Volunteering Qld

National Standards available for free download

The National Standards for Involving Volunteers in Nonprofit Organisations are now available for free download from Volunteering Australia's website.

The National Standards have been developed by Volunteering Australia through a consultation process with volunteer-involving organisations and volunteers, and aim to promote a model of best practice in the management of volunteers. The National Standards emphasise the importance of adopting a systems approach to managing volunteers and compliance with the standards will ensure that volunteer rights are protected, their role is explicit and they work in safe and healthy environments.

Nonprofit organisations can use the National Standards in a number of ways:

• As an audit tool that provides an overall appreciation of where the organisation is placed with respect to best management practice for volunteer involvement
• As a guideline or checklist to help identify opportunities for making improvements
• As a framework of reference to assist in planning and establishing a new volunteer service
• As a baseline from which progress in making improvements can be monitored and measured

An organisation that is able to demonstrate compliance with the standards is well positioned strategically to recruit and retain more volunteers, as well as attract funding or sponsorship for new initiatives.

Topics covered in the National Standards are: 

1. Policies and procedures 
2. Management responsibilities 
3. Recruitment
4. Work and the workplace 
5. Training and development 
6. Service delivery 
7. Documentation 
8. Continuous improvement

Download a copy of the National Standards

The National Standards are supported by an Implementation Guide and Workbook which are available for purchase from Volunteering SA & NT.