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

Recruiting Volunteers

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

Introduction

Recruiting volunteers is crucial for any organisation, and it all begins with meticulous planning. This involves drafting clear job descriptions, conducting thorough interviews, and performing necessary checks on applicants. By doing so, organisations ensure they attract the right individuals for their volunteer roles.

Summary

To draw in volunteers, organisations can employ targeted recruitment strategies. Utilising word-of-mouth and leveraging local connections have proven to be highly effective. Additionally, mass publicity efforts, such as media campaigns and online platforms, broaden the reach to potential volunteers. It's also essential to have a strategy for handling walk-in volunteers, ensuring they receive a positive first impression.

Benefits for Volunteer Involving Organisations and Volunteer Management

This document offers invaluable guidance for volunteer organisations and volunteer management practitioners. It outlines a structured approach to volunteer recruitment, ensuring organisations attract and retain the right talent. By following these recommendations, organisations can enhance their volunteer recruitment process, leading to a more efficient and effective volunteer workforce.

Application

This plain language guide is designed to make the complex subject of volunteer recruitment accessible, providing clear benefits for organisations looking to improve their volunteer management practices.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

Volunteering Victoria is the state peak body for volunteering, focusing on advocacy, sector development and the promotion of volunteering.

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

Mental Health General Resources

This information provides an overview and weblinks for various mental health services in Australia, including helplines, online resources, and support for specific needs.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, The Knowledge Base
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Guides

National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are a best practice framework to guide volunteer involvement in Australia. They are an essential resource for Volunteer Managers.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
Resources

Navigating Background Checks

This guide and weblinks explain Working with Children Checks (WWCC) and Working with Vulnerable People Checks (WWVP) required for volunteers in Australia including jurisdictional variations and resources.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
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
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
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

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

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

Setting up a Social Enterprise - June 2026

An introductory webinar on setting up a social enterprise. Learn key legal issues, structural options, charity status and tax concessions to help your not‑for‑profit create sustainable income while maximising social impact.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
A$49.00