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

The principles of volunteering

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

Overview

This resource outlines the nationally recognised principles that underpin best practice volunteering.

What is volunteering?

Volunteering is time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain. It includes both formal volunteering through organisations and informal volunteering in the community.

Key principles of volunteering

  • Volunteering benefits both the community and the volunteer
  • Volunteering is always a matter of choice
  • Volunteering is unpaid and should not replace paid work
  • Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others
  • Volunteering promotes human rights and equality

Implications for organisations

The principles guide how organisations design roles, support volunteers, manage safety, recognise contributions and embed ethical volunteering practices.

Downloads and sources

Visit source (opens in new tab)

More about the author

Volunteering Victoria is the state peak body for volunteering, focusing on advocacy, sector development and the promotion of volunteering.
info@volunteeringvictoria.org.au (03) 9052 4524
Visit website (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab) (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

Resources

Volunteer Training

This guide highlights the importance of volunteer training for skill development, safety, and volunteer satisfaction. It offers tips for creating and delivering training programs.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering ACT, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
Guides

Reference checks

Guide outlining how to conduct reference checks as part of volunteer selection and screening processes.
1 minute read
Volunteer Ireland
General
Factsheets

Fundraising Hub

The Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) Fundraising Hub is a collection of resources about state and territory fundraising regulators and guidance about charities and fundraising.
1 minute read
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
General
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
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
scheduled

Volunteer Management 101 

This interactive workshop provides participants with a sound understanding of best practice volunteer management. Participants will be taken through each stage of the volunteer’s involvement, based on the ‘life cycle’ model of volunteer management.
Volunteering Victoria
–
Free
scheduled

Bridge to Volunteering - An introduction to volunteering

Learn about volunteering including the benefits of volunteering, rights and responsibilities, and how to get involved in your community.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free
scheduled

Panel Discussion: AI for Volunteer Leaders

Explore how Artificial Intelligence can support and enhance your role as a volunteer leader.
The Centre for Volunteering
–
Free