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

Volunteer role descriptions

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

This guide provides practical advice on creating volunteer role descriptions. It outlines key elements such as responsibilities, expectations, required skills and support, helping ensure clarity for both organisations and volunteers.

The resource supports organisations to design roles that are safe, well structured and aligned with organisational goals, contributing to effective volunteer engagement.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • define volunteer roles, responsibilities and expectations
  • understand key considerations to include in a volunteer position description
  • improve volunteer retention and recruitment and engagement processes.

How to apply this resource

This guide is most useful when creating or reviewing volunteer role descriptions, improving recruitment practices, or ensuring roles are clearly defined and aligned with organisational needs.

Downloads and sources

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

Information

Not-for-profit Insurance

This guide explains different insurance options for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in Australia. It covers property, cyber, volunteer, management liability, public liability, and more.
1 minute read
AoN
General
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
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
Rosterfy
Tech

Rosterfy

Rosterfy is an end-to-end volunteer management software solution, that helps organisations streamline their volunteer management and engagement. Rosterfy offers automated solutions to manage volunteers efficiently.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
on-demand

Certificate IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs

Nationally recognised qualification for people who manage volunteers. Over a 12-month period, develop leadership and management skills to lead volunteers, or formalise your experience.
Volunteering Queensland
Peak body members: $1950. Standard course fee: $3,500.
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

AI for Volunteer Managers: Work Smarter, Save Time, Support More Volunteers

Celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day with this practical AI workshop led by Aidan Morgan, Chief Engineering Officer at Bankwest. Learn how AI can support volunteer recruitment, communications and planning while using it responsibly.
VolunteeringWA
–
Free