunteer Engagement Professionals.
1 minute read
International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay)
General
Resources

Youth Volunteering

This article and resources provide an overview for organisations seeking to integrate young volunteers, including videos, downloadable guides, elearning, podcasts and webinars.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
Volunteer Resources

Volunteerability

Volunteerability helps organisations and individuals create inclusive volunteering by offering toolkits, guidance, and training. It supports people with disabilities and is backed by Orana Australia Ltd, Northern and Southern Volunteering, and government funding.
1 minute read
Volunteerability
Disability
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
Emergency Support Volunteering website
Tech

Emergency Support Volunteering website

The Emergency Support Volunteering website allows volunteers in Western Australia to register to help in emergencies, organisations needing support can also register to contact volunteers for assistance.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
Volaby
Tech

Volaby

Volaby is an end-to-end volunteer and people management platform, enabling organisations to do more with less! Built from the collective voice of our volunteer managers using the platform, Volaby helps you automate and simplify the volunteer and manager experience to save time and scale impact.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
scheduled

Future-Ready Volunteering Workshops

These workshops create space for local conversation, shared learning & connection that online sessions can’t match. You’ll unpack what the findings mean for your organisation, test ideas with peers, and leave with practical approaches to use straight away
Volunteering Victoria
Free
scheduled

Focus Group: Volunteering Local Health Districts Community of Practice

This focus group invites participants to share insights on volunteering within Local Health Districts and a Community of Practice model. Feedback will inform future collaboration, support and best practice to strengthen volunteer involvement.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Employment Pathway: Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment

This webinar explores how volunteering can support pathways into paid employment. Learn how to build employable skills through volunteering, articulate transferable experience, and create pathways that help volunteers transition into the workforce.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free