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National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Refresh
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are being refreshed to ensure they reflect the contemporary environment and continue to support the volunteering ecosystem. The project is being lead by Volunteering Australia with the support of Volunteering SA&NT.
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Refresh has involved consultation with the volunteering ecosystem and is drawing on the extensive engagement undertaken during the development of the new National Strategy for Volunteering. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.
The refresh of the National Standards involves two phases:
- Development of refreshed National Standards.
- Development of resources to support implementation of the refreshed National Standards.
The National Standards Refresh will be completed later this year. The current National Standards, as outlined below, should continue to be used until the refresh program is completed.
The refreshed National Standards will build on the new National Strategy for Volunteering to support a vision for inclusive, safe, and sustainable volunteering in Australia.
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Refresh Project is being funded via the Australian Government’s Volunteer Management Activity.
The current National Standards, as outlined below, should continue to be used until the refresh program is completed.
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement provide a sound framework for supporting the volunteer sector in Australia. The National Standards are easy to follow and are adaptable to different organisation types and different forms of volunteering which reflect the diversity of this growing sector.
Direct benefits to organisations:
- They provide good practice guidance and benchmarks to help organisations attract, manage and retain volunteers, and
- Help manage risk and safety in their work with volunteers.
Direct benefits to volunteers:
- They help improve the volunteer experience.
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are the intellectual property of Volunteering Australia. They are recognised within Australia as the best practice framework for volunteer involvement.
As the owners of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, Volunteering Australia has endorsed its Foundation Members, the State and Territory Volunteering Peak Bodies, as being the sole organisations authorised to deliver training and develop resources on the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
Any unauthorised use of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement is strictly prohibited.
You can read our statement on the use of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement here.
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are available here for free download.
Implementing the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement contain benchmarks specifically designed to help organisations attract, manage, recognise and retain volunteers, and to manage risk and safety with respect to volunteers. If you coordinate or manage volunteers or have management or governance responsibility in organisations that work with volunteers, the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement will be a useful tool for your organisation. There are a number of ways to prepare and plan for the implementation of the National Standards and self-assess your progress.
1. State and Territory Volunteering Peak Bodies
Volunteering Peak Bodies are established in each State and Territory in Australia. Among their many functions is the key role they play in promoting excellence in volunteer management. Should you want help with implementing the National Standards you may contact the Volunteering Peak Body in your State or Territory for more information on the services they provide.
2. National Standards Workshop
This four hour workshop will assist organisations to prepare and plan for their implementation of the Standards with the guidance of our experienced facilitators and with support from the sector. Workshop objectives include:
- gain an understanding of the benefits of implementation
- assess the gaps of your organisation
- manage the necessary change
- begin an action plan
To find out more about a National Standards Workshop being held in your area, contact your State/Territory Volunteering Peak Body.
3. Implementing the National Standards Guide and Workbook
This Guide and Workbook is designed as a systematic and ‘user friendly’ method for implementing the National Standards in your organisation. It contains a comprehensive set of instructions and resources to guide you task-by-task through the implementation process.
This resource is suitable for anyone who wants to implement the National Standards or whose job it is to involve volunteers. When used in conjunction with the National Standards, the Workbook will help you to determine where you need to make improvements in your system for managing volunteer involvement. Importantly, it will also enable you to identify your strengths – what you are currently doing well.
To obtain a copy of the Implementing the National Standards Guide and Workbook, contact your State/Territory Volunteering Peak Body.
4. National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Tool
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Tool provides organisations across Australia with an easy-to-use online self-assessment tool to work towards meeting the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Tool is a tailored version of Standards & Performance Pathways (SPP), a leading Australian online service for the completion of service and quality standards, compliance activities, and for managing risk and quality performance.
Visit the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Tool website for more information and to subscribe. The online tool was developed by Volunteering Australia in partnership with Breaking New Ground (BNG).
