Skip to main content
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

Information

Difficult conversations with volunteers

Guide outlining when and how to have difficult conversations with volunteers, including practical tips and tools.
1 minute read
Volunteer PlainTalk
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Articles & Reports

Best Practice Guidelines

Sector designed guidelines to help organisations improve volunteer engagement across the full volunteer lifecycle.
1 minute read
Volunteering New Zealand
General
Information

Finding the perfect volunteering role

A guide to help people consider their interests, skills and circumstances when choosing a volunteering role.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
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
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
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
scheduled

Board Inductions for Not-for-profits - July 2026

This webinar explores effective board induction processes for not‑for‑profits. Learn how to prepare, onboard and support board members, clarify roles and responsibilities, and implement induction practices that strengthen governance.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
A$49.00
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
scheduled

Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness

This webinar explores cultural sensitivity and awareness, including unconscious bias and its impact. Learn how to recognise bias, improve communication and build inclusive practices when working with diverse communities.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free