Chapter 23. Voluntary Work

Supporting Documents for this Chapter:

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

In this Chapter, Voluntary Work refers to Provider Sourced Voluntary Work (arranged by the Provider).

This Chapter outlines the requirements Providers must adhere to when sourcing Voluntary Work, in addition to the requirements in the Activity Management Chapter.

Provider Sourced Voluntary Work is a Specified Activity arranged by the Provider.

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.

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.

The role of the Provider is to:

• arrange suitable Provider Sourced Voluntary Work placements for participants in not-for-profit 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.

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

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 114)

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

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.

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.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 113.3)

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,

• not primarily promote a particular religious or political view

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

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

Voluntary Work placements are unpaid and can be for a period of up to 26 weeks.

• System step — For each Voluntary Work Placement, an Activity record must be created in the Department’s IT Systems by selecting the Voluntary work - Community/non-profit sector Activity type (Activity Code ‘VWRK’).

• System step — 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.

(Deed Reference(s): Clauses 114)

• 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 Deed and the Activity Management Chapter.

The Provider is expected to proactively monitor the Voluntary Work Placement for its duration.

In addition to the requirements set out in 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 Host Organisation Agreement, and

• any issues that may arise are quickly resolved.

• System step — The Provider must confirm the Voluntary Work Placement start date in the Department’s IT Systems by no later than 5 Business Days following the scheduled start date.

• System step — When a Provider Sourced Voluntary Work Placement ends, the Provider must end the placement in the Department’s IT Systems and provide an Exit reason.