Chapter 21. Voluntary Work

Supporting Documents for this Chapter:

• Voluntary Work Host Organisation Agreement templatesign-in required (sign-in required)

21.1. Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §21.1

In this Chapter, Voluntary Work refers to both Provider Sourced Voluntary Work (arranged by the Provider) and Participant Sourced Voluntary Work (arranged by the Participant). This Chapter does not cover Voluntary Work managed by Services Australia.

This Chapter outlines the requirements Providers must adhere to when sourcing Voluntary Work, in addition to the requirements in the Activity Management Chapter. It also outlines the Provider’s responsibility when supporting Participants who engage in self-sourced Voluntary Work. Provider Sourced Voluntary Work is a Specified Activity arranged by the Provider. Participant Sourced Voluntary Work is self-driven and directly reported by the Participant.

21.2. Benefits of Voluntary Work PlacementsCopy citation · §21.2

The benefits of Voluntary Work placements for eligible Participants include:

• developing practical employability skills such as attendance and communication

• increasing networks, updating referees and building confidence

• demonstrating their skills, knowledge, experience and attitude, and gaining valuable exposure to workplaces to help them understand workplace expectations.

• providing service to a Participant’s community, such as State Emergency Service and volunteer firefighting

• counts toward meeting their Points Requirement. More details on these requirements are available in the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter.

• can also be undertaken to satisfy their activation requirement. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter for more information.

Voluntary Work Participants can gain points under the PBAS. The TCF will not apply for non-attendance in Voluntary Work, however, it will apply if Participants fail to meet their Points Requirement. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligations Requirements Chapter for more information.

Participation in Voluntary Work may also fully meet a Participant’s Mutual Obligation Requirements for certain cohorts. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligations Requirements Chapter for more information.

The benefits of Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placements for the Host Organisation may include:

• access to extra sets of hands to undertake activities and projects that may not normally get done

• access to support from the Provider to source suitable Participants, and contribute towards participation costs, such as relevant checks

• Participants referred by a Provider are covered by personal accident insurance and public and/or product liability insurance. However, this coverage does not extend to Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placements that are extended by Services Australia after the initial expected end date, for those Participants who are Fully Meeting their Mutual Obligations through Voluntary Work.

21.3. Role of ProvidersCopy citation · §21.3

21.3.1. Provider Sourced Voluntary WorkCopy citation · §21.3.1

The role of the Provider is to:

• arrange suitable Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placements for Participants in eligible Host Organisations

• determine the suitability of Activity Host Organisations and their proposed placements and discuss the opportunities with the Participant to determine their interests, experience, skills, and suitability for the available placement

• support Participants declaring their attendance at Voluntary Work

• identify if Participants are Fully Meeting their Mutual Obligation Requirements through participation in Voluntary Work and if so, discuss the options with the Participant. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligations Requirements Chapter for more information.

State-based laws may apply to Voluntary Work placements. Please check with your relevant State/Territory government for more information.

21.3.2. Participant Sourced Voluntary WorkCopy citation · §21.3.2

Participant Sourced Voluntary Work is Voluntary Work that a Participant with a Points Based Activation System Requirement has identified and secured for themselves. Participants can report the hours retrospectively as a Job Search Related Task. Documentary Evidence is not required for Participant Sourced Voluntary Work and Providers must not create this as an Activity in the Department’s IT Systems.

Where Providers are aware Participants are undertaking Participant Sourced Voluntary Work, they should discuss with the Participant how the activity benefits and contributes to improving employment prospects, including adding experience to their resume and leveraging job networking. Where appropriate, Providers should encourage Participants to diversify their job search efforts and activities where the Participant Sourced Voluntary Work is not contributing to their employment prospects.

• System step — Providers must ensure Participants are not reporting hours for Provider Sourced Voluntary Work as a Job Search Related Task in the Department’s IT Systems.

21.4. EligibilityCopy citation · §21.4

21.4.1. Eligible ParticipantsCopy citation · §21.4.1

The Provider may arrange a Provider Sourced Voluntary Work Placement for any Participant on their Caseload who is aged 15 and over, if they are of the view that the Participant would benefit from the Activity, and the Activity is suitable and safe for the Participant.

Participants aged 15 and over are eligible to participate in Participant Sourced Voluntary Work.

For information on how Participants aged 55 and above, Principal Carer Parents, Participants with a Partial Capacity to Work and Participants in receipt of Carer Allowance can fully meet their Mutual Obligation Requirements through Voluntary Work and other activities, refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter.

21.4.2. Eligible Host OrganisationsCopy citation · §21.4.2

In addition to the Host Organisation requirements and prohibitions outlined in the Eligible Host Organisations section of the Activity Management Chapter, Voluntary Work Host Organisations must be a:

• not-for-profit organisation/charity, or

• not-for-profit arm of a for-profit organisation,

  that provides a community service (examples include firefighter reserves, State Emergency Service, school canteen, etc.) and is adequately insured. At minimum, Host Organisations must have public liability and personal accident insurance.

Note: Government sector agencies are considered to be not-for-profit organisations for the purpose of Voluntary Work.

Voluntary Work can be conducted in an eligible Host Organisation’s place of business where all other requirements specified in the Deed and Guidelines have been met.

21.5. Arranging PlacementsCopy citation · §21.5

In addition to the Activity requirements and prohibitions outlined in the Identifying suitable Activities for Participants section of the Activity Management Chapter, Voluntary Work placements must:

• be of benefit to the Participant and the local community and offer no financial gain to the volunteer organisation

• provide the Participant with the opportunity to gain vocational and nonvocational skills that will directly improve their Employment prospects, such as the ability to work as part of a team, take directions from a Supervisor, work independently, communicate effectively, and become more motivated and dependable

• be unpaid, however some eligible placement costs associated with Voluntary Work can be reimbursed using the Employment Fund,

• not primarily promote a particular religious or political view, and

• not involve more than 50 hours of attendance per fortnight, and not more than 25 hours per week

• not include participation outside core business hours, including on a public holiday, unless a Participant chooses to do so and has agreed in advance.

• A Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placement should not exceed 26 weeks unless:

  • the Provider determines this is the best participation option under the circumstances, or

  • the Participant is Fully Meeting their Mutual Obligation Requirements through approved voluntary work. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligations Requirements Chapter for more information.

Note: Unpaid work performed under a Community Service Order is not considered to be Voluntary Work

• System step — For each Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placement, an Activity record with an activity description clearly outlining the Voluntary Work tasks being undertaken by the Participant/s must be created in the Department’s IT Systems by selecting the Voluntary work - Community/non-profit sector Activity type. Providers are encouraged to include details of the Core Competencies that will be covered by participation in the Voluntary Work activity when creating the Activity in the Department’s IT Systems.

• System step — Where a Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placement will fully meet or contribute to a Participant Fully Meeting their Mutual Obligation Requirements, this must be recorded in the Placement details. The number of hours per fortnight a Participant will be undertaking Voluntary Work must be entered in the placement details. For a Fully Meeting Participant to be exited from Workforce Australia Services the Placement length must exceed 13 weeks and be no longer than 363 days.

21.6. Work Health and SafetyCopy citation · §21.6

• Work health and safety — For the purposes of work health and safety, the Provider must refer to, and comply with, the requirements specified in the Managing Work Health and Safety for Activities section in the Activity Management Chapter.

  Work health and safety — (Deed Reference(s): Clauses 121, 126.2)

• Documentary evidence — The Provider must retain Records of any action taken with regard to any Incidents that occur during a Voluntary Work placement in accordance with the WHS Incidents and Insurance Readers Guidessign-in required (sign-in required).

• Documentary evidence — Providers have the discretion to determine how they document Activity Risk Assessments and Participant Risk Assessments for Provider Sourced Voluntary Work Placements but must retain Records of each Risk Assessment undertaken.

21.7. Managing Provider Sourced Voluntary Work PlacementsCopy citation · §21.7

21.7.1. Referring a Participant to Provider Sourced Voluntary WorkCopy citation · §21.7.1

Prior to referring a Participant to a Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placement, the Provider must:

• determine the Participant’s eligibility

• ensure the Participant has undertaken any background checks required for the Placement

• ensure the Risk Assessment process has been completed by a Competent Person

• ensure the nature of the activities are appropriate and suitable for a Participant (see the Activity Management Chapter for further information).

• refer to and comply with the requirements specified in the Engaging with Host Organisations Section in the Activity Management Chapter.

In addition, the Provider should identify any assistance or items the Participant will require for the Placement. This may include specific clothing and transport. The Provider may be able to seek reimbursement for goods and services related to the Placement. Providers should refer to, and comply with, the requirements specified in the Employment Fund Chapter.

• System step — The Provider must refer the Participant against the relevant Activity record in accordance with the Department's training resourcessign-in required (sign-in required).

21.7.2. Commencing the Provider Sourced Voluntary Work PlacementCopy citation · §21.7.2

The Provider must confirm with the Host Organisation that the Participant commenced in the placement on the start date recorded in the Voluntary Work Host Organisation Agreement, and then confirm the Participant’s commencement in the Department’s IT Systems.

• System step — The Provider must confirm the placement start date in the Department’s IT Systems within 5 Business Days following the scheduled start date.

21.8. Monitoring the Provider Sourced Voluntary Work PlacementCopy citation · §21.8

The Provider is expected to proactively monitor the placement for its duration.

In addition to the Activity Management Chapter, the Provider should remain in contact with the Host Organisation and Participant to ensure:

• they are aware of any changes in circumstances affecting the placement

• the Host Organisation is operating in accordance with the Voluntary Work Host Organisation Agreement, and

• any issues that may arise are quickly resolved.

21.9. Participant Completion of PlacementCopy citation · §21.9

In addition to the requirements outlined in Completion of Activities, Providers must ensure all Participants are exited from their Provider Sourced Voluntary Work Placement and provide an exit reason. When a Provider Sourced Voluntary Work activity ends, the Provider must end the activity in the Department’s IT Systems.

21.10. Progress PaymentsCopy citation · §21.10

Progress Payments are available to claim when the Participant’s circumstances have been changed during participation in Workforce Australia Services such that they are more prepared to gain and maintain Employment. Participation in Provider Sourced Voluntary Work may contribute towards a Progress Payment based on work placement. For Progress Payments, the Provider must refer to, and comply with the requirements specified in the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter.