Skip to main content

What are you looking for?

Enter keywords to search across resources, guides, training, tools, and more.

Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation

Role Descriptions
1 minute read

Writing a Role Description

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

Introduction

Role descriptions play a crucial part in the recruitment and management of volunteers. They provide a clear outline of what is expected from a volunteer, detailing tasks, the time commitment required, and the location of the volunteering activity. This clarity helps in managing expectations and ensuring that volunteers are well-suited for their roles.

Benefits for Volunteer Involving Organisations

For volunteer organisations, these descriptions are invaluable. They align with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, ensuring that all practices meet high-quality benchmarks. This alignment not only enhances the management process but also boosts the effectiveness of volunteer involvement.

Advantages for Volunteer Management Practitioners

Volunteers benefit significantly from clear role descriptions. They receive detailed information on the role, including the outcomes and goals, necessary training, background checks, qualifications needed, and the benefits of the role. This comprehensive approach ensures that volunteers are fully informed and can engage in roles that match their skills and interests.

Summary

In summary, role descriptions are essential tools for both volunteer organisations and the volunteers themselves. They streamline the recruitment process, improve volunteer management, and ensure a rewarding experience for all parties involved.


Downloads and sources

More about the author

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteering, working to advance volunteering in the Australian community. Their vision is to promote strong, connected communities through volunteering, and their mission is to lead, strengthen, promote and celebrate volunteering in Australia.

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

Foundations of Volunteer Management: Recruit, Induct and Support Volunteers

This e-learning unit builds skills in recruiting, inducting, and supporting volunteers. Learn to craft roles, market effectively, manage risks, and run smooth inductions. Aligned with CHCVOL003, it supports strong volunteer engagement and program success.
1 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
Volunteer Resources

Sport Volunteer Resource Hub

Enhance your volunteer management by downloading resources, tools, and best practices to attract, retain, and celebrate volunteers in Australian sport.
1 minute read
Australian Sports Commission
General
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
Be Collective
Tech

Be Collective

A volunteer management & community engagement platform. Be Collective is all about empowering volunteering and the organisations supporting volunteering to build stronger, more sustainable networks for doing good.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
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
scheduled

Privacy Laws for Not-for-profits - Mar 2026

In this webinar, our lawyers will set out some of the key personal information handling obligations for not-for-profits and provide you with an easy-to-follow framework to help demystify privacy laws. We’ll bring you up to speed on the privacy reforms with a high-level overview of important changes.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
A$49.00
scheduled

Write It, Win It: Grant Writing Skills for Community Volunteers - Session 1

The first of two 90-minute engaging sessions. Learn how to match ideas with the right funders, tell a compelling story, build a clear case for support, and prepare strong, realistic budgets. Walk away from engaging and interactive online sessions feeling empowered and ready to take action.
Volunteering SA&NT
Free
scheduled

Volunteering SA&NT Member's Volunteer Management Forum

This member-only event brings together volunteer leaders to explore best‑practice volunteer engagement, share real-world insights and strengthen sector connections. Guest speaker presentation on Tech & AI in Volunteer Management, panel on the stages of volunteer involvement cycle and catered lunch.
Volunteering SA&NT
Free