Formal volunteering is an activity which takes place in not-for-profit organisations or projects and is undertaken:

• To be of benefit to the community and the volunteer;
  
• Of the volunteer's own free will and without coercion;
  
• For no financial payment;
  
• In designated volunteer positions only.

Principles of Volunteering

• Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer
  
• Volunteer work is unpaid
  
• Volunteering is always a matter of choice
  
• Volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken to receive pensions or government allowances,
  
• Volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community
  
• Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs
  
• Volunteering is an activity performed in the not-for-profit sector only
  
• Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work
  
• Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to the job security of paid workers
  
• Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others.
  
• Volunteering promotes human rights and equality.

2001 Volunteering Australia. All rights reserved.

Model Code Of Practice For Organisations Involving Volunteer Staff

In order to enhance the volunteers experience and comply with legislation and duty of care, organisations that take on volunteers will:

• interview and employ volunteer staff in accordance with anti discrimination and equal opportunity legislation;
  
• provide volunteer staff with orientation and training;
  
• provide volunteer staff with a healthy and safe workplace;
  
• provide appropriate and adequate insurance coverage for volunteer staff;
  
• not place volunteer staff in roles that were previously held by paid staff or have been identified as paid jobs;
  
• differentiate between paid and unpaid roles;
  
• define volunteer roles and develop clear job descriptions;
  
• provide appropriate levels of support and management for volunteer staff;
  
• provide volunteers with a copy of policies pertaining to volunteer staff;
  
• ensure volunteers are not required to take up additional work during industrial dispute or paid staff shortage;
  
• provide all staff with information on grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures;
  
• acknowledge the rights of volunteer staff;
  
• ensure that the work of volunteer staff complements but does not undermine the work of paid staff;
  
• offer volunteer staff the opportunity for professional development;
  
• reimburse volunteer staff for out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation;
  
• treat volunteer staff as valuable team members, and advise them of the opportunities to participate in agency decisions; and
• acknowledge the contributions of volunteer staff.

This code has been put together by Volunteering Australia.